CUNY Proficiency Requirements
The City University of New York (CUNY) requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in English (reading and writing) and math in order to enroll in credit-bearing courses in the associated subject. Students may establish proficiency in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to meeting benchmark scores on the SAT, ACT, and New York State Regents exams.
CUNY Proficiency Index
Starting with the Spring 2020 entering class, students who do not meet benchmark scores will no longer be administered a skills certification examination; rather, CUNY will use a proficiency index to determine developmental education assignment. The proficiency index combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and/or New York State Regents exam scores. There are separate proficiency indexes for English and math.
What is the CUNY Proficiency Index and how will it work?
The CUNY Proficiency Index is a formula that combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and Regents scores to determine whether the student has a good chance of succeeding in a credit-bearing math or English course without any additional support. The CUNY Proficiency Index scores will be used to determine whether the student is eligible to begin in college level English and math or if remedial intervention is necessary.
There are separate proficiency formulas for math and English. Both use information that is already part of the application for freshman admissions: student’s overall high school GPA at the time of application, SAT scores, and Regents scores. If an applicant has both SAT scores and Regents scores, the formula will use both scores, but if they have only Regents or only SAT, it will use whichever is available. If an applicant does not have any relevant Regents Exam or SAT scores, proficiency in English and math will be assessed based on high school GPA or High School Equivalency exam scores. The formula places more weight on high school grades than test scores, but higher test scores can help offset lower grades and vice versa.</o<
Important Information On SAT and ACT exams
ACT and SAT Exams for Fall 2023 to Spring 2027 Admissions Cycles – SAT/ACT TEST OPTIONAL POLICY
Students will have the option to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. However, students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores, and should carefully review the information and FAQs on the SAT/ACT Test Optional Policy available here
CUNY has extended its testing policy to test optional through spring 2027. First-year applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. The admission decision will be based primarily on a student’s academic preparation in high school, including overall grade-point-average, course grades and the academic rigor of their high school curriculum.
Students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores:
- If a student has a particularly strong academic record and believes that their standardized exam scores do not reflect their full academic potential, they may elect not to send SAT or ACT exam scores to CUNY.
- If a student feels that standardized test scores improve their overall academic record, we invite them to send test scores.
- The absence of SAT or ACT exam scores cannot be used to deny a student admission.
CUNY and Baruch College recommends that students discuss this test-optional decision with their school counselor. Applicants may also contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for additional information. |
CUNY Proficiency Benchmark Scores
English
Students may meet the proficiency requirement in English by presenting official documentation of any one of the following:
Tests
- SAT I Verbal score of 480 or higher;
- SAT Critical Reading score of 480 or higher;
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) score of 480 or higher;
- ACT English score of 21 or higher;
- New York State English Regents score of 75 or higher
- Passing both one of the following legacy CUNY Reading examinations AND one of the following legacy CUNY Writing examinations
- Reading Examinations
- CUNY Reading Assessment (RAT)
- CUNY Assessment Test in Reading (CAT-R COMPASS)
- CUNY Assessment Test in Reading Comprehension (CAT-R Accuplacer)
- Writing Examinations:
- CUNY ACCUPLACER ESL Composite Score of 105 to 120. (effective October 1, 2022)
Course Work
- Receive transfer credit for a 3-credit college-level English course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited NON-CUNY college or university
- Successfully complete a 3-credit college-level English course at a CUNY college.
CUNY Proficiency Index
- CUNY English Proficiency Index score of 65 or higher
Mathematics
Students may meet the proficiency requirement in Mathematics by presenting official documentation of any one of the following:
Tests
- SAT Math (tested before March 2016) score of 500 or higher;
- SAT Math (tested March 2016 and thereafter) score of 530 or higher;
- ACT Math score of 21 or higher;
- New York State Algebra I (Common Core) Regents score of 70 or higher;
- New York State Geometry (Common Core) Regents score of 70 or higher;
- New York State Algebra II (Common Core) Regents score of 65 or higher;
- New York State Integrated Algebra Regents score of 80 or higher AND successful completion of an Algebra II/Trigonometry or higher level course;
- New York State Geometry Regents score of 80 or higher AND successful completion of an Algebra II/Trigonometry or higher level course;
- New York State Algebra II/Trigonometry Regents score of 80 or higher AND successful completion of an Algebra II/Trigonometry or higher level course;
- New York State Math A Regents score of 75 or higher;
- New York State Math B Regents score of 75 or higher;
- New York State Sequential Mathematics II Regents score of 75 or higher;
- New York State Sequential Mathematics III Regents score of 75 or higher;
- Passing one of the following legacy CUNY examinations:
- CUNY Math Assessment Test (MAT)
- CUNY Assessment Test in Mathematics 2 – Algebra (CAT-M2)
- CUNY Assessment Test in Mathematics 5 – Elementary Algebra & Skills Certification.
Course Work
- Receive transfer credit for a 3-credit college-level mathematics course with a grade of ‘C’ or better from an accredited NON-CUNY college or university
- Successfully complete a 3-credit college-level mathematics courseat a CUNY college.
CUNY Proficiency Index
- CUNY Mathematics Proficiency Index score of 60 or higher
English Course Placements
Students who are deemed proficient in English via the CUNY Proficiency Benchmark Scores or CUNY English Proficiency Index, may be asked to take a placement test to determine the appropriate course/section placement in English.
More information on English Course Placements
English As A Second Language (ESL) Students
Applicants who have spent at least six months or more in an institution where English is not the primary language of instruction are flagged as potential ESL via the CUNY admissions process.
ESL students who meet the CUNY Proficiency Benchmark Scores on the basis of the SAT, ACT or New York State Regents will be deemed proficient in English and/or math, regardless of where they attended high school.
ESL students who do not meet the CUNY Proficiency Benchmark Scores in math will be assessed with the CUNY Mathematics Proficiency Index; for English proficiency, ESL students will be evaluated in the following ways:
ESL Students Who Have A New York State English Regents Score
ESL Students who have a New York State English Regents score will be assessed via the CUNY English Proficiency Index. Students who do not meet the CUNY English Proficiency Index benchmark score will be required to take the CUNY ACCUPLACER ESL Examination to determine reading and writing proficiency and appropriate English course placement.
Baruch College Writing Placement
ESL Students who are deemed proficient in English and do not have transfer credit for ENG 2100 or ENG 2100T on their Baruch College transcript may be asked to take the Baruch College Writing Placement test to determine the appropriate course placement in English.
ESL Students Who Do Not Have A New York State English Regents Score
ESL Students who do not have a New York State English Regents score will not be assessed via the CUNY English Proficiency Index and will be required to take the CUNY ACCUPLACER ESL Examination to determine reading and writing proficiency and appropriate English course placement.
Baruch College Writing Placement
ESL Students who are deemed proficient in English and do not have transfer credit for ENG 2100 or ENG 2100T on their Baruch College transcript may be asked to take the Baruch College Writing Placement test to determine the appropriate course placement in English.
Note About CUNY Proficiency Standards
CUNY’s proficiency standards are subject to change pursuant to CUNY Rules and Regulations. The most up to date information will be available on the Office of Testing and Evaluation website.
