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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SAT AND ACT:

Effective fall 2023 through spring 2027 admission cycles, students will have the option to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. However, students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores, and should carefully review the information and FAQs on the SAT/ACT Test Optional Policy available here.

The University will continue to collect Regents exam scores and use them for proficiency determinations and will continue to run the proficiency index based on Regents exam scores (when available) and an applicant’s high school GPA. If an applicant does not have any relevant Regents Exam scores, proficiency in English and math will be assessed based on high school GPA or High School Equivalency exam scores.

What are CUNY’s proficiency requirements?

Students can demonstrate that they meet the University’s proficiency requirements in English and Math based on their SAT, ACT, or NY State Regents test scores:

English

Students may meet the proficiency requirement in English by documenting any one of the following:

      • SAT I Verbal score of 480 or higher or SAT Critical Reading score of 480 or higher or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section score of 480 or higher
      • ACT English score of 20 or higher
      • NY State English Regents score of 75 or higher

Mathematics

Students may meet the proficiency requirement in mathematics by documenting 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
      • NY State Regents:
        • Common Core Regents: Score of 70 or higher in Algebra I or a score of 70 or higher in Geometry or a score of 65 or higher in Algebra 2.
        • Score of 80 or higher in Integrated Algebra or 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
          • Sequential II or Sequential III

CUNY’s Proficiency Index

Students who do not achieve the required scores on SAT, ACT, or New York State Regents Exams can satisfy the proficiency requirements with:

      • an English proficiency index score of 65 or higher
      • a math proficiency index score of 60 or higher

Detailed information about the proficiency index is available below.

How do the University’s proficiency requirements affect admission to CUNY for freshmen?

Baccalaureate Programs

Candidates for freshman admission to a bachelor’s degree program must show that they are proficient in English and math on the basis of the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or meet the proficiency index scores  in order to be admitted.

Students who do not meet the proficiency requirements should speak to an admissions counselor to get more information about the best choice for their individual circumstances.

Three groups of students may be admitted to a bachelor’s program without first demonstrating proficiency:

      1. Applicants who already have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited program. (However, ESL applicants may be asked by their college to take Accuplacer ESL to assess their English language skills);
      2. Applicants who meet the proficiency requirement in math, who meet the University’s definition of ESL, and who meet all other admissions requirements may be admitted. These students must meet proficiency in English within two years of initial enrollment;
      3. Applicants who qualify for the SEEK program. SEEK students must meet the University’s proficiency requirement in English within one year of initial enrollment, and must meet the proficiency requirement in mathematics within two years of initial enrollment.

Associate Programs

Candidates for freshman admission to an associate program do not have to demonstrate proficiency in English or math based on the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or CUNY’s proficiency index to be admitted.  Students who do not meet the proficiency requirement in one or more areas have several options:

      • Enroll in a free summer/winter immersion program.
      • Participate in CUNY Start, Math Start, or CLIP.
      • Enroll in the necessary corequisite courses at a CUNY community college, or in an associate program at a comprehensive college.

Once enrolled in an associate program, students may be required to take one or more corequisite courses to build their skills in any area in which they have not demonstrated proficiency.

How do proficiency requirements affect admission to CUNY for transfer students?

Candidates for transfer admission to a bachelor’s degree program must show that they are proficient in English and math in order to be admitted.  Transfer applicants for an associate degree program do not have to demonstrate proficiency to be admitted. Proficiency requirements can be met based on the SAT, ACT, NYS Regents exams, CUNY’s proficiency index, or prior English or math college-level courses:

Transfer Students From Outside CUNY

      • Students with a 3-credit college-level English course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university (where English is the primary language of instruction) have satisfied the proficiency requirement in English.
      • Students with a 3-credit college-level math course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited college or university have satisfied the proficiency requirement in math.

Transfers from a CUNY College

All students who wish to transfer from a CUNY associate program to a CUNY bachelor’s program must meet the University’s proficiency requirements in English and mathematics to be admitted.  Students may meet these requirements via the SAT, ACT, New York State Regents, or the proficiency index. Additional ways of meeting proficiency requirements:

      • Students who have successfully completed the top-level remedial Reading/ESL Reading course at a CUNY college satisfy the reading portion of the English proficiency requirement. Likewise, students who have successfully completed the top-level remedial Writing/ESL Writing course at a CUNY college satisfy the writing component of the English proficiency requirement.
      • Students who successfully complete a 3-credit college-level English course at a CUNY college satisfy the proficiency requirement in English.
      • Students who have successfully completed Elementary Algebra (or approved alternative offered by the college) or a 3-credit college-level math course at a CUNY college satisfy the proficiency requirement in math.

What is the Proficiency Index and how will it work?

