CUNY requires its students to be proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics. To this end, it assesses the skills levels of applicants to its colleges as part of the admissions process. This page provides information about the University's requirements and testing program in the areas of reading and writing.

How can students meet City University's basic skills requirements in reading and writing?

1. SAT/ACT: Students are considered proficient in reading and writing if they achieve an SAT Verbal score of 480 or higher or an ACT English score of 20 or better.

2. NY State Regents Examinations: Students who achieve a score of 75 or higher on the English Regents exam have demonstrated proficiency in reading and writing.

3. CUNY's Skills Assessment Tests: Students who do not achieve the required SAT, ACT, or Regents Exams can satisfy basic skills requirements by passing the CUNY/ACT Basic Skills Tests in Reading and Writing.

What are the CUNY/ACT Basic Skills Tests in Reading and Writing?

Reading:	The COMPASS Reading Test is an untimed, multiple-choice, computer-based test of reading.
Writing:	The CUNY/ACT Writing Sample is a 60-minute essay test in which students are asked to respond to a question that they see for the first time when they sit for the test.

What scores on the CUNY/ACT Tests in Reading and Writing must students achieve to demonstrate proficiency?

Reading:	A scaled score of 70 or higher
Writing:	A total score of 7 or higher