• CUNY ASSESSMENT TESTS - (CAT)

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    READING    


    The CAT in Reading is an un-timed, multiple choice, and computer-based test in reading. It measures reading comprehension. You will be given several readings that may be practical or drawn from prose fiction, the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. Questions about the readings will ask you to refer to what is explicitly stated and to determine the meaning of words through context. They will also ask you to reason to determine implicit meanings, to draw conclusions, and to make comparisons and generalizations. The readings are like those commonly assigned in first-year courses in college. For each passage you will be asked a set of multiple-choice questions.

    Reading Practice Questions
    Guide to the CUNY Assessment Test in Reading
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    WRITING    


    The CAT in Writing is a 90-minute written essay test in which students are asked to respond to a reading passage that they see for the first time when they sit for the test. Standardized writing test that measures your ability to do college-level writing in English and assess your readiness for introductory college courses. In the test, you are required to read, understand, and respond to a passage of 250-300 words. The CATW is designed to test your ability to think and write in English, similar to the way you will be asked to think and write throughout your college career. It consists of a reading passage (the text) and writing instructions. You must read the passage and instructions and then write an essay responding to the passage while following the instructions. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. You may bring a non-electronic dictionary to the test (a paperback dictionary is recommended), bilingual if preferred.

    CATW Information Package
    Writing Practice Exercises
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    MATHEMATICS    


    The CAT in Mathematics is an untimed, multiple-choice, computer-based test composed of four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry.Designed to measure students’ knowledge of a number of topics in mathematics. The test is organized into four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry. Numerical skills/pre-algebra questions range from basic math concepts and skills (integers, fractions, and decimals) to the knowledge and skills questions from elementary and intermediate algebra (equations, polynomials, formula manipulations, and algebraic expressions). The college algebra section includes questions that measure skills required to perform operations with identities, right-triangle trigonometry, and graphs of trigonometric functions. Students are able to use the calculator programmed on the computer.

    Mathematics Practice Questions


  • CAT EXEMPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

    CLICK HERE to Prepare for the CUNY Assessment Test


  • EXEMPTIONS



  • Students are considered proficient in reading and writing if they can document any one of the following:
    • SAT I verbal score of 480 or higher or Critical Reading score of 480 or higher
    • SAT Reading Test (exam date March 2016 and thereafter), score of 26 or higher
    • ACT English score of 20 or higher
    • N.Y. State English Regents score of 75 or higher
    • CUNY Assessment Tests:
      • Reading Test score of 70 or higher
      • Writing Test score of 56 or higher

    Note: To be eligible to register for the first college-level composition course (ENG 101), students must be proficient in both reading and writing.

    Students are considered proficient in Mathematics if they can document any one of the following:
    • SAT Math score of 500 or higher
    • SAT Math Section (exam date March 2016 and thereafter), score of 530 or higher
    • ACT Math score of 21 or higher
    • N.Y. State Regents:
      • Score of 70 or higher in Algebra I (Common Core) AND successful completion of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher-level course.
      • Score of 80 or higher in Integrated Algebra, Geometry, or Algebra 2/Trigonometry AND successful completion of the Algebra 2/Trigonometry or higher-level course.
      • Score of 75 or higher in one of the following: Math A or Math B or Sequential II or Sequential III
    • CUNY Assessment Tests:
      • Numerical skills/pre-algebra (Math 1) score of 45 or higher.
      • Algebra (Math 2) score of 40 or higher

    • Students with a 3 credit college-level English course with a grade of “C” or better from an accredited college or university are considered proficient in reading and writing.
    • Students with a 3 credit college-level math course with a grade of “C” or better from an accredited college or university are considered proficient in math at all colleges.
    • Transfer applicants to associate programs who are not proficient based on the SAT, ACT, NYS Regents exams, or prior English or math courses must take the appropriate CUNY Assessment Tests. These applicants do not have to demonstrate proficiency to be admitted.

    • All students who wish to transfer from a CUNY associate program to a CUNY bachelor’s program must meet the college’s proficiency requirement in reading, writing and mathematics to be admitted:
    • Students with a 3 credit college-level English course with a grade of “C” or better from a CUNY college are considered proficient in reading and writing.
    • Students who have successfully completed Elementary Algebra or a 3 credit college-level math course at a CUNY college are considered proficient in math.

