English, ESL, and Math Placement

Assembly Bill 1705 (AB 1705) gives students the right to access transfer-level coursework in English and math, and credit courses in English as a Second Language (ESL) that lead to English 1. This applies to current and returning students, as well as students who may have started in a basic skills sequence, but never completed it.

AB 1705 requires California Community Colleges to help students enroll in and complete transfer-level coursework in English or ESL and math in a timely manner, which is within one year for English and math, and within three years if the student starts with ESL.

Standardized placement tests are no longer required. Students will be placed in English (or ESL) and math based on prior coursework completed in high school or through a guided self-placement, depending on when and where the student completed the coursework.

According to AB 1705, a community college may not require students to repeat English or math courses that they have successfully completed with a C or higher in high school or college. A student may be required to repeat a course, however, if the student's certificate, degree, or transfer requirements deem the course necessary. Students who believe they have been placed into a class that they previously passed and are eligible for an update of their placement results should meet with an SMC counselor to discuss their options.

Students who graduated from a United States high school or earned a GED® in the United States:

Students will be placed using “multiple measures” that include their high school GPA, courses, and grades reported on their CCCApply admission application.
Students may review their placement by activating and logging into their Corsair Connect account at smc.edu/cc, clicking the “Placement” tab, and following the instructions on the screen. Students who do not see courses listed are missing some necessary information on their SMC admission application and should consult a counselor. Students may also complete the “guided self-placement” process by following the instructions on the screen.

Students who did not graduate from a United States high school or did not receive their GED® in the United States, or graduated high school in another country:

Students will be placed using “guided self-placement,” a set of online tools that help evaluate how prepared students are with the skills they are expected to have before starting a particular math, English, or credit ESL class. To be guided to the best class for their needs, it is important that students read everything presented to them carefully, and that they answer honestly.
Students may access the guided self-placement tools by activating and logging into their Corsair Connect account at smc.edu/cc, clicking the “Placement” tab, and following the instructions on the screen.

Students should plan on completing their math and English placements together. Students may take each guided selfplacement only one time.

Please note: The math self-placement presents six (6) options based on a student’s academic and career path or the course the student is interested in taking. If a student is not sure which option to choose, the student should check with a counselor. Students may take any of the math guided self-placements only one time.

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About English, ESL, and Math Placements

For English, depending on their placement, students will start in one of two ways: (a) directly in English 1, a transfer level course; or (b) directly in English 1 paired with English 28, a supporting course.

In some instances, students may also be encouraged to take another reading or grammar supporting course. Some students may need to be placed in selected ESL courses. Depending on their placement, they will start with one of the following courses: ESL 10G and ESL 10W, ESL 11A, ESL 19A, ESL 19B, or English 1. ESL 19A, ESL 19B, and English 1 are CSU/UC transferable courses.

For math, depending on their placement, students will start in one of two ways: (a) directly in a transfer-level math course; or (b) directly in a transfer level math course paired with one supporting course.

Per AB 1705, students may not be required to repeat courses they completed in high school with a C- or higher grade. If your English or math placement in Corsair Connect places you into a class you already completed, please meet with a counselor to discuss your case. A counselor may issue you a waiver and place you into the appropriate course for your program of study.

Assembly Bill 1805 permits students to view annual placement statistics for English, ESL, and mathematics. These are available at smc.edu/successcenter.

Is Placement Required?

Completing the placement process in English or ESL and in math is mandatory if a student is:

A first-time college student enrolling in more than six units during the first semester at SMC; or
A continuing student who has not completed the placement process; or
Enrolling in an English, ESL, or math course for the first time (even if not a first-time college student); or
Enrolling in courses with required English or math preparation (prerequisites).

Based on multiple measures used as part of the placement process, students will receive an English, ESL, or math placement recommendation.

Placement Exemptions & Placement and Prerequisite Waivers

Santa Monica College provides placement recommendations and prerequisite waivers to students based on their past college coursework. For example:

Students may be exempt from the English or ESL placement process if they have completed a college-level English or ESL composition course with a grade of C (2.0) or better;
Students may be exempt from the math placement process if they have completed a college-level math course with a grade of C (2.0) or better;
Students may be exempt from selected English or math prerequisites if they have completed applicable college-level courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better (or P, if they took the courses on a P/NP basis) and the courses are equivalent to SMC courses that recommend English or math preparation;
Students may be exempt from the placement process or from selected prerequisites if they have completed applicable college-level courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better (or P, if they took the courses on a P/NP basis) and the courses are equivalent to SMC courses that require or recommend the evaluation of skill levels;
Students may be exempt from the placement process or may receive waivers for selected prerequisites if they received a particular score on an applicable College Board AP test (see Waivers Based on Advanced Placement Exam Results, below).

