College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)

The CLAST tests communication and computation skills judged by state university and community college faculty to be associated with successful performance in higher education. The test is administered to students seeking an Associate of Arts degree, those seeking the Associate in Science Degree and are seeking admission to upper division programs in state universities in Florida, as well as to university students. It is required by Florida Statutes and by Administrative Rules of the State Board of Education. In order to receive an Associate of Arts degree, or be classified as an upper division university student, a student must either pass all subtests of the CLAST, be granted a waiver, or be exempt from the testing requirement under the CLAST Alternative rule (see CLAST Alternative). A student may register for CLAST upon completion of 18 college credit hours under the conditions listed below:

First Time Test Takers

Communications: Students will be eligible to register for the Essay, Reading, and English Language Skills subtests when they have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in ENC 1102 Composition II.

Mathematics: Student will be eligible to register for Mathematics subtest when they have successfully completed six hours of Gordon Rule math courses or when they are enrolled in their second Gordon Rule course.

Retesting

Communications and Mathematics: Students who fail any CLAST subtest will be required to complete supervised preparation before retesting. The actual requirements will be determined on an individual basis by representatives from the math and communications departments. Individual prescriptions for preparation will be written for each student who wishes to prepare for retesting.

Effective for any term beginning after August 1, 1984, the State Board of Education established minimum CLAST score standards for the award of the Associate in Arts degree and admission to upper division status in state universities in Florida. Beginning October 1, 1992, the following minimum scores were established; Reading 295, Writing 295, Mathematics 295, and Essay 6.

Waiver

Students who have taken any of the four (4) subtests of the CLAST at least four (4) times and have not earned a passing score on the subtest but have otherwise earned a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all college credit courses in that same subject area and met the requirements defined in Rule 6A 10.030, FAC., for that area may appeal to the CLAST Waiver Committee for a waiver from that subtest. In considering a request for a waiver from any subtest, the CLAST Waiver Committee shall determine whether the student has demonstrated sufficient effort to pass the subtest and has satisfactorily completed remediation studies related to the failed subtest.

Students with a documented learning disability may request a waiver of one or more sections of the CLAST, depending on their disability. All requests must be submitted in writing, along with verification of the learning disability, to the Vice President for Instruction.

The Office of Student Services (telephone 729-5372) provides information on how and when to apply to take the CLAST. The Vice President for Instruction can provide a list of CLAST skills and identify where the communication and computation skills are taught in the curriculum.

CLAST Alternative

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C. Rule 6A-10.0311), which was passed by the State Board of Education October 21, 1997, allows a student to be exempt from selected CLAST subtests under the following circumstances:

1. Students who have earned a grade point average of 2.5 or above in selected postsecondary level courses shall be exempt from one or more sections of CLAST as follows:

   To exempt the English Language Skills, Reading and Essay sections of CLAST, the student must have earned a 2.5 grade point average in ENC 1101 and ENC 1102.

   To exempt the Computation section of the CLAST, the student must have earned a 2.5 grade point average in two (2) A.A. general education mathematics courses listed on page 52.

2. Students who have earned the following score(s) on either the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT-I), or the American College Testing Program (ACT) shall be exempt from one or more sections of CLAST as follows:
   • To exempt the English Language Skills, and Essay sections of CLAST, the student must have a score of 500 on the SAT-I or a 21 on the ACT English examination.

   • To exempt the Reading Section of the CLAST, the student must have a score of 500 on the SAT-I or a 22 on the ACT reading examination.

   • To exempt the Computation section of the CLAST, the student must have a score of 500 on SAT-I or a 21 on the ACT mathematics examination.