All incoming first-year students must take both the English Placement Exam (EPT) and the Entry Level Math (ELM) exam and have their scores on file with San Jose State University in order to attend summer orientation and to receive academic advising. Furthermore, if your ELM score indicates you are eligible for college-level math, engineering students must also take the Mathematics Placement Examination (MPE). See below for more details.
English Placement Test
The EPT is designed to assess the level of reading and writing skills of entering lower-division students so that they can be placed in appropriate English composition courses. Those lower-division students who do not demonstrate college-level skills will be directed to courses or programs to correct identified weaknesses.
The test is not a condition for admission to the CSU. The exam should be taken only once and may not be repeated.
Entry Level Math
The ELM examination is designed to assess the skill levels of entering CSU students in the areas of elementary and intermediate algebra and plane geometry. Such skills generally are acquired in three years of rigorous college preparatory mathematics courses in the high school.
Taking the ELM examination is not a condition of admission to the CSU. The ELM must be taken as soon as possible after admission to the university.
To register online for the EPT and ELM as well as receive more information about exemptions, test fees, registration deadlines and test dates, please visit the SJSU Testing and Evaluation Department website: https://testing.sjsu.edu/teptelm.html.
Math Placement Examination
Engineering students who wish to enroll in Math 19 Precalculus, Math 30 Calculus I, or Math 30P Calculus I with Precalculus are required to take the MPE. This exam does not exempt students from the Entry Level Math (ELM) exam. The MPE covers material from four years of college preparatory math, specifically: College Algebra, Trigonometry, and Properties of Elementary Functions.
To download the MPE registration form as well as receive sample problems and more information about exemptions, test fees, registration deadlines and test dates, please visit the Mathematics Department website: http://www.math.sjsu.edu/~calculus/. The college strongly recommends that you take the MPE exam before you attend orientation. Please note that you must take the ELM exam prior to taking the MPE exam.
