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.
Starting with the spring 2020 entering class, students who do not meet benchmark scores will no longer be administered a placement test; 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 Regents exam scores. There are separate proficiency indexes for English and math. See the CUNY testing website for the benchmark scores that demonstrate proficiency.
Proficiency index scores that fall below the benchmark scores indicate students are in need of some type of developmental support. Students who do not meet the index score for English will be enrolled in a co-requisite English course; for math, students will be enrolled in our two-semester credit-bearing Statistics course.
Contact Us
Academic Testing Center
646-313-8856
Room: 207Q
Testing@guttman.cuny.edu
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
ESL Accuplacer (English as a second language placement)
Freshman 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 benchmark scores on 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 benchmark scores in math will be assessed via the proficiency index in math; for English proficiency, ESL students will be evaluated in the following way:
- ESL students who do not have a New York State English Regents score will not be assessed via the English proficiency index. Students will be required to take the CUNY Assessment Test in Writing (CATW) to determine reading and writing proficiency and appropriate course placement.
- ESL students who have a New York State English Regents score will be assessed via the English proficiency index. Students who do not meet the English proficiency index benchmark score will be required to take the CUNY Assessment Test in Writing (CATW) to determine appropriate course placement.
Ability-to-Benefit Test (ATB)
All New York State residents who have a foreign high school diploma are required to meet the New York State ATB standards to be eligible for New York State Financial Aid awards, including those under the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Students are required to meet the scores listed on the following Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) test requirements:
To take the Ability to Benefit (ATB) test at Guttman Community College, you must meet the following three requirements:
- You must be a GCC admitted and register student
- You must seek financial aid awards under the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and/or NY State Aid
- You do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) from a United States high school
Fulfilling ATB Testing Requirement
The ATB Test is untimed and comprised of 3 parts (Reading, Arithmetic, and Writing). You should plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes on each part of the test, so about 2 to 4 hours altogether. Passing Scores set as the qualification for ATB are one standard deviation below the mean for test takers graduating from high school who have taken ACCUPLACER in the last three years. The approved passing scores shown below apply to both the computer-adaptive and COMPANION versions of each test:
Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test Score Chart
| TEST SECTION | REQUIRED PASSING SCORE | MAXIMUM SCORE | NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | 233 | 300 | 20 |
| Arithmetic | 230 | 300 | 20 |
| Writing | 235 | 300 | 25 |
Deadlines
Students must take the ATB Test and pass by the add/drop period of the term you are seeking the award for. However, we recommend you take the ATB Test as soon as possible. If you need to retake any part(s) of the test, you can do so before the deadline if you are eligible.
Retest Policy
You must wait the full 14 calendar days (about 2 weeks) from the date of the previous test administration before attempting to administer a retest. Students who do not pass any of the three exams during initial testing are permitted to retest the exam(s).
Sign-up for your ATB Test
Expectations for Students in the Academic Test Center
Study and Test Preparation Guide: (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic)
Accommodations
Students who require testing accommodations (e.g., extended time, readers/scribes, etc.) must contact the Office of AccessAbility Services (OAS) to arrange the exam appointment. Our office will contact you once OAS informs us of your accommodation requirements. Please continue scheduling if you do not require testing accommodations.
Student Expectations
On the day of your test, we aim to create a calm, efficient, and supportive environment to help you perform your best. Here’s what you can expect:
| Dos | Don’ts: |
|---|---|
| Bring a form of Identification: Driver’s license, High school or college ID, State or federal ID card, Military ID card, Passport, Tribal ID card | No FOOD AND DRINK of any kind or chewing gum are allowed in the testing room |
| Naturalization card or certificate of citizenship | No electronic devices are permitted in the testing room, all electronic devices including cell phones and watches are to be turned off and put away during your test session. |
| Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the exam start time. Late arrival will require a rescheduling of your exam. | Restroom: Students are advised to use the restroom before entering the exam area. Leaving and re-entry to the testing room during a test, except for medical emergencies, will not be permitted. |
| Seating: Proctors will assign each student a seat. You are not permitted to choose your own seat. | Personal Belongings: Only authorized materials are allowed on the desktop while testing. Personal belongings such as backpacks, bags, books, notes, calculators, headphones, cell phones, tablets, MP3 players, computing devices, or any device capable of recording audio, photographic, or video content, or capable of viewing or playing back such content will not be allowed on the testing surface and must be placed in an area designated by the testing staff. |
| Follow all instructions provided by the proctor | Quiet Please! No one, other than the student who is taking the exam, is allowed in the room used for testing. Children are not allowed in the room(s) used for testing. Please make other arrangements for children. |
Ability To Benefit (ATB) FAQs
This section provides answers to frequently asked questions relating to the Ability to Benefit (ATB) Tests for New York State Aid Eligibility. All New York State residents who have a high school diploma from outside the United States are required to meet the New York State ATB standards to be eligible for TAP and NY State Aid. The ATB Test is untimed, multiple choice, computer-based and comprised of 3 sections: Reading, Arithmetic, and Writing. You should plan to spend approximately 60 to 90 minutes on each section of the test.
Why do I need to take the Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test?
If you are a New York resident with a high school diploma from outside the United States and are applying for TAP/NY State Aid, you are required to take the ATB test as one of the requisites to receive TAP/NY State Aid.
Is the ATB Test being administered in-person or remotely?
The Ability To Benefit (ATB) Test is only being administered in-person.
How do I schedule an ATB Test?
To schedule your ATB Test please contact us by calling us at (646) 313-8856, or via email at testing@guttman.cuny.edu
How long is the ATB Test?
The ATB Test is untimed and comprised of 3 parts (Reading, Arithmetic, and Writing). You should plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes on each part of the test, so about 2 to 4 hours altogether.
Can I retake the ATB Test if needed?
Yes. If you do not pass your initial ATB Test, you are eligible to retest fourteen (14) calendar days after the previous failed attempt.
When is the deadline to take the ATB Test to qualify for TAP/NY State Aid?
You must take the ATB Test and pass by the add/drop period of the term you are seeking the award for. However, we recommend you take the ATB Test as soon as possible. If you need to retake any part(s) of the test, you can do so before the deadline if you are eligible.
Can I take the ATB after deadline?
Yes, you may take the ATB Test after the deadline. However, you will not be eligible for NY State Aid/TAP in that semester.
I got TAP/NY State Aid in my previous school; do I still need to take the ATB test?
Yes, if you have been informed that you need to take the ATB Test, you can contact our office for further assistance. If you are not sure whether you are required to take the ATB Test, you should send an email to the Office of Admissions at admissions@guttman.cuny.edu
I still have not received TAP/NY State Aid; what should I do?
If you have any questions about your TAP/NY State Aid status, you should contact the Financial Aid Office
I’m an international student; do I qualify for TAP and/or NY State Aid?
You may contact the Financial Aid Office for any questions about your TAP/NY State Aid eligibility. However, if you need to take the ATB Test, by calling us at (646) 313-8856, or via email at testing@guttman.cuny.edu
Next Steps? After Test Completion
Please allow 2-3 calendar days for processing of test results, the testing office will notify students who do not pass the test via email.
Test results can also be viewed on the ACCUPLACER Student Portal – The College Board