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Proficiency in Math and Non-ESL English

Proficiency in Math and Non-ESL English
Placement for New Exempt and Proficient Students
Placement for Transfer Students
Satisfying Developmental Need
Options for English Language Learners
Speech and Foreign Language Placement
Accommodations Based on Disabilities
Testing Center

Proficiency in Math and Non-ESL English

Students usually cannot begin a full program of college-level work until they have achieved proficiency in English and Math. Students can demonstrate proficiency when applying to Queensborough Community College by the following means:

English

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

  • New York State High School English Language Arts Regents score of 75 or higher

  • 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

Mathematics

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

  • NY State Regents Exam Scores:

  • 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

  • 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

Students who meet the above requirements for English or Math are exempt from developmental work in that subject. Students who do not achieve those requirements for English or Mathematics at the time of admission to the college will be given a numerical Proficiency Index for English and/or Mathematics that is based on their prior academic work and high school test scores (High School GPA, Regents exam scores, SAT scores). For students with a High School Equivalency credential, a Proficiency Index will be calculated from the subject area scores. For both English and Math, the Proficiency Index scores fall into three possible ranges:

English Proficiency Score Range - English Developmental Need

  • 65 or above - Proficient in English (no developmental need)

  • 50 to 64 - Light Developmental Need in English

  • 49 or less - Deep Developmental Need in English

Math Proficiency Score Range - Math Developmental Need

  • 60 or above - Proficient in Mathematics (no developmental need)

  • 40 to 59 - Light Developmental Need in Mathematics

  • 39 or less - Deep Developmental Need in Mathematics

Students who have a Proficiency Index of 65 or higher in English or 60 or higher in Math are proficient in those subjects and do not have to complete any developmental work before taking college level English or math courses.

Students with Proficiency Scores below 65 in English or 60 in Mathematics will have to complete developmental work prior to or while taking college level English or Mathematics courses. The score ranges above describe the extent of developmental need, either light or deep need in each subject. Information on the currently available options for developmental work are given in Satisfying Developmental Need in detail, including recommendations for students with deep needs and light needs.

In some limited cases, such as for students with out-of-state or foreign transcripts, a proficiency index may not be available. In those cases, students will be assessed for college-readiness during the admission process.

Proficiency For ESL Students

English as a Second Language (ESL) students will be evaluated for English Proficiency in one of the following ways:

  • ESL students who do not have a New York State English Regents score will not be given an English proficiency index. Students will be required to take the CUNY ESL Placement Assessment to determine English proficiency and appropriate course placement.

  • ESL students who have a New York State English Regents score below 75 will have an English Proficiency Index calculated. Students who do not meet the English Proficiency Index benchmark score (65) will be required to take the CUNY ESL Placement Assessment to determine appropriate course placement.

ESL students who do not meet the benchmark scores in math will be assessed via the Proficiency Index in math, as described above.