Who has to take the test?

The following are required to participate in the assessment and orientation process:  Almost all first-time college students, some returning students, some transferring students, applicants who are not high school graduates, and high school students who want to attend college while still in high school.

Please use the following to help understand whether or not you are required to take the assessment test:

First-time college students (You have never been to college before)

Returning Students (coming back to the RCCD after an absence of one or more full term(s.)

Transferring Students (coming to the RCCD after completing classes at another college.)

High School Concurrent Admissions Students (You are hoping to enroll in RCCD classes while still in high school)

Former High School Concurrent Admissions Students (You took classes as a high school student, or at least completed the Concurrent Admissions test)

First time college students

Is this your first time ever in college? Then ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you plan to take 6 or more units?
• Are you uncertain of your Educational Goal and your Program of Study (Major)?
• Are you pursuing an AA/AS degree?
• Are you pursuing a Certificate?
• Do you plan to transfer to a 4-year college after RCC?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you are required to participate in the full assessment and orientation process. You will need to complete full general English, Math and Reading Assessment test, followed by an Orientation and 1-Semester Student Educational Plan..

One-on-one appointments with a counselor are not available until after you have completed the full assessment and orientation process. However, feel free to visit Counseling for a walk-in session any time they are available. Keep in mind that a walk-in counseling session does not meet your requirement for the Orientation and 1-Semester Student Educational Plan.

Once Assessment and Orientation are completed, you are clear to enroll in courses at Riverside Community College as soon as your registration date arrives.

Returning students

If you are returning to college after a period of absence, you may still have to re-assess in English or Math.

• If you took an Assessment Test prior to July 1, 2001, that test is no longer valid.
• If you have already taken an English or Math class with a satisfactory grade of 'C' or better, then you need not and cannot retake the test in that area.
• If you did not take an English or Math class then you are free to enroll in any class that does not have an English or Math prerequisite.
• If you want to take a class with an English or Math prerequisite, you must take the Assessment Test.

Transferring students

Some students transferring from another college will be required to test depending on various factors.

• If you are pursuing a degree or certificate at a Riverside Community College District campus, and if you have not taken any Math or English classes at your previous college, you will be required to take the Assessment Test.
• If you have English or Math course work from another college, these can be evaluated to establish whether they fulfill prerequisites to future coursework.  Please see step 4 of "Going to College" for more information.

high school Concurrent Admissions Students

All High School Concurrent Admissions students need to take the Concurrent Admissions Test.  Those who meet or exceed the minimum scores should include the teste results sheet as part of the High School Concurrent Admissions enrollment packet.

• If you do not meet the minimum scores, you can re-test after one full calendar year.
• If you also want to take the Math test, Spanish test or ESL test, you need to wait until your enrollment packet has been fully processed and approved.

Please visit the High School Concurrent Admissions page for more information.

Former high school Concurrent Admissions Students

Please note that you need to apply to RCC as a 1st-time college student and not a returning or continuing student.

Whether or not you met the minimum requirements on the Concurrent Admissions test, you may be able to use part of it to meet your English and Reading assessment requirements. You may also choose to take the English and Reading assessment test.

Unless you took Math as a High School Concurrent Admissions student, you will need to take the Math assessment test