Exceptions to mandatory assessment:

You may be temporarily waived from assessment if you:

• Are enrolling in only up to six (6) units during your first semester (fall or spring) AND are not enrolling in English/ESL, math, or chemistry classes. You will be required to complete both tests if you opt to enroll in more than six units or in the above courses; and before enrolling in the next regular semester.
  
• Are enrolling in only winter or summer classes (not in English/ESL, math, or chemistry classes).

Can SMC accept assessment results from other institutions?

• Santa Monica College no longer accepts assessment results from other institutions. Exceptions may be made under very limited circumstances, on a case-by-case basis only:
  
  • Out-of-State Students Applying to SMC: If you are planning to move to California after you are eligible to enroll in course work at SMC for a future term, you will be allowed to complete a placement test at another institution provided that they administer the same assessment instruments in use at SMC (see below for test names). However, we will apply our own cut scores in determining your placement eligibility.
    
  • Other Students: Only "reverse transfer" students who have actually completed coursework at another institution may use placement results from that college provided they administer the same assessment instruments in use at SMC (see below for test names). However, we will apply our own cut scores in determining your placement eligibility. The test must have been completed within the last calendar year.

Placement Tests You Must Complete

What will happen if I do not complete the tests but am required to do so?

You will not be able to enroll in your fall or spring classes until you complete the assessment process. Please note we are not responsible for any delay incurred in your enrollment as a result of not completing your placement exams in a timely fashion. A minimum of 24 hours is needed to update our test records and your eligibility into the college’s student information system.