The table below is a guide for approved programs that want to evaluate candidates for the Basic Skills Requirement based on the option authorized by Assembly Bill (AB) 130 and 167 to mix-and-match two or more pathways for meeting the Basic Skills Requirement.

Basic Skills Subtest/OptionMinimum Score for ReadingMinimum Score for WritingMinimum Score for Mathematics
CBEST: Reading41N/AN/A
CBEST: WritingN/A41N/A
CBEST: MathematicsN/AN/A41
SAT: Math (taken after March 2016)N/AN/A570
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (taken after March 2016)560560N/A
SAT: Math (taken before March 2016)N/AN/A550
SAT: Critical Reading (taken before March 2016)500500N/A
SAT: Verbal (taken before March 2016)500500N/A
ACT: English2222N/A
ACT: MathN/AN/A23
CSET: Multiple Subjects Examination Subtests 101220N/AN/A
CSET: Writing Skills Examination Subtest 142N/A220N/A
CSET: Multiple Subjects Examination Subtests 214 N/AN/A220 
CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP): English"College Ready" or "Exempt""College Ready" or "Exempt"N/A
CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP): MathematicsN/AN/A"College Ready" or "Exempt"
CSU English Placement Test (EPT)151151N/A
CSU Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) AssessmentN/AN/A50
Advance Placement (AP) English Examination33N/A
Advance Placement (AP) Calculus ExaminationN/AN/A3
Advance Placement (AP) Statistics ExaminationN/AN/A3
Course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis 13 Semester or 4 Quarter UnitsN/AN/A
Course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing 1N/A3 Semester or 4 Quarter UnitsN/A
Course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics 1N/AN/A3 Semester or 4 Quarter Units

 

Footnote 1: If using coursework to meet one or more component of the Basic Skills Requirement, the following rules apply:

  • The candidate must have earned a grade of "B" or better (“B-” is acceptable) in the qualifying coursework
  • The coursework must have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university
  • The coursework must provide 3 semester units or 4 quarter unit of college credit
  • The coursework must have been taken for academic credit (earned units)
  • The coursework must be AA or BA degree applicable
    • For Reading, applicable coursework must be in the subject of critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis
    • For Writing, applicable coursework must be the subject of composition, English, rhetoric, written communications, or writing
    • For Mathematics, applicable coursework must be in the subject of algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics
  • If taken at a college or university outside the United States, the courses must be English based courses and must be deemed as equivalent to coursework taken at a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States. Foreign-prepared educators must obtain an evaluation of their transcripts through a Commission-approved Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agency. See leaflet CL-635 for more information.

The following coursework is NOT acceptable:

  • Professional development or continuing education units
  • In-service training or workshops
  • Non-credit bearing courses
  • Courses where credits do not apply toward the requirements for an Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, or higher degree

Note that out-of-state basic skills examination subtests cannot be used as a mix-and-match option.

Combination of BSR options

  • Must be approved by a Commission-approved program sponsor or the Commission
  • 41-BSR form encouraged, but not required
Updated March 24, 2023