  • REQUIREMENTS



  • Local Writing Test: Students who tested in writing placement (CATW) at another CUNY school and scored below a 56 but plan on attending LaGuardia are required to take local writing exam to determine their English placement at LaGuardia.
    • Timed 60 minute exam.
    • One topic to prepare a brief writing sample to be evaluated by English faculty.

    Students who score less than 40 on Math 2 will be required to take numerical skills/pre-algebra (Math 1); a score of 45 or higher in Math 1 places students out of pre-algebra remediation.

    Ability to Benefit (ATB): Students who have a high school diploma from outside the United States must take and pass an approved ATB exam in order to qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The exam consists of sentence skills, reading and arithmetic.
    • Un-timed, multiple choice, computer-based exam.
    Note: To find out if you’re eligible to test for the ATB exam please speak with a Financial Aid representative located in C-107 (Enrollment Services Center).

    Effective for Spring 2016 and thereafter, first-time TAP recipients must meet or exceed all the following minimun cut points on the Reading, Sentence Skills and Arithmetic modules of Accuplacer
    • Reading: 55
    • Sentence Skills: 60
    • Arithmetic:34

    • Reading (ACCUPLACER): a scaled score of 55 or more.
    • Writing: a total score of 56 or more.
    • Mathematics (Elementary Algebra): a score of 57 or more.
      •  
      Note:
    • To be eligible to register for the first college-level composition course (ENG 101), students must pass both reading and writing placement.
    • Students who score of 45-54 ACCUPLACER Reading will be able to retest after 10 business days.
    • Students who score of 52-56 on ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra will be able to retest after 10 business days.
    • If students fall within the retest criteria they have one opportunity to retest regardless of the score on the retest.

    If you missed your initial testing appointment you can reschedule your exam by contacting the Student Information Center (SIC) at 718-482-5000.

    Note: You are only allowed to reschedule your testing appointment once. If you cannot attend the rescheduled testing date you will have to come in-person to the Testing Office located in C-428.

    New students are eligible to retake the CUNY placement exams if they meet ALL of the following requirements:
    • 2 years or more since there initial or last placement exam.
    • Haven’t attended any CUNY college for a minimum of 2 years.

    Note:If you previously tested and passed one or more parts of the placement exam you will not need to retest in that area.


  • CONTINUING STUDENT TESTS

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    READING    


    The reading comprehension test is given to students who are enrolled in remedial reading courses: CSZ 99 (Academic Reading Strategies) and CSE 99 (Essentials of Reading II).
    • Un-timed, computer-based test.
    • No set amount of multiple choice questions.
    • CSZ 99 classes are tested at both midterms and finals testing period (students who pass during midterms do not retest at finals).
    • CSE 99 classes are testted during finals testing period only.
    Note: The reading test is un-timed, however all test sessions for reading midterms and finals are scheduled for two and a half (2.5) hours. Students who do not complete the test during the allotted time will be rescheduled by testing staff to complete the exam on another date.

