On this page:

• Assessment Policies
• About the assessment
• Who needs to take the assessment tests?
• How do I arrange to take the tests?
• What if I have already taken the assessment tests at another college?
• What if I have attended another college?
• Sample Questions and Study Guides
• Ability to Benefit (ATB) Exam

New Testing Policies:

Assessment by Appointment

Due to an increase in students attending Los Medanos College, we are now requiring that students schedule an appointment to take their English & math assessments.

This process will help reduce wait time in taking the assessment and will guarantee a spot for you to take the assessment on a date and time that accommodates your schedule.

Schedule Your Appointment Here

One Time Per Calendar Year

Only one test is permitted per calendar year; therefore it is highly recommended that you review the study guides at the bottom of this page before taking your tests. Assessment testing is done by appointment during specified hours.

About the Assessment

What is assessment?
The English and math assessments help you to determine the appropriate English and math courses for your current learning needs. Testing is required before enrollment into English 90 or to enter into a math course beyond Math 12.

Assessment tests are taken on a computer. This is not a timed test. However, students should put aside 1 ½  - 2 hours to complete both assessments. All questions are multiple choice, and instructions are easy to follow. New students should plan to complete their assessment tests prior to attending a New Student Workshop.

You will receive your test results, including recommended placements, immediately after completing the tests. You will also be provided with clear descriptions of the subject matter covered in each English and math course.

You cannot "fail" the assessment tests or be denied admission to the college. The tests are a measure of current skill level only, not of intelligence or aptitude.

Who needs to take the assessment tests?

All new students planning to earn an associate degree or transfer to a 4-year college must take the assessment tests. English and math are required subjects for these goals.

Take the assessment tests only if you:

• Have never attended college before -- only new-to-college students need to take the assessment tests; students who have attended college before may be exempt from taking the tests -- and
• Plan to obtain an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college or university, or
• Plan to take English 90 or higher or Math 25 or higher, or
• Plan to take a course that has an English or math prerequisite

Do not take the assessment tests if you:

• Have attended college and taken English or math classes (bring a copy of your transcript to the Admissions Office, Counseling Office or Assessment Center), or
• Have already earned an associate or bachelor's degree, or
• Can provide proof that you have taken and passed with a "C" or better an English course equivalent to English 70 or higher and a math course equivalent to Math 12 or higher at another college or university, or
• Will be taking less than 6 units and will not be taking English or math, or
• Have taken assessment tests at another college within the past five years (in this case, bring or send your assessment scores to the Assessment Center for evaluation)

If you do not need to take the assessment tests, we ask that you submit an Exemption Request form to the Information Center, mailbox #25. The Exemption Request form is also available at the Assessment Center and the Admissions Office.

How do I arrange to take the tests?
Click here to reserve your spot for the English and math Assessment. Assessment is also offered at Brentwood Center during registration. See Drop-in Assessment Testing at Brentwood Center for drop-in hours.

What if I have already taken assessment tests at another college?
Bring your official test scores and/or transcript to the Assessment Center. You may be exempted from assessment at LMC.

What if I have attended another college?

Bring a copy of your college transcript to the Admissions Office, Counseling Office or Assessment Center to determine eligibility to enroll into English or math classes.

Sample questions and study guides:

Accuplacer Sample Questions

Arithmetic Study Guide

Elementary Algebra Study Guide.pdf

Sentence Skills Study Guide.pdf

Reading Pre-test.pdf


Ability To Benefit (ATB) Exam
What is the "ability to benefit" exam and who is required to take it?
If you apply for federal financial aid and do not have a high school diploma or GED, you must demonstrate by exam that you have verbal and math skills equivalent to those of the average high school graduate. The English and math assessment test is approved for this purpose.

How do I arrange to take the ATB exam?
Schedule an appointment to take the test. On the "Assessment Type Selection" page, select "ATB test".

Revised 2/3/10