PLACEMENT PROCESS-Catalog

With the AB 705 legislation, students are not required to take a test to enroll in math, English, or ESL classes at College of Marin. California Community Colleges use high school GPA and guided self-placement to help students select their math, English and ESL classes. The best way to select the right math, English or ESL class is to see a counselor. A counselor will help you determine the best choice for your individualized educational goal. 

ENGLISH PLACEMENT PROCESS

For placement, select one or more of these options:

Recommended Placement by High School GPA

High School GPA and Requirements

Recommended Placement

Transfer Level

0.0 — 2.6

ENGL 150
with ENGL 150C

Transferable

≥ 2.6

ENGL 150

Transferable

Refresh and Build English Skills

HUM 101

Transferable

ENGL 120*

Transferable

ENGL 98

Non-Transferable

* Transfer to CSU only for elective credit

Please read the English course descriptions for more details. Students who do not remember or have access to their high school transcripts can use guided self-placement for English

Placement by Exams

If you have taken any of the following exams, it may improve your placement level. Please consult with us before proceeding further.

  • Previous scores for College of Marin Accuplacer placement tests (no longer offered)       
  • Scores from valid approved placement tests taken at other two-year California community colleges
  • An Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 or higher for English Language and Composition (see the catalog for the Advanced Placement Chart for College of Marin Credit)
  • A qualifying SAT score in English 
  • Valid 11th grade Early Assessment Program (EAP) results that satisfy placement conditions:
    - Standard Exceeded score on CAASPP for English
    - C or better in approved 12th grade English course and Standard Met score on CAASPP for English
Prerequisite Equivalency  

Completion of an equivalent course at College of Marin or another post-secondary accredited institution in the subject area (verified by a transcript)


ESL PLACEMENT PROCESS

Students with a U.S. high school diploma or the U.S. equivalent have the right to be placed through the English Placement Process even if they have taken ELL classes during high school in the U.S.  

For placement, select one or more of these options:

1. Chancellor's Office approved CELSA test
(NOTE:  The CELSA is currently on hold due to COVID)

2. ESL Guided Self-Placement Tool
You need your M00# to use the tool.

3.Counselor and/or Instructor recommendation
For more information, visit esl.marin.edu or call (415) 485-9642


MATH PLACEMENT PROCESS

Math courses will be determined by your major. See a counselor for advice.

Students will be placed using one or more of the following measures:

Placement by High School GPA and Requirements

All C (companion) courses are 0.5 unit, non-transferable support courses linked with a parent math course. For example, a student who places into MATH 115C must also enroll in MATH 115.

Statistics

High School GPA and Requirements

Placement

Transfer Level

0.0 — 2.9

MATH 115 with MATH 115C

Transferable

3.0 — 4.0+

MATH 115
STAT 115

Transferable

Pre-calculus and Calculus

To enroll in any of the following courses, students should have successfully completed intermediate algebra, two years of high school algebra or the equivalent. Students who have not, should enroll in Math 103. 

High School GPA and Requirements

Placement

Transfer Level

0.0 — 3.3

No high school calculus course

MATH 104* with MATH 104C 
MATH 105 with MATH 105C
MATH 109 with MATH 109C
MATH 121 with MATH 121C

Transferable

2.7 — 4.0+

Enrolled in high school calculus course

MATH 104* MATH 105
MATH 109
MATH 121

Transferable

3.4 — 4.0+

MATH 104* MATH 105
MATH 109
MATH 121

Transferable

3.7 — 4.0+

Passed high school pre-calculus course

MATH 123

Transferable

To prepare for Pre-calculus and Calculus courses

MATH 103

Non-Transferable

* Transfer to CSU only

Math Guided Self-Placement Tool

If it has been 10 or more years since you graduated from high school, please complete the Math Guided Self-Placement tool. You need your M00# to use the tool.

Prerequisite Challenge Process

Complete the Prerequisite Challenge form in your MyCOM portal. See the form for details. 

Placement by Exams

​If you have taken any of the following exams, it may improve your placement level. Please consult with us before proceeding further.

  • Previous scores for College of Marin Accuplacer placement tests (no longer offered)
  • Scores from valid approved placement tests taken at other two-year California community colleges
  • An Advanced Placement (AP) score of 3 or higher for Calculus AB or Calculus BC (see the catalog for the Advanced Placement Chart for College of Marin Credit)
  • Valid 11th grade Early Assessment Program (EAP) results that satisfy placement conditions:
    - Standard Exceeded score on CAASPP for mathematics
    - C or better in approved 12th-grade mathematics course and Standard Met score on CAASPP for mathematics
Prerequisite Equivalency  

Completion of an equivalent course at College of Marin or another post-secondary accredited institution in the subject area (verified by a transcript). Fill out the Prerequisite Equivalency form in your MyCOM portal. See the form for details.


TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A COUNSELOR

Counseling Department
(415) 485-9432

EOPS/CARE & CalWORKs
(415) 485-9605

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
(415) 485-9406

For more information about the guide self-placement process, click here to visit the assessment website.
(415) 485-9469
Email: [email protected]

Download the Placement Process At A Glance PDF