    1. Faculty submit eligibility for their students through web-attendance by the deadline date (dates vary based on Academic Calendar).
    2. Eligible students are sent an email to their LaGuardia email account with a link to sign-up for the midterm and/or final exam (the information is also posted on the students MyLaguardia page).
    3. Once students sign-up for the exam an automated email is sent confirming that he/she is registered for the exam.
    4. A few days prior to the test date students receive a reminder email about their upcoming midterm/final exam.
    5. After the test, students will receive an email confirmation that they have tested and were provided their scores at the completion of their reading exam (to be given to their faculty).
    6. Students who missed their test date will receive an email notifying them that they did not attend their test and needed to speak with their faculty instructor and the ELA or MATH department for further information.
    Below are retest instructions for continuing students retesting at midterms/finals for their CSZ 99 and CSE 99 course. Please, review the following instructions and guidelines prior to your test. On the day of your test, remember to bring a valid photo ID.
    1. Please, turn off and put away all cell phones and any other electronic devices.
    2. Countertops must be completed cleared. Food and beverages are not permitted in the testing lab, so please discard or put these items away.
    3. Dictionaries are not allowed to be uised during the test.
    4. If you have any questions we will be able to answer them before your exam starts. Talking for any reason during the test session is strictly prohibited. If you have a question or concern during your test, please raise your hand and a proctor will address it to the best of our ability.
    5. You will be asked to provide your Social Security Number or your CUNY ID number. Your CUNY ID number begins with "890". If you input a number outside of what we have in our system, your scores will not get into your CUNYfirst account and will impact your attempt to register for upcoming classes. If you do not know any of these numbers, please inform the staff during the check-in process.
    6. While we are checking in your fellow classmates, please take the time to read the Academic Integrity Policy that is listed in each exam cubicle.
    7. To leave the lab for any reason, you must receive permission from a proctor. Restroom breaks are permitted. You will need to provide your ID and sign-out. You have 5 minutes for a restroom break or you risk your test session being invalidated.
    8. Please do not write on the desk, computer monitors, mouse pads, or instruction sheets.
    9. If you would like scrap paper, please notify the staff upon check-in. Utilization of paper other than what the Testing Office provide is strictly prohibited. If additional scrap paper is needed, raise your hand and a proctor will give it to you; however, be aware the used scarp paper will be collected and new piece will be provided in its place.
    10. The exam is unlimited; however, this test session will conclude after 2.5 hours. Students who do not finish by this time will need to make arrangements so that they may finish the test on another date.
    11. At the conclusion of your test, you will receive a print out of your score. The passing exam score is 70.

    Best of luck on your exam!



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    WRITING    


    The CATW writing test is giving to students who are enrolled in the following remedial writing courses: ENA 101 (Composition I Accelerated), ENC 101 (Composition I: An Introduction to Expository Writing), ENA 99 (Basic Writing), ENG 99 (Basic Writing I), ENZ 99 (Basic Writing II: ACT Preparation Workshop), ESA 99 (Basic Writing for NNS of English) and, ESC 99 (ESL Selected Readers).
    • Timed 90-minute written essay test
    • Non-electronic dictionary allowed ( a paperback dictionary is recommended), bilingual if preferred.
    • All basic writing calsses are tested at both midterms and finals testing period (students who pass during midterms do not retest at finals).
    • Scores are provided to English department one to two weeks after the testing period.

    1. Faculty submit eligibility for their students through web-attendance by the deadline date (dates vary based on Academic Calendar).
    2. Eligible students are sent an email to their LaGuardia email account with a link to sign-up for the midterm and/or final exam (the information is also posted on the students MyLaguardia page).
    3. Once students sign-up for the exam an automated email is sent confirming that he/she is registered for the exam.
    4. A few days prior to the test date students receive a reminder email about their upcoming midterm/final exam.
    5. After the test, students will receive an email confirmation that they have tested and were provided their scores at the completion of their reading exam (to be given to their faculty).
    6. Students who missed their test date will receive an email notifying them that they did not attend their test and needed to speak with their faculty instructor and the ELA or MATH department for further information.
    Below are retest instructions for continuing students retesting at midterms/finals for their CSZ 99 and CSE 99 course. Please, review the following instructions and guidelines prior to your test. On the day of your test, remember to bring a valid photo ID. Below are retest instructions for continuing students retesting at midterms/finals for their basic writing courses. Please, review the following instructions and guidelines prior to your test. On the day of your test, remember to bring a valid photo ID.
    1. Please, turn off and put away all cell phones and any other electronic devices.
    2. Food and beverages are not permitted in the testing lab, so please discard or put these items away.
    3. When the exam materials are distributed, please do not begin writing or filling out the scan sheet until instructed to do so.
    4. You will be asked to provide your Social Security Number or your CUNY ID number. Your CUNY ID number begins with "890". If you input a wrong number on your scan sheet, it will impact your score transferring into CUNYfirst and you will not get a score report from the English department. If you do not know any of these numbers, please inform the staff during the check-in process.
    5. You may not rip the scrap paper out of the writing test booklet.
    6. Countertops must be completed cleared with the exception of approved items. All bags, books and other items must be placed underneath your table.
    7. Highlighters and white-out are permitted but may not be borrowed from a fellow student during the exam.
    8. One print dictionary or thesaurus, a total of one book, is permitted. Proctors have the right to go through it.
    9. Writing after time has been called is a violation of the academic integrity policy. When a proctor instructs you to stop writing it is imperative that you do so.
    10. Talking for any reason during any test session is forbidden. If you have any question or concern during your time with us today, please raise your hand and a proctor will address it to the best of our ability.
    11. Once seated please take the time out to read the Academic Integrity Policy that is listed in each exam cubicle.
    12. Please do not write on the desk, computer monitors, mouse pads, or instruction sheets.
    13. The exam is 90 minutes long.
    14. If you have any comments or concerns about test-conditions you will be able to express it to us on the survey/feedback form you will be provided to fill-out at the end of your exam.

