Early Assessment Program and CSU Course Placement
The CSU uses CAASPP results, along with other test scores (ACT, SAT, and AP) as well as high school grades and coursework to place students in one of four enrollment categories:
- Pathway I: Fulfilled the general education math or written communication requirement.
- Pahtway II: Ready to enroll in a general education math or written communication course.
- Pathway III: Ready to enroll in a general education math or written communication course with support. Students in this category have the option to attend the CSU Early Start Program.
- Pathway IV: Ready to enroll in a general education math or written communication course with support. Participation in the CSU Early Start Program is required if offered.
Note: In addition, 13 of 23 CSU campuses (including SF State) allow students to supplement enrollment category guidance with a self placement exercise to determine the written communication course that is best for them.
At SF State, this means that incoming students should complete the online First-Year Writing Advising before choosing whether to enroll in a one or two-semester English course during their first year. The First-Year Writing Advising should be completed before students enroll in any courses during orientation. For more information on First-Year Writing, please check out the first-year composition page.
Also, SF State just launched the First-Year Math Advising, a similar exercise that helps students make an informed choice for their first-year quantitative reasoning (math) course. New freshmen should complete this exercise at mathadvising.sfsu.edu before their orientation date.