Resources

For Students

“a-g” Requirements
“a-g” courses are 15-unit pattern of college preparatory courses in different subject areas high school students must complete for admission consideration as a first-time freshman.  . . Learn about the “a-g” requirements.

Academic Preparation Brochure 
Use this guide to understand placement in first-year General Education English and math courses for first-time freshmen.

Academic Preparation English Poster (pdf) and English Flyer (pdf)
Academic Preparation Spanish Poster (pdf) and Spanish Flyer (pdf)
Learn tips on how to be academically prepared for college

ACT Test Prep 
Act Test Prep resources.

ACT Test Registration 
Test dates and deadlines, how to register, test centers, and cost.

Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) standardized exams are designed to measure how well a student has mastered the content and skills of AP courses. A student must score three or higher on the AP exams to earn college credit.

California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)  
A state assessment exam is one of the multiple measures utilized by the CSU that provides an early indicator of a student’s readiness to GE readiness for college-level coursework in English and mathematics.

CAASPP Practice Test 
The practice test helps students prepare for the Smarter Balanced English language arts and mathematics assessment tests they take in the spring of their junior year.

Cal State Apply
A CSU website that helps high school students learn about the CSU system, explore CSU campuses, plan their “a-g” high school courses, apply for admissions, and how to pay for college.

California Colleges Website 
The website provides information about higher education opportunities in California including virtual campus tours, counseling, and admissions planners.

CSU Degrees
A Database to search degrees offered at all 23 CSU campuses

Dual Enrollment
Students can expand their coursework beyond high school and take college coursework before graduating from high school.

EdReady 
A resource to help students assess and improve their math and English skills.

How to Get to College Website
A CSU website that helps middle school and high school students prepare for college.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB) courses designated as honors courses on the UC “a-g” list are awarded extra grade points for computation of the high school GPA exam. In addition, most CSU campuses award advanced standing credit for successful performance on Higher Level IB examinations.

Placement in English/Math Courses 
Factors known as “multiple measures” are several ways the CSU evaluates students’ academic preparation in English and math for placement in first-year General Education (GE) English and mathematics courses.

SAT Test Registration 
Test dates and deadlines, how to register, test centers, and cost.

The Official SAT Practice Test 
The practice test helps students prepare for the SAT Test.

For Counselors and Educators

Academic Preparation Policy (Executive Order 1110 ) 
Academic Preparation Policy FAQ (PDF) (pdf) 
Assessment of Academic Preparation and Placement in First-Year General Education Written Communication and Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Courses. 
 

Academic Preparation English Poster and Flyer (See Files in student section above) 
Academic Preparation Spanish Poster and Flyer (See Files in student section above) 
Learn tips on how to be academically prepared for college

Center for the Advancement of Reading and Writing (CAR/W) 
CAR/W supports California State University's campuses and other stakeholders to ensure the preparation of highly skilled teachers and literacy specialists for California's students.

Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum (ERWC) 
This innovative curriculum—born at CSU—has changed how English teachers prepare high school students for college. Using rhetorical inquiry to encourage critical thinking, students learn strategies that help them thrive in college.

Center for Advancement of Instruction in Quantitative Reasoning (CAIQR) 
The Center for the Advancement of Instruction in Quantitative Reasoning (CAIQR) is tasked to continuously support the high-quality instruction and curriculum in the high schools, community colleges, and public universities that will better serve the state of California and the U.S.

CSU Student Information Dashboard 
Statistical data on CSU enrollment, continuation and graduation rates

Fact Booklet 
Facts about the CSU.

MDTP Testing Project  
Diagnostic readiness tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and available to schools in California.

Graduation Initiative 2025 
Graduation Initiative 2025 is California State University’s ambitious initiative to increase graduation rates for all CSU students while eliminating opportunity and achievement gaps.

CSU’s High School Success Dashboard 
This interactive website shares data on the college preparation and progress of California high school students that enrolled in a CSU campus.

California Assessments of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)  
Resources and Communication Materials.

CAASPP/EAP Results  
Smarter Balanced CAASPP/EAP results.

Smarter Balanced Assessment System Overview  
A quick reference guide on how to look up test results.

CAASPP Practice Test Resources  
Teacher resources for the online CAASPP Practice and Training Tests.

Academic Preparation Brochure
Use this guide to understand placement in first-year General Education English and math courses for first-time freshmen.