    Best of luck on your exam!

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    MATHEMATICS    


    The CUNY Elementary Algebra Final Exam (CEAFE) is given to students who are enrolled in the following remedial math course: MAT 96 (Elementary Algebra).
    • Timed 100-minute final exam, computer-based (MAPLE TA software system)
    • 25 multiple choice questions, no calculators allowed.
    • MAT 96 classes are tested only during Finals period.
    • Scores are provided to Math department at the end of the Finals testing period.
    • The CEAFE exam is percentage of the students overall grade for the course.

    1. Faculty submit eligibility for their students through web-attendance by the deadline date (dates vary based on Academic Calendar).
    2. Eligible students are sent an email to their LaGuardia email account with a link to sign-up for the midterm and/or final exam (the information is also posted on the students MyLaguardia page).
    3. Once students sign-up for the exam an automated email is sent confirming that he/she is registered for the exam.
    4. A few days prior to the test date students receive a reminder email about their upcoming midterm/final exam.
    5. After the test, students will receive an email confirmation that they have tested and were provided their scores at the completion of their reading exam (to be given to their faculty).
    6. Students who missed their test date will receive an email notifying them that they did not attend their test and needed to speak with their faculty instructor and the MATH department for further information.
    Below are retest instructions for continuing students retesting at midterms/finals for their MAT 96 course. Please, review the following instructions and guidelines prior to your test. On the day of your test, remember to bring a valid photo ID.
    1. Electronic devices including cell phones are not allowed during testing. Please make sure they are completely off and put away. Students seen with a cell phone, additional notes or any other unpermitted items during testing will be dismissed immediately
    2. The elementary algebra test is a electronnic exam, and students will have 1 hour and 40 minutres to complete the exam (100 total minutes). Once the exam begins, the timer may not stop for any reason. Plaese be aware that we will do our best to resolve any technical issues, but the timer will continue.
    3. Do not write on the instruction sheet; we will provide you with scrap paper.
    4. If you need additional scarp paper, please raise your hand and someone from the Testing Staff will provide you with more. Staff will collect your old scrap paper before they provide you with a new sheet.
    5. The instruction sheet AND your scarp paper must be collected by the proctor before you leave the lab.
    6. If you have been approved for extra time for the exam, inform your proctors during the check-in process so that we can verify your approval and provide you with the proper test.
    7. On the third computer screen, you will be asked to click the "Online Version" or "Print Version" of the exam. You must click "Online Version" to register your score in the system.
    8. Use the Next, Back and the drop down menu to navigate throught the exam.
    9. If you hit the wrong button and your test is graded, you will not be able to go back, and the grade you receive will stand.
    10. Once you are finished with your exam, call the proctor over to ensure you have closed successfully.
    11. Please note that your grade for the exam will not show on the screen after you complete the test, and the Testing Staff will not provide you with your grade.
    12. To leave the lab for any reason, you must receive permission from a proctor. Restroom breaks are permitted, but the timer on your test will continue to run. You will need to hand over your photo ID, scrap paper and sign-out, and you will have only 5 minutes.
    13. If you have any comments or concerns about test-conditions you will be able to express it to us on the survey/feedback form you will be provided to fill-out at the end of your exam.
    14. Your grade will be sent to your instructor and to the Math department.

    Best of luck on your exam!