CUNY Proficiency Requirements

The City University of New York (CUNY) requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in English (reading and writing) and math in order to enroll in credit-bearing courses in the associated subject. Students may establish proficiency in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to meeting benchmark scores on the SAT, ACT, and New York State Regents exams.

CUNY Proficiency Index

Starting with the Spring 2020 entering class, students who do not meet benchmark scores will no longer be administered a skills certification examination; rather, CUNY will use a proficiency index to determine developmental education assignment. The proficiency index combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and/or New York State Regents exam scores. There are separate proficiency indexes for English and math.

What is the CUNY Proficiency Index and how will it work?

The CUNY Proficiency Index is a formula that combines overall high school grade point average with SAT and Regents scores to determine whether the student has a good chance of succeeding in a credit-bearing math or English course without any additional support. The CUNY Proficiency Index scores will be used to determine whether the student is eligible to begin in college level English and math or if remedial intervention is necessary.

There are separate proficiency formulas for math and English. Both use information that is already part of the application for freshman admissions: student’s overall high school GPA at the time of application, SAT scores, and Regents scores. If an applicant has both SAT scores and Regents scores, the formula will use both scores, but if they have only Regents or only SAT, it will use whichever is available. If an applicant does not have any relevant Regents Exam or SAT scores, proficiency in English and math will be assessed based on high school GPA or High School Equivalency exam scores. The formula places more weight on high school grades than test scores, but higher test scores can help offset lower grades and vice versa.Important Information On SAT and ACT exams

ACT and SAT Exams for Fall 2023 to Spring 2027 Admissions Cycles – SAT/ACT TEST OPTIONAL POLICY

Students will have the option to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. However, students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores, and should carefully review the information and FAQs on the SAT/ACT Test Optional Policy available here

CUNY has extended its testing policy to test optional through spring 2027. First-year applicants can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT exam scores as part of their application. The admission decision will be based primarily on a student’s academic preparation in high school, including overall grade-point-average, course grades and the academic rigor of their high school curriculum.

Students should carefully consider whether they would like to send their test scores:

CUNY Proficiency Benchmark Scores

Students may meet the proficiency requirement in English by presenting official documentation of any one of the following:

Tests