What is the College-Level Academic Skills
Test (CLAST)?
The CLAST is an achievement assessment that
measures selected communication and mathematics skills. It includes
four subtests: essay,
English language skills, reading, and mathematics.
The mathematics, reading and English language skills subtests
are multiple-choice. The essay test requires written composition
on one of two provided topics.
There are several ways students may prepare
for the CLAST.
- Our Web page offers preparation materials
in English
language skills, reading, mathematics
and writing.
These same materials are available in a printed format in campus
learning centers.
- Kent Campus offers a $41 CLAST “Coaching for Success”
program that may be completed online.
- Each term, one credit CLAST preparation courses are offered
in a traditional classroom setting.
- All campus learning center tutors are prepared to assist students
in preparing for the CLAST.
- Mathematics practice for the CLAST at University of South Florida.
Demonstrating attainment of basic
college-level communications and mathematics skills is required
for the award of an associate in arts degree from a community
college or state university and admission to upper-division status
in a state university or receipt of a baccalaureate degree from
a state university.
The CLAST is one measure of students’ academic proficiency.
Effective Jan. 1, 1996, three alternative ways to demonstrate
attainment of the required communications and mathematics skills
were defined.
- Students with a 2.5 GPA in two out of
three courses of LIT 2000, ENC 1101 and ENC 1102 may request
a CLAST alternative exemption from the essay, English language
skills and reading subtests of the CLAST. Students with a 2.5
GPA in college-level mathematics courses (excluding MAT 1033)
may request a CLAST alternative exemption from the mathematics
subtest.
- Students with an ACT score of 21 or higher
on mathematics or English and a 22 or higher on reading may
request a CLAST alternative exemption.
- Students with an SAT score of 500 or higher
on verbal or mathematics may request a CLAST alternative exemption.
Students register and pay to take the CLAST through Artemis. Students
taking the CLAST for the first time
must have completed 18 credit hours as well as required reading
and English general education requirements in order to register
for the three communication subtests (Essay, Writing and/or Reading).
To take the mathematics subtest, students must have successfully
completed two mathematics courses at or above college algebra.
These eligibility requirements are waived for students demonstrating
they are ready to graduate. Students
retaking all or part of the CLAST are required to contact
Sheila Davis at 381-3705 to register for the test; they must also
meet with a campus CLAST resource specialist before retaking the
test. The specialist assists the student in developing a study
plan which MUST be completed prior to retaking the CLAST
CLS 0001 is for students
taking all sections of the CLAST
for the first time.
CLS 0002 is for students taking
only the mathematics portion for
the first time.
CLS 0003 is for students taking one or more of the communications
sections (essay, writing or reading) for
the first time.
CLS 0004 is for students retaking
any portion of the CLAST. Students may drop CLS 0004 on the Friday
before the test and receive a refund. Otherwise the fee is non-refundable
and non-transferable.
Florida Community College members may take
the CLAST assessment for the first time at no cost. FCCJ members
pay a $25.00 non-refundable and non-transferable fee for the second
and any subsequent tests. Non-degree seeking students are required to pay a $35
non-refundable fee.
The Commissioner of Education has established the following registration
and assessment dates for the CLAST:
| Friday, January 19, 2007 |
Saturday, February 17, 2007 |
| Friday, May 4, 2007 |
Saturday, June 2, 2007 |
| Friday, September 7, 2007 |
Saturday, October 6, 2007 |
| Friday, January 18, 2008 |
Saturday, February 16, 2008 |
| Friday, May 9, 2008 |
Saturday, June 7, 2008 |
| Friday, September 5, 2008 |
Saturday, October 4, 2008 |
An alternate administration is held on
Tuesday following each regular administration of the CLAST. This
administration is open only to students who were registered for
but could not participate in the regular administration because
of health or religious reasons, duty assignment in the military,
administrative error on the part of the institution, or participation
in an authorized school function. To request attendance at the
alternate administration contact Judy
Jones–Liptrot at South Campus 904.646.2257 for more
information.
In addition, students can register for the Computerize Adaptive Test CLAST. This is the computerized version of the paper-and-pencil CLAST exam that is offered throughout the year. The computerized version allows you to take any section, excluding essay portion, of the CLAST exam in a computerized format.