The proficiency index is a formula that combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and Regents scores to determine whether the student has a good chance of succeeding in a credit-bearing math or English course without any additional support. The  proficiency index scores will be used to determine whether the student is eligible to begin in college level English and math or if remedial intervention is necessary.

There are separate proficiency formulas for math and English. Both use information that is already part of the application for freshman admissions: student’s overall high school GPA at the time of application, SAT scores, and Regents scores. If an applicant has both SAT scores and Regents scores, the formula will use both scores, but if they have only Regents or only SAT, it will use whichever is available. If an applicant does not have any relevant Regents Exam or SAT scores, proficiency in English and math will be assessed based on high school GPA or High School Equivalency exam scores. The formula places more weight on high school grades than test scores, but higher test scores can help offset lower grades and vice versa.

What Proficiency Index scores are needed to achieve proficiency in English and math?

      • English: a score of 65 or more
      • Math: a score of 60 or more

How will English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants be assessed for placement into courses?

ESL applicants who do not meet the benchmark scores in math will be assessed via the proficiency index in math; for English proficiency, ESL applicants will be evaluated in the following way:

      • ESL applicants who do not have a New York State English Regents score will not be assessed via the English proficiency index. They will be required to take Accuplacer ESL to determine English proficiency and appropriate ESL or English course placement.
      • ESL applicants who have a New York State English Regents score will be assessed via the English proficiency index. Those who do not meet the English proficiency index benchmark score will be required to take Accuplacer ESL to determine English proficiency and appropriate ESL or English course placement.

Accuplacer ESL is a computer adaptive test designed for English language learners.  The results of the test will be used to determine proficiency and placement so that students may receive the support needed to be successful in their courses.  Accuplacer ESL consists of the following five test sections that are taken on a computer:

  • Writeplacer ESL: is a timed (60 minutes) essay response.  Students will read a brief statement and will be asked to write an essay in response to a question.  The essay response should be at least 300 words, and students will need to express and develop their opinion or point of view.  It is very important that students support their position by providing reasons and examples.
  • Reading Skills: is an untimed, multiple choice test consisting of 20 questions.  Students will be given a short reading passage and will need to answer questions related to the reading passage.
  • Language Use: is an untimed, multiple choice test consisting of 20 questions. Students will be asked to fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase and to choose the sentence that best combines two sentences.
  • Listening: is an untimed, multiple choice test consisting of 20 questions.  Students will be asked to listen to conversations with multiple speakers presenting different topics, and answer questions about the conversation.
  • Sentence Meaning: is an untimed, multiple choice test consisting of 20 questions. Students will be asked to select the word or phrase that either 1) makes the sentence grammatically correct or 2) indicates that the student understands the meaning or detail presented in the sentence.

The test sections will be taken in the order that they appear above. Students who achieve a composite score of 105 or higher will meet CUNY’s English proficiency requirements, and will be eligible to enroll in the required college-level English composition course.  Students with a composite score below 105 will be placed into the appropriate ESL course, based on their performance on the test. View Accuplacer ESL test preparation resources.

Can students appeal their Accuplacer ESL test results?

Students cannot appeal their Accuplacer ESL test results.  However, students may speak to the college ESL Coordinator if they believe that the course placement is incorrect.

How will ESL students be notified about scheduling to take Accuplacer ESL?

ESL students will be notified about Accuplacer ESL after they have accepted the offer of admission from the college they are planning to attend.  The college will send an email with a test appointment or instructions on how to schedule an appointment to take the test.  A valid photo identification is required to take the test. Students may not use electronic devices or a dictionary during the test.

Can the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, DUOLINGO, and other similar exams be used to satisfy CUNY’s  English proficiency requirement?

The TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, and other similar exams are used for admissions purposes only, and cannot be used to satisfy proficiency requirements in English.  ESL applicants who do not meet CUNY’s English proficiency requirements will be assessed via the Accuplacer ESL to determine appropriate ESL or English course placement.

How do students in a top-level ESL developmental course demonstrate proficiency to take college level English courses?

To pass top-level reading or writing ESL developmental courses, students must have an overall course average of 70% or higher. Course averages are determined by two factors: 65% of the grade is determined by the instructor, based on student performance, and 35% of the grade is determined by the final exam.

Who is required to meet the Ability to Benefit (ATB) testing requirement for NY State Aid eligibility?

All New York State residents who have a foreign high school diploma are required to meet the New York State ATB standards to be eligible for TAP and NY State Aid. Students are required to meet the scores listed on the following ATB test modules:

      • Reading: a score of 233 or higher
      • Writing: a score of 235 or higher
      • Arithmetic: a score of 230 or higher

View ATB test preparation resources.

Is it possible to make special arrangements for testing?

Accommodations based on disabilities will be granted to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students who wish to request such accommodations should consult their college’s Testing Office or Office of Student Services.