CLAST

College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)

The CLAST is an achievement test that includes four subtests: Essay, English Language Skills, Reading, and Math and is an admissions test for upper-level courses. CLAST is a test unique to Florida but many other states have similar tests with different names. Other tests will NOT substitute for CLAST. CLAST is required for an Associate of Arts and/or a Bachelor’s degree in Florida.

NOTE TO THOSE ALREADY HOLDING BACHELOR’S DEGREES: If you already hold a bachelor's degree and are entering the University to seek a second undergraduate degree, CLAST will NOT be required for you.

NOTE TO THOSE SEEKING TEACHER CERTIFICATION: State certification requirements changed effective July 1, 2002. CLAST scores are no longer accepted if earned/passed after June 30, 2002. A new test called the General Knowledge Test is required. It is best if you seek advising from your local school board office. The FGCU teacher certification advisor in the College of Education is Mr. Ed Beckett. His office is in the FGCU College of Education and he can be reached at (239) 590-7800. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO CONFIRM THE TEST YOU NEED TO TAKE.

Students must have completed at least 18 credit hours of college work and have completed English Composition I and II, and two (2) math courses (algebra or higher) to be eligible to take the CLAST test. CLAST MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE TIME A STUDENT HAS EARNED 60 CREDIT HOURS (including all transfer hours). A hold will be placed on your registration records as soon as 45 hours as a reminder that you should be working towards meeting CLAST requirements. Please note: even though CLAST is a "graduation requirement", it must be completed by the time a student has earned 60 credit hours. Once a student has earned 60 credit hours, taking the test a minimum of once per semester is required regardless of completion of English and math requirements as stated above.

CLAST (paper-and-pencil) is given once per semester and has rigid, non-negotiable deadlines. They are:

THE COMPUTER ADAPTIVE TEST (CAT CLAST) is also available at FGCU. The CAT CLAST is an alternate version of the CLAST that is administered and scored by computer for those retaking the test or taking it for the first time. Three CLAST subtests are available as separate CAT tests: Reading, English Language Skills, and Mathematics. The Essay subtest of the CLAST is NOT available on computer and must be taken on the paper-and-pencil test dates. Computer skills are not required to take the CAT CLAST.

OFFICE HOURS:  
9:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday
8:30 am to 5:00 pm Friday

*ALL TESTS ON TUESDAY MUST BE COMPLETED BY 5:00 PM (SUMMER HOURS) OR 8:30 PM (REGULAR HOURS)

A few times throughout the year we must suspend CAT CLAST testing because of other types of tests being offered. Registration for all CLAST testing must be done in person in the Testing Center for security purposes.

The FGCU Testing Center offers the CAT CLAST to FGCU students. Students at other institutions may take the CAT CLAST at FGCU with written permission from the test administrator on their home campus. The paperwork must be processed through the mail so students must allow at least 3 weeks lead time. The cost for the FGCU CAT CLAST is as follows:

All paperwork and money must be received by the FGCU Testing Center before an appointment can be confirmed. Computerized testing permits the student to view his/her score immediately following the test. Official score reports are mailed to the student approximately 2-3 weeks following the test and are mailed by the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Note: Computerized CLAST Testing for first-time examinees is offered at FGCU (the Essay sub-test is not available on computer). The cost is listed above. First-time examinees who would prefer the paper test may opt to do so at no charge. However, all retests are required on the computer which has an associated cost. The Essay retest will be done on a paper test date and there will be an associated fee, as with all retakes.

For test preparation information go to http://www.studyguidezone.com.

CLAST EXEMPTIONS

You can meet the CLAST requirement through exemption. Exemption for the Essay, Reading, and English Language Skills subtests can be earned as follows:

-Your grade point average (GPA) must be 2.5 or higher in English Composition I & II (at least one "B" and one "C"), with no grade less than a "C". Other English courses are not acceptable for exemption. Plus/minus grades are utilized in the GPA calculation. For example, a B- and a C = 2.33 GPA and would not meet CLAST exemption.

-OR-an SAT verbal score of 500 or higher if test date is April 1995 or after; or SAT of 420 if test date is prior to April 1995

-OR-ACT scores as follows:
---22 or higher in reading for reading exemption (test date Oct 1989 or after)
---Composite of 20 or higher (test date prior to Oct 1989)
---21 or higher in English for essay and language skills exemption (any test date)

You can be exempt from the Math portion of the CLAST if:

Your grade point average (GPA) is 2.5 or higher in two math courses Algebra or higher (at least one "B" and one "C"), with no grade less than a "C". A Statistics course counts as a math course.

OR-your SAT math score is 500 or higher if test date is April 1995 or after; or SAT math score of 470 if test date is prior to April 1995.

OR-your ACT math score is 21 or higher regardless of test date.

YOU MUST APPLY FOR AN EXEMPTION IN THE TESTING CENTER, IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC.

If you were awarded an exemption at another Florida institution your exemption should be entered into the FGCU computer system from your transcripts. You may want to check with your Advisor or the Testing Center to be certain this has been done for you. This would also apply if you have taken and passed the CLAST. Once a student meets the CLAST requirement, it is accepted at all State institutions.

If you enter FGCU already holding a Bachelor’s degree and are seeking a second Bachelor’s, you do NOT have to meet the CLAST requirement.