Students can register to take the computerized CLAST exam by contacting Florida Community College-South Campus assessment center (904.646.2040). The cost for the CAT-CLAST exam is $35.00.
Passing scores on the CLAST have been established
by the State Board of Education as follows. A student is required
to present scores which meet the standards that are in effect
at the time he or she first takes the assessment.
| Aug. 1, 1984-July 31, 1986 |
4 |
265 |
260 |
260 |
| Aug. 1, 1986-July
31, 1989 |
4 |
270 |
270 |
275 |
| Aug. 1, 1989-Sept. 30, 1991 |
4 |
295 |
295 |
285 |
| Oct. 1, 1991-Sept. 30, 1992 |
5* |
295 |
295 |
290 |
| Oct. 1, 1992 and thereafter |
6 |
295 |
295 |
295 |
*In Oct. 1991, the essay scoring scale was
revised. A score of 5 on the revised scale is equivalent to a score
of 4 on the former scale.
Students who have not passed all four subtests and who are seeking
a baccalaureate degree may be required to pass at least three subtests
before they are allowed to earn more than 60 degree credits; they
also may be required to pass all four subtests before they are allowed
to earn more that 96 degree credits.
Students who have not passed a subtest of the CLAST may retake it
during any subsequent administration for which they are properly
registered. Florida Community College students retaking the CLAST
must contact their CLAST
resource specialist prior to registering. Before the assessment
date, students retaking the CLAST must have completed their remediation
and are required to bring their completed and signed "remediation
prescription" with them to the assessment.
CLAST retake paper and pencil examinations are given three times
per year at Florida Community College Kent Campus. Florida Community
College students may also retake the CLAST on computer by appointment
at Florida Community College-South Campus (essay is not available).
To register, contact South Campus assessment and certification center at 904.646.2040 for more information. The cost of the CAT-CLAST exam is $35.00.
Students may retake an examination no sooner that the thirty-first
(31st) day after any previous administration date, regardless of
whether the previous administration was a regular administration,
a special administration, or a computer-adaptive (CAT) administration.
If a student takes a subtest of the CLAST before the thirty-first
(31st) day, the score(s) will be invalidated by the State of Florida
and no score report will be mailed.
Students may not retake any CLAST subtest for which they already
have a passing score.
Students who are in a distance education program at Florida Community College and living outside of the Florida area may be eligible to take the CLAST in their state. More information is provided by going to the CLAST Remote Test Site Proctor Request Form.
The CLAST is administered at South and Kent
Campuses. It is administered to retakes who are taking the paper-and-pencil version during the State’s designated dates at Kent Campus only. Students
retaking the CLAST on computer may contact the assessment center at South Campus 904.646.2040 to schedule an appointment.
The total assessment time for the
CLAST is approximately five hours, which includes the time required
for arrival, instructions, and a break. The time allotted for each
subtest is as follows:
Essay subtest – 60 minutes
English Language Skills and Reading subtests - 80 minutes
Mathematics subtest – 90 minutes
Retake examinees are allowed double time for each subtest.
Assessment results are mailed by
the State of Florida to students approximately six weeks after the
assessment administration.
Yes. Adaptations of assessment materials, as well as of assessment
conditions, are made for students with documented physiological
impairments or learning disabilities. It is the responsibility of
students who need special assessment arrangements to request them
when registering for the CLAST.
Florida Community College's English,
mathematics and reading curriculum afford students the opportunity
to acquire the skills that are measured in the CLAST. Additionally,
CLAST review assistance is available in each campus learning assistance
center and through credit and non–credit CLAST review courses.
An on-line self study program is available by calling 381-3754.
To learn more about these review options, contact your campus assessment
and certification center.
Please bring a current picture id
with your signature, several soft-leaded pencils with erasers, and
ballpoint pens with blue or black ink. If you are retaking the CLAST,
don't forget your signed
remediation prescription form.
The following skills, which have
been agreed upon by community college and state university faculty
members, are measured by the CLAST:
- Math
Skills
- Reading
Skills
- Essay
Skills
- English
Language Skills
