Math Guided Self-Placement

The guided self-placement (GSP) assessment tool for Math was created by De Anza's Math instructors to help you determine which Math course is the right starting place for you.It's intended for students who aren't able to get a placement based on their recent U.S. high school transcript, and for those students who are attempting to place into a higher math course after receiving their initial results.

Read the below information about the online Math GSP assessment and then use our online request form to request access!

Learn Your Options!

Use our Online Explainer to learn more about how your placement is determined and what options you'll want to consider. Then talk with your counselor about choosing the right courses for your goals.

What is the Math GSP?

The self-assessment is a computerized, survey-like tool that will guide you through several modules. These are designed to help you

  • Determine your confidence level when asked to review course descriptions
  • Think about your comfort level when asked to review sample assignments
  • Reflect about your familiarity with major course concepts

There is no “pass” or “fail” in this self-assessment. It is designed to measure your current knowledge and understanding of Math. The results will help you get the right level of instruction to succeed in the classes you need for your major and academic goals.

Upon completion of your self-assessment, you will be placed into one or more transfer-level Math courses in De Anza's Math course sequence. Depending on your major of study, you may need to take one or more of the math courses that you are placed into.

  • For Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) majors, this assessment will determine which level of math you should start with in the Precalculus series (MATH 31 and 32) and if you'd benefit from support, or if you're ready for MATH 1A: Calculus.
  • For Liberal Arts and Humanities majors, this assessment will determine if you'd benefit from support when taking MATH 10: Statistics.

Once you receive your results, ask your counselor for help to choose the right math course(s) for your educational goal and major.

Getting Started with the Math GSP

Use our online request form to request access to the online Math GSP assessment, and then follow these steps:

  1. Wait for the Assessment Center to send you an email with detailed instructions.
  2. Read the email carefully. When you are ready to begin the assessment, send a reply that confirms you are ready to begin.
  3. You will then receive a second email with a link that you can click to begin the assessment.
  4. You have two business days to finish. (The two days begin when you reply to the first email.) 

Within 2 - 3 business days your assessment results will be processed and you'll receive a placement in the math course sequence. You will be notified within via email when your results have been posted on your MyPortal account.

MATH Course Registration Tips

Repeating the Math Assessment

  • After you complete the self-assessment, you may repeat the process once within six months of receiving your placement.
  • You can enroll in classes based on the placement that results from either your first or second assessment.
  • However, you're not allowed to repeat the self-assessment if you have earned a grade of D, F, NP or I grade in any course that's part of the Math sequence.
  • Your assessment results do not expire. If you want to try the self-assessment again after the six month window is past, you should contact the Assessment Center and provide your full name and CWID, or student identification number. 

English or ESL assessment 

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