Assessment & Testing

For assistance with Assessment & Testing questions, please email our office: testing@sdccd.edu. Make sure to include your full name and CSID number for a timely response.

What is Assessment?

Assessment is a process that is designed to assist students in determining which English and math courses they should start with, specifically identifying milestones (also known as placement levels) in these areas. Assessment also helps students in meeting course prerequisites. Students may also meet course prerequisites based on other factors such as college-level English or mathematics course completion.

Assessment via College Application
Students who have graduated from a U.S. high school within the last 10 years will receive their milestones (placement levels) based upon high school performance information that is provided on the application for admission. The college application (CCCApply) will identify English and math courses that students can enroll in by using prior high school history. Students will report cumulative, unweighted high school GPA, courses completed and grades received in English and math courses.

Assessment via Placement Assistant
Some students will need to update their milestones by completing the Placement Assistant. If you:

-are currently enrolled in a U.S. high school

-graduated from a U.S. high school more than 10 years ago

-completed the GED, or HiSet exam

you are eligible for this assessment. The Placement Assistant will identify courses that students can enroll in using prior academic history. Students will report cumulative, unweighted high school GPA and their completed English and math courses. Based on the information reported, students will receive an English and math placement milestone.

Students who graduated from a foreign high school should contact the Assessment Office for guidance.

The Placement Assistant link can be accessed below. Please use Chrome or Firefox - the program will not work on Internet Explorer. You will need your:

ID: (10-digit Mesa College I.D.)
U.S. High School unweighted, cumulative GPA
Highest High School English Course Completed (C- or better)
Highest High School Math Course Completed (C- or better)
HiSET or GED scores (if applicable) *The Placement Assistant Program will allow only one submission per student*

Placement Assistant

Please contact the Assessment Center with any questions via email: testing@sdccd.edu.

ONLINE ORIENTATION

The Online Orientation is one of the steps in matriculating to Mesa and is designed to cover important information about Mesa College to students. Once the Orientation is completed, there is a certificate that is e-mailed confirming the completion. This certificate can be forwarded to the Assessment Office via e-mail including the Mesa Student I.D. number to clear this matriculation step. You can e-mail us at testing@sdccd.edu.

English LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (ELAC)

If English is not your native language, you may benefit from taking an ELAC class before a college-level English class. Please contact the Assessment office for more information regarding ELAC assessment.

CHALLENGE Exam information

Challenge Exams (also called Advancement Exams) can help clear prerequisites for Mesa College classes after you have already assessed.

Challenge Exam FAQs

List of Challenge Exams

Math Department Website
Math Course Sequence