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Guidance Resources » Benefits of Demonstrating College Readiness

Benefits of Demonstrating College Readiness

Benefits of Demonstrating College Readiness

Student who graduate with a Regents Diploma and have met the CUNY’s standards for proficiency in English and math demonstrate “college readiness.” Demonstrating “college readiness” can improve a student’s acceptance to 4-year CUNY colleges. It can also exempt you from a long and hard CUNY Assessment Test (CAT) upon entering college. Furthermore, it can exempt you from taking remedial classes that cost money and time. Lastly, demonstrating “college readiness” improves the school’s Progress Report grade. The most common method to show you are “college ready” is to score a 75 or higher on the ELA Regents and an 80 or higher on any math Regents. More information below.


(If you are not “college ready” you might not be accepted to a 4-year CUNY college. CUNY colleges may also require you to take the CUNY Assessment Test (CAT) in Reading, Writing and Mathematics to show readiness. You may have to study very long and hard for an exam that is a few hours long. You may also have to start college at a 2-year college instead of a 4-year college and take remedial classes that cost money and time without even earning a credit.)

CUNY’s Skills Assessment Tests (CATs)

Students who do not achieve the required scores on SAT I or Regents Exams can satisfy the skills proficiency requirements by passing the CUNY Assessment Tests in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Detailed information about each of these tests is available below.

WHAT ARE THE CUNY ASSESSMENT TESTS (CAT) IN READING, WRITING, AND MATHEMATICS?

Reading: The CAT in Reading is an un-timed, multiple-choice, computer-based test of reading.

Writing: The CAT in Writing is a 90-minute written essay test in which students are asked to respond to a reading passage that they see for the first time when they sit for the test.

Mathematics: The CAT in Mathematics is an untimed, multiple-choice, computer-based test composed of four sections: numerical skills/pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, and trigonometry.

Baccalaureate Programs
Candidates for freshman admission to a bachelor’s degree program must show that they are proficient in reading, writing and math to be admitted. Candidates who are not proficient in one or more skills may have to enroll in the necessary remedial courses at a CUNY community college, or in an associates’ program at a comprehensive college.

Associate Programs
Candidates for freshman admission to an associate program do not have to show they are skills proficient to be admitted. However, entering students who are not proficient based on the SAT, ACT or Regents tests must take the appropriate CUNY Assessment Tests. Once enrolled in an associate program, students will be required to take one or more remedial courses to build their skills in any areas in which they have not met the proficiency requirement. Students usually cannot begin a full program of college-level work in an associate program until they have achieved proficiency in reading, writing and math.

Requirements to Demonstrate College Readiness

Students must meet CUNY’s standards for proficiency in English and math.

A student can demonstrate college readiness in English with any one of the following assessments:
Assessment Minimum–Score Needed
NYS English Regents 75 – 75
SAT I Verbal – 480
ACT English – 20
CUNY Assessment Test Reading – 70 and
Writing – 56

A student can demonstrate college readiness in math with any one of the following assessments:

Assessment –  Minimum Score Needed
NYS Math Regents (any) –  80, plus coursework requirement
SAT I Math – 480
ACT Math –  20
CUNY Assessment Test Math – 1 – 35 and
Math 2 – 40
New York State Performance Standards Consortium PBAT – 80, plus coursework requirement

If a student uses a NYS Regents math exam to demonstrate math proficiency, he/she must also demonstrate completion of coursework through at least Algebra II / Trigonometry. Any of the following accomplishments satisfy the coursework requirement:
  • Passing a course identified as Algebra II / Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus, and also attempting (scoring 1 or higher on) the Algebra II / Trigonometry Regents or any A.P. / I.B. math exam, or
  • Passing the Algebra II / Trigonometry Regents exam or any A.P. / I.B. math exam, or
  • Earning two credits in a course identified as Geometry and earning two credits in a course identified as Algebra II / Trigonometry or Pre-Calculus, or
  • Passing a course identified as Calculus, or
  • Passing a course identified as a math class that results in college credit