Assessment Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to take the assessment test?
Whether you’re a First Time Sierra Student, a Transfer Student or a Returning Student, the following guidelines apply:
Assessment testing is required if you plan to:
Take your initial English, ESL, math and reading class,Satisfy an English, reading or math prerequisite,Earn an AA or AS degree or a certificate,Transfer to another college and you are a first-time college student, or
It’s been at least five years since you took the assessment test and you haven’t taken any English, ESL, math or reading classes during those five years, either at Sierra or another college.
The assessment test may not be required, and prerequisites for English, reading and math may be met, if you have documentation of one or more of the following:
Completed coursework from another college (in transcript form),
Assessment/placement results from another college.
Results can be sent to the Sierra College Assessment Center, 5000 Rocklin RD, Rocklin, CA 95677 or faxed to the Rocklin campus @ 916-630-4513 or NCC @ 530-274-5307. Please include your Sierra student ID # and contact information. It takes about 3-5 business days to process results and transcripts from other colleges.EAP, AP, ACT/SAT scores (submit documentation to the Assessment Office or a Sierra College counselor.)
Make an assessment appointment.
Once you’ve submitted your application and you’ve received the acceptance email containing your Sierra College student ID number, you can sign up for an assessment test. Testing is by appointment only, so you’ll need to find out the campus-specific assessment schedule. Appointments can be made online or by calling the following numbers:
| Rocklin Campus: Make online appt. |
916-660-7430 |
| Nevada County Campus: | 530-274-5303 |
| Tahoe Truckee Campus: | 530-550-2225 |
You must make an appointment; no one will be admitted to an assessment session without an appointment, a Sierra College student ID number and photo identification.
Where are the Assessment Offices on each campus?
The Assessment Offices are conveniently located on each campus in the following buildings:
Rocklin campus: Room 180 in the Winstead Center (Building L)
Nevada County campus: Building N1
Tahoe Truckee campus: the only building on campus
What do I need to bring to the assessment test?
Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Bring your photo ID – a driver license, passport, school ID – and your student ID number. No exceptions can be made; you will not be admitted to the assessment session without photo identification.
Food and drinks are not allowed in the testing centers.
English Placement
Transcripts and assessments from other colleges, ACT & SAT scores, and EAP and AP scores will help determine English course placement:
|
Documentation | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| SAT (writing) | 680 or above | English 1A |
| SAT (reading) | 550 or above | English 1A |
| ACT (English test) | 24 or above | English 1A |
| EAP | Ready for CSU-level Eng. | English 1A |
| EPT | 150 or higher | English 1A |
| AP | 3 or above | Eligible for Eng. 1B/1C |
| Other college transcript | Grade of C or above | Counselor evaluation |
| Other college assessment | Counselor evaluation | Counselor evaluation |
All new students or those having taken an assessment at least five years ago and who want to take an English class will need to reassess.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement
Math Placement
Transcripts and assessments from other colleges, ACT & SAT scores, and EAP and AP scores will help determine math course placement:
| Documentation | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| EAP | Ready for CSU-level math | Math 10,13,17,18 |
| ELM | 50 or above | Math 10,13,17,18 |
| AP (Calculus AB or BC) | 3 or above | Eligible for Math 31 |
| High School transcript | C or above in Algebra 1&2 | Math 10,13,18 |
| Other college transcript | Grade of C or above | Counselor evaluation |
| Other college assessment | Counselor evaluation | Counselor evaluation |
All new students or those having taken an assessment at least five years ago and who want to take a math class will need to reassess.
Reading Placement
Transcripts and assessments from other colleges, ACT & SAT scores, and EAP and AP scores will help determine reading course placement:
| Documentation | Score | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| Other college transcript | C or above in Eng 1B/1C | Counselor evaluation |
| Other college assessment | Counselor evaluation | Counselor evaluation |
All new students or those having taken an assessment at least five years ago and who want to take a reading class will need to reassess.