For detailed instructions on how to obtain a waiver or request an exemption, students should visit smc.edu/waivers and then consult with a counselor in the General Counseling & Transfer Services. Prerequisite waiver requests are reviewed on an individual basis.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who may be exempt from the placement process still must successfully complete — or receive waivers for — any prerequisite courses (or their equivalent) that are required for classes in English (or ESL), math, Anatomy 1, Biology 21/22/23, Chemistry 11/12/21/22/24, Film 31/32/33/34, Microbiology 1, Nursing 17, Physics 7/9/22/23/24, and Physiology 3 (among other courses). Students should consult a counselor in the General Counseling & Transfer Services for further information. Courses in other disciplines may first require the completion of a prerequisite course in that discipline. Placement/ prerequisite waivers may be requested directly from the department chair in that discipline, as required.

Waivers Based on Completed Coursework

Placement recommendations and permits to enroll in selected English, ESL, math, chemistry, life sciences, and physics courses may be issued to students if they have completed a relevant college-level course with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Students seeking a placement waiver for selected English, ESL, and math courses, as well as Chemistry 11 or Anatomy 1 should take a copy of their college transcript and course description to General Counseling & Transfer Services. A counselor will evaluate the course in question and, if appropriate, issue a waiver.

Students seeking a waiver to repeat a course at Santa Monica College due to a substandard grade (i.e., F, D, NC, NP) or a W, MW, or FW from another institution must demonstrate that the relevant prerequisite for that course was completed successfully.

Waivers Based on Advanced Placement Exam Results

College Board Advanced Placement test results may be used to determine the eligibility of students for English, math, and chemistry courses. Students must submit their requests online at smc.edu/waivers or bring their original AP test results to General Counseling & Transfer Services. Placement/prerequisite waivers will be issued under the following conditions:

A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP English Language & Composition or Composition & Literature exam will qualify students for English 2 and give 3 units of credit for English 1;
A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Statistics exam will give 4 units of credit for Math 54 [Note: A placement waiver for Math 54 only may be issued if a student wishes to enroll in Math 54 and the student has NOT been granted AP Statistics credit at SMC. Duplication of course credit (Advanced Placement and SMC coursework) will not be permitted.];
A score of 3 on the AP Calculus AB exam will qualify students for Math 7 and give 5 units credit for Math 2;
A score of 3 on the AP Calculus BC exam will qualify students for Math 8 and give 5 units credit for Math 7;
A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB exam will qualify students for Math 8 and give 5 units credit for Math 7;
A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam will qualify students for Math 10/11/13/15 and give 5 units credit for Math 8; and
A score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Chemistry exam will qualify students for Chemistry 11 and give 5 units credit for Chemistry 10 (no lab requirement met).

It is VERY IMPORTANT for students to have their AP scores evaluated by a Santa Monica College counselor. The evaluation will determine whether the scores are transferable and — more importantly — will help determine whether they satisfy a requirement relevant to the student’s education goals. While students can sometimes receive an immediate evaluation and decision from a counselor, the evaluation process can take 5-10 days for a decision. To avoid taking classes they don’t need, students should start the AP score evaluation process with a counselor AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Chemistry 10 Challenge Exam

Math Proficiency Assessment (MPA)

All students who wish to earn an Associate degree must demonstrate proficiency in written communication and mathematics. Mathematics proficiency is demonstrated by:

Completing a required eligible math or other course (see SMC Associate degree General Education requirements for specific courses) taught at an accredited college; or by
Completing the SMC Mathematics Placement Process or passing the math proficiency test administered by the Success and Engagement Center and completing an eligible rationality course (see SMC Associate degree General Education requirements for specific courses).

The Math Proficiency Assessment may be taken at the Success & Engagement Center during normal testing hours on a first-come, first-served basis only. Students must present a valid photo ID and SMC student ID number to take the MPA. Please visit the Success & Engagement Center webpage (smc.edu/successcenter) for information on the Math Proficiency Assessment contents and a study guide.

The Mathematics Proficiency Assessment may be retaken ONE time only, after a waiting period of two (2) weeks after the student first took the MPA.

Retesting Policy

Students may retest in chemistry after a waiting period of two (2) weeks from the date they first took the test. After that, they are permitted to retest once each calendar year, but only if they have not started taking courses in the relevant subject. Students who enroll in any of those courses will forfeit their chance to retest. For the Math Proficiency Assessment, students may retest ONE time only after a waiting period of two (2) weeks. See the Math Proficiency Assessment (MPA) section above for details.

Expiration of Challenge Exam Scores

Identification Card Policy

A valid form of photo identification issued by a government agency (e.g., a passport, driver license, military I.D.), financial institution, or high school is REQUIRED for testing. The Success & Engagement Center also reserves the right to request a secondary form of I.D. A student I.D. card may be used ONLY as a secondary form of identification. PLEASE NOTE: All acts of impersonation, attempted impersonation, and/or the use of fraudulent I.D. cards or passports will be reported to Campus Police and Student Judicial Affairs for review and adjudication. Campus Police will refer all such cases to the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.