College Readiness

The "A-G" / College Entrance Requirements are a sequence of high school courses that students must complete (with a grade of C or better) to be minimally eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU).

"A-G" Requirements

(does not apply to Insight Graduates)

Courses from California high schools used to satisfy the "a-g" subject requirements must be certified by UC and appear on the school's "a-g" course list. 

These courses are to be academically challenging, involving substantial reading, writing, problems and laboratory work (as appropriate), and show serious attention to analytical thinking, factual content and developing students' oral and listening skills.

The Subject Requirements:

• History/social science (“a”) – Two years, including one year of world history, cultures and historical geography and one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of American government or civics.

• English (“b”) – Four years of college preparatory English that integrates reading of classic and modern literature, frequent and regular writing, and practice listening and speaking.

• Mathematics (“c”) – Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include or integrate the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.

• Laboratory science (“d”) – Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of the three disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics.

• Language other than English (“e”) – Two years of the same language other than English or equivalent to the second-level of high school instruction.

• Visual and performing arts (“f”) – One year chosen from dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.

• College-preparatory elective (“g”) – One year chosen from the “a-f” courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely in the elective area.

Colleges use placement tests in subjects like Math and English to check the academic skill levels of entering students. 

• The College will review the student's placement test results and use that score to determine a student's course placement.

Placement Test Preparation

• Take the placement test seriously. Your placement results will determine which classes you are eligible to enroll. Retesting is limited, so do your best the first time.

• Study and review. Study and review may help improve your placement results, particularly for math and chemistry, subjects for which you may not have recently practiced.

• Familiarize yourself with the type of questions that are used. Knowing the format of the questions can help you relax and concentrate.

• Get a good night's sleep and have a light meal or snack before arriving to the placement session. The English and Math computerized placement process may take approximately 2.5 hours. Being tired and/or hungry could hurt your performance in any session. There are morning, afternoon and early evening sessions. Sign up for a session when you are usually most alert.

• Work carefully. 

• How to Prepare for an English & Math College Assessment Test