Early Start Placement

Incoming Fresno State freshmen will be placed in one of four categories for English and Mathematics, depending on their levels of readiness. Students who have declared STEM majors will be evaluated on slightly different criteria (see below).

The readiness categories determine whether or not a student needs to complete the Early Start Program in Summer 2018. The categories also determine placement in traditional or supported General Education (GE) courses during the academic year.

Students' placement information will be available on MyFresnoState in mid-to-late April (click here for directions).

 

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English | Math (non-STEM) | Math (STEM) | Glossary | Additional Resources

 

English

The Bulldog English Readiness standards apply to all incoming freshmen. Students must meet at least one criteria in Categories 1-2 to be exempt from Early Start English.

Category

Early Start English Status

Criteria

CATEGORY 1: Fulfilled CSU GE

EXEMPT
  • Pass AP Composition/Language Exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass AP Composition/Literature Exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass approved community college course with a C- or better

CATEGORY 2: Ready for CSU GE

EXEMPT
  • Score "Standard Exceeded" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • Score "Standard Met" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC AND pass Senior Course*
  • SAT: 550 and above
  • ACT: 22 and above
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.3 and above
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.0 - 3.29 AND pass Senior Course* 
  • Complete an approved "Remedial Course" at a California Community College (click here for a full list)

CATEGORY 3: Ready for Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

RECOMMENDED; NOT REQUIRED

(registration opens June 6)
  • SAT: 510-540
  • ACT: 19-21
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.0-3.29 AND 4 years of English

CATEGORY 4: Ready for ESP and Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

REQUIRED

(registration opens May 8)
  • "Score "Not Yet Ready" or "Not Ready" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • New SAT: below 510
  • ACT: below 19

*Students must pass an approved Senior Year-Long English Experience Course (ERWC, Honors English, AP Composition/Language, AP Composition/Literature) with a grade of "C" or better. If grade is "D" or lower, see Categories 3 and 4. NOTE: see Additional Resources for a required form.

View and download the Bulldog English Readiness Guide (PDF).

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Math (non-STEM)

The Bulldog Math Readiness (non-STEM) standards apply to incoming freshmen who have not declared STEM majors. Students must meet at least one criteria in Categories 1-2 to be exempt from Early Start Math.

Category

Early Start Math Status

Criteria

CATEGORY 1: Fulfilled CSU GE B4 Area

EXEMPT
  • Pass AP Calculus exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass AP Statistics exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass approved community college Mathematics course with a C- or better
  • Pass IB Exam with a 4 or higher*
  • CLEP*

CATEGORY 2: Ready for CSU GE Placement

EXEMPT
  • Score "Standard Exceeded" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • Score "Standard Met" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC AND pass Senior Course**
  • SAT 570+
  • SAT 520-560 AND pass Senior Course**
  • SAT Subject Math 550+
  • ACT 23+
  • ACT 20-22 AND pass Senior Course**
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.7
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.5-3.69 AND pass Senior Course**
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: 3.0+ AND pass Senior Course**
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: 3.0+ AND 5+ years of Math
  • Complete an approved "Remedial Course" at a California Community College (click here for a full list)

CATEGORY 3: Ready for Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

RECOMMENDED; NOT REQUIRED

(registration opens June 6)
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.0+
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: 3.3+

CATEGORY 4: Ready for ESP and Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

REQUIRED

(registration opens May 8)
  • Score "Not Yet Ready" or "Not Ready" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • Weighted HS GPA: below 3.0
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: below 3.3

*The IB exam and CLEP program will not fulfill CSU General Education B4 at Fresno State.

**Students must pass an approved Senior Year-Long Math Experience Course (higher than Algebra II) with a grade of "C" or better. If grade is "D" or lower, see Categories 3 and 4. NOTE: see Additional Resources for a required form.

View and download the Bulldog Math Readiness Guide (PDF).

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Math (STEM)

The Bulldog Math Readiness (STEM) standards apply to incoming freshmen who have declared STEM majors. Students must meet at least one criteria in Categories 1-2 to be exempt from Early Start Math.

 

Category

Early Start Math Status

Criteria

CATEGORY 1: Fulfilled CSU GE B4 Area

EXEMPT
  • Pass AP Calculus exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass AP Statistics exam with a 3 or higher
  • Pass approved community college Mathematics course with a C- or better
  • Pass IB Exam with a 4 or higher*
  • CLEP*

CATEGORY 2: Ready for CSU GE Placement

EXEMPT
  • Score "Standard Exceeded" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • Score "Standard Met" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC AND pass Senior Course**
  • SAT 570+
  • SAT 520-560 AND pass Senior Course**
  • SAT Subject Math 550+
  • ACT 23+
  • ACT 20-22 AND pass Senior Course**
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.7+
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: 3.5+ AND pass Senior Course**
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: 3.5+ AND 5+ years of Math
  • Complete an approved "Remedial Course" at a California Community College (click here for a full list)

CATEGORY 3: Ready for Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

RECOMMENDED; NOT REQUIRED

(registration opens June 6)
  • Weighted Math GPA: 3.3+

CATEGORY 4: Ready for ESP and Supported CSU GE Course Enrollment

REQUIRED

(registration opens May 8)
  • Score "Not Yet Ready" or "Not Ready" on EAP/CAASP/SBAC
  • Weighted HS GPA: below 3.6
  • Weighted HS Math GPA: below 3.3

*The IB exam and CLEP program will not fulfill CSU General Education B4 at Fresno State.

**Students must pass an approved Senior Year-Long Math Experience Course (higher than Algebra II) with a grade of "C" or better. If grade is "D" or lower, see Categories 3 and 4. NOTE: see Additional Resources for a required form.

View and download the Bulldog Math Readiness Guide - STEM Majors (PDF).

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Glossary

  • ESP: Early Start Program
  • EAP/CAASP/SBAC: Test taken in 11th grade
  • EAP: Early Assessment Program
  • CLEP: College Level Examination Program
  • CSU GE: California State University General Education
  • HS: High School
  • IB: International Baccalaureate

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Additional Resources

Your Pathway to College Readiness (PDF): A flowchart to help determine a student's Early Start status.

Exemption Petition (PDF Available in May/June 2018): Category 4 students may use this petition to request an exemption from the Early Start under specific circumstances.

Senior Year Experience Forms

Students who complete Senior Year-Long Experience Course(s) in English and/or Mathematics must submit the form(s) below upon completion of their course(s) to remain in Category 2.

WARNING:These forms MUST be signed by the teacher or a counselor, so students are strongly advised to complete them before high school staff depart for the summer.

English Conditional Readiness Form (PDF Available in May/June 2018)

Math Conditional Readiness Form (PDF Available in May/June 2018)

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