Registration / Placement Testing

Registration Day

The Registration Day is the date on your I-20, in item number 5, that reads, “no later than _________.”  This is the date that you will register and pay for your ELP classes. 

Come on Registration Day to the ELP office at 9:00 a.m. The United States Immigration Service (INS ) requires you to report to the school on the start date printed on your I-20.If you have an emergency that would prevent you from reporting to our office on the Registration Day, please call us to let us know that you will be delayed. 

International Students:  You will need to bring with you to register:

1. Passport
2. Visa and I-94 card (usually attached to the passport)
3. Original I-20 form
4. Medical form completed and signed by your doctor
5. Health Insurance receipt to show proof of purchase.
6. Two, separate checks (U.S. bank personal checks, Traveler’s checks, or Money orders) to pay tuition fees and health insurance premium (2 separate payees); or an authorized credit card or debit card.
7. Your local address, phone number, and email in the U.S.

U.S. Resident Students:  You will need to bring:

1. U.S. Passport; or Birth Certificate; or Resident Card
2. Separate Checks, Money Orders, or authorized credit card or debit card for payment of tuition fees and health insurance premium
3. Medical form signed by your doctor – all CSULA students (citizens, residents, and internationals) must have these immunizations and tests, so please make sure to get these before you report to school.
4. Your local address, phone number, and email in the U.S.

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Placement Testing

To assure proper class placement, the ELP evaluates the language proficiency of all new students – usually on the Registration Day.  This assessment includes a written test of listening comprehension, grammar, and reading.  This test is followed by a one-on-one oral interview with an ELP teacher who assesses the student’s speaking skills.  The student’s combined scores are then evaluated in comparison to the scores of all incoming students, and placement is made into one of 6 proficiency levels:
Levels 1 and 2 generally denote beginning proficiency; Levels 3 and 4 denote intermediate proficiency; and Levels 5 and 6 denote advanced proficiency.  Certain advanced students may test directly into the program’s University Bridge level (sometimes designated as Level 7), but this level is normally reserved for returning students who have already completed Level 6, the advanced level, of the program.