CUNY Assessment Tests

Some interesting information we found out recently about CUNY Assessment Tests, specifically the College of Staten Island.

• Starting in Fall 2014, there will be strict enforcement of the CUNY Remediation Policy
• Students could be dismissed from the college if they do not achieve mastery of the Math, Reading, and Writing assessments within the year.
• Students can avoid taking the CUNY COMPASS assessments and subsequent remediation by achieving the minimum requirements for each area.
• Passing Regent scores are required in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry with 80% mastery in ONE of those Regents OR a score of 500 on the Math SAT. Students must also successfully pass Trig or a third year of a higher level math to opt out of the COMPASS assessment. All entering students are still required to take a math placement exam. Reading and writing mastery can be proven with a score of 75% on the ELA Regents or a score of 480 on the Verbal SAT. Students can retake Regents exams for these scores until June of their senior year in order to avoid the remedial classes.
• CUNY assessment formats are different than tests students are used to
• The math assessment is computerized and will not allow a student to return to a question once it is presented and answered. If the student's answer is correct, the computer program will present a more difficult example or a new topic. If the student's answer is incorrect, the computer will present a less difficult version of that example or topic. On the computerized Reading exam, once a question is answered students may only return to a question if it is based on the same reading passage.
• Importance of the CSI Compass Prep Workshops
• After a student is accepted to CSI, they will receive an invitation to attend a six hour on-campus workshop for each subject area (Math, Reading and/or Writing) in which they did not reach minimum Regents score. They get an opportunity to review the test format and complete sample questions. Students that attend have a much higher success rate.
• Remedial track options for students who have not passed the assessments
• If a student does need meet Regents requirements and subsequently does not pass the COMPASS assessment exams, will be offered a free SUMMER IMMERSION program and re-take the exams. If they do not meet minimum requirements again, they are offered other options:
• If they fail more than one assessment, they will be enrolled in CUNY Start: an intensive 12-16 week remedial program that teaches test-taking, college readiness skills, and prep for the assessments. This program will be in place of matriculation and their first semester will be delayed. This program is a flat fee of $75 and has a better success rate than CUNY Remedial courses.
• If they fail one assessment, they will be enrolled in a CUNY remedial course for that subject. This course is the same cost as a credit-bearing class (~$1,100), but gives the student 0 credits. The student will re-take the assessment at the end of the semester; if they fail again, they are enrolled in another remedial class and re-take the assessment at the end of that semester.

IMMERSION PROGRAMS AT CSI
The Immersion Programs are tuition-free intensive workshops that prepare students to demonstrate basic skills proficiency in reading, writing and/or math. Immersion programs are offered during the summer and winter intersession.

If you enroll in immersion, you save time, money and/or financial aid to apply toward your credit-bearing college courses.


-jmp