English Placement Test Information

About Guided Self-Placement (GSP)

Incoming fall 2024 students who have not transferred an equivalent course must take a first-year writing course. As explained below, a student’s placement process will depend on their English Language Arts Exam score or the absence of a score.

Current FSC students who enrolled prior to fall 2024 must reach out to the Writing Center to schedule their English Placement Test.

What is Guided Self-Placement (GSP)?

Qualifying students are required to take the Guided Self-Placement Survey. This Guided Self Placement survey is read by English Faculty members here at Farmingdale State College who will use the results to recommend a first-year writing course that is appropriate to the student’s level of preparation.

What are the requirements for placement?

The specific criteria for placement are as follows:

1. Students who have not completed the English Language Arts (ELA) Regents Exam:
   • Must complete the Guided Self Placement survey to register for a first-year writing course.
     
     
2. Students who have completed the English Language Arts Regents Exam (ELA) and scored between a 71 and 82:
   • Must complete the Guided Self Placement survey to register for a first-year writing course.
     
     
3. Students who completed the English Language Arts (ELA) Regents exam and scored a 70 or below:
   • Must register for EGL 097: Basic Writing Skills.
     
     
4. Students who completed the English Language Arts (ELA) Regents exam and scored an 83 or higher:
   • Register for EGL 101: Composition I, College Writing. 

How do I take the Guided Self-Placement if I’m required or eligible?

Incoming students required or eligible to take the Guided Self Placement survey will be prompted to do so in the RAM Portal. The link is provided in their incoming Student Checklist.

For general questions about the English Placement Test / Guided Self-Placement (GSP), please contact the Writing Center.