CUNY Proficiency Requirement: What You Need to Know
What Is the CUNY Proficiency Requirement? A Guide for International Students
What Is the CUNY Proficiency Requirement? A Guide for International Students
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
If you are planning to study at the City University of New York (CUNY), you may have heard about the CUNY proficiency requirement. Understanding this requirement is important because your placement in English and mathematics can affect which courses you are able to take and how efficiently you can progress toward graduation.
This is particularly important for international students, who may be academically strong but unfamiliar with the English-language academic system in the United States.
In this article, I’ll explain what the CUNY proficiency requirement is, what the English and mathematics assessments involve, what may happen if you do not meet the required level, and how you can prepare.
What Is the CUNY Proficiency Requirement?
CUNY uses assessment and placement measures to determine whether students have the necessary skills in areas such as English and mathematics.
The exact assessment and requirements can vary depending on the student’s program, college, and current CUNY policies. Students should always check the requirements of their individual CUNY college for the most up-to-date information.
In general, students may need to demonstrate college-level proficiency in:
- English reading and writing
- Mathematics
Meeting the required level can help students begin college-level courses without taking additional developmental or corequisite support courses.
Mathematics Requirement
For students who have not studied mathematics recently, the mathematics assessment may require some preparation.
The assessment can include fundamental concepts such as:
- Basic arithmetic
- Fractions and decimals
- Percentages
- Basic algebra
- Equations
- Geometry
- Problem-solving
Don’t assume that the test will be easy simply because the concepts are familiar. Mathematical questions can sometimes be challenging because of the way they are worded.
How Should You Prepare for the Math Test?
One of the simplest ways to prepare is to review a basic mathematics textbook and practice problems regularly.
Pay particular attention to:
- Fractions
- Negative numbers
- Algebraic expressions
- Equations
- Ratios and percentages
- Geometry
- Word problems
I also recommend practicing mathematics questions in English. Understanding the mathematics itself is only part of the challenge; you also need to understand what the question is asking.
English Requirement
For many international students, the English portion can be more challenging than mathematics.
The assessment focuses on your ability to understand and communicate in academic English. Depending on the assessment being used, students may be evaluated on skills such as reading comprehension and writing.
Academic English is different from conversational English.
You may be able to communicate comfortably with friends, order food at a restaurant, or have everyday conversations in English and still find an academic reading or writing assessment difficult.
Reading Comprehension
College-level reading requires you to understand:
- The main idea of a passage
- Supporting details
- The author’s argument
- The meaning of words from context
- Relationships between ideas
- Information that is implied rather than directly stated
For this reason, reading English regularly is one of the best ways to prepare.
Try reading sources such as:
- The New York Times
- English-language magazines
- Academic articles
- University websites
- Nonfiction books
You don’t need to understand every single word. Instead, practice identifying the main point and important supporting information.
Writing Skills
Writing is another important skill for international students.
In college, you will often need to write essays, responses, research papers, and discussion posts. Your writing needs to be clear, organized, and logical.
A useful way to practice is to read an English article and then write a short summary in your own words.
For example:
- Read a short article.
- Identify the main argument.
- Write down three important points.
- Summarize the article in your own words.
- Explain your own opinion about the topic.
This simple exercise can help you develop both reading comprehension and academic writing skills.
What Happens If You Don’t Meet the Required Level?
If you do not demonstrate the required level of proficiency, you may be required to take additional English or mathematics support courses before or alongside college-level coursework.
These courses are designed to help students develop the skills they need for college-level study.
One important point for students to understand is that developmental or remedial coursework may not count toward the credits required for graduation. This can potentially add time and expense to your degree.
For this reason, preparing for your placement or proficiency assessment before starting college can be very worthwhile.
How to Prepare for the CUNY Proficiency Requirement
If you are planning to attend CUNY, I recommend preparing before you take the assessment rather than waiting until the last minute.
1. Don’t underestimate academic English
Even if you can have everyday conversations in English, academic English can be very different. Start reading English-language articles several months before your assessment.
2. Practice writing regularly
You don’t need to write a long essay every day. Even writing one short paragraph a day can make a significant difference. Focus on organizing your ideas clearly rather than trying to use complicated vocabulary.
3. Review basic mathematics
If you haven’t studied mathematics for several years, review the fundamentals. Practice basic calculations, algebra, geometry, fractions, percentages, and word problems.
4. Practice solving problems in English
This is particularly important for mathematics. Try finding English-language math problems so that you become comfortable with words such as equation, fraction, percentage, angle, area, and average.
5. Check your college’s current requirements
CUNY consists of many different colleges and programs. Their assessment requirements can change.Before relying on information from a blog or another website, check the official CUNY website and your individual college for the most current requirements.
CUNY Colleges in New York City
CUNY is one of the largest public university systems in the United States and includes numerous senior colleges, community colleges, and graduate and professional programs throughout New York City.
Some well-known CUNY institutions include:
- CUNY School of Professional Studies
- The City College of New York
- Baruch College
- Brooklyn College
- Hunter College
- Queens College
- John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Queensborough Community College
- LaGuardia Community College
Each college offers different programs and academic resources, so prospective students should research the specific college and program they are interested in.
Final Thoughts
The CUNY proficiency and placement requirements are important for students who want to begin their college education successfully. For international students, the biggest challenge may not necessarily be the academic material itself. Sometimes, the real challenge is understanding academic English and expressing your ideas clearly in English.
The good news is that these skills can be improved with preparation. Start reading English regularly, practice writing your own summaries and opinions, and review basic mathematics before taking your assessment.
A little preparation before entering CUNY can make your transition to college much smoother—and may help you avoid taking additional courses that could delay your progress toward graduation.
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Good luck with your CUNY journey!
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