The College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) is part of Florida’s system of educational accountability that satisfies the mandates of Section 1008.29, F.S. The CLAST is an achievement test that measures student’s attainment of the college-level communication and mathematics skills that were identified by the faculties of community colleges and state universities through the College-Level Academic Skills Project (CLASP). The skills have been adopted by the State Board of Education and are listed in Rule 6A-10.0316, FAC.
Since August 1, 1984, students in public postsecondary institutions in Florida have been required to meet the requirements of the CLASP for the award of an Associate of Arts degree, for admission to upper-division status and the award of a baccalaureate degree in a state university in Florida. There are three (3) exceptions to this:
- Students who were awarded an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from a state of Florida public institution.
- Students seeking an undergraduate degree from a state of Florida institution that have already earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- Students who were awarded an Associate of Arts degree before September 1, 1982, and were admitted to upper division status in a Florida public university before August 1, 1984.
How the recent changes in the CLASP legislation affect you!
The state of Florida legislature has repealed the CLAST exam effective July 1, 2009. This means that the last date the CLAST exam will be offered to any student in the State of Florida is June 30, 2009. However, the requirements for the College Level Academic Skills Project (CLASP) will still remain in effect.
What options are available to me NOW?
Through June 30, 2009, the current CLASP requirements are still in effect. Students can meet these requirements through several methods, including: taking the CLAST exam, or the alternative methods of ACT, SAT, or coursework.
How do I register now to take the CLAST exam?
Students can take the CAT-CLAST now through June 30, 2009. The CAT-CLAST is the computer-adaptive version of the CLAST and is available for the English Language Skills, Reading, and Mathematics subtests. The Essay subtest is not available on computer.
All UCF students must register for the CAT-CLAST in person. Registration is completed at the University Testing Center located in Howard Phillips Hall, room 106. You must bring one (1) legal ID, your UCF student ID, and a $30.00 payment.
Since we expect a high demand for testing, students are strongly encouraged to register for CAT-CLAST as soon as possible in order to complete testing by June 30, 2009. Testing appointments are scheduled on a first come-first serve basis. There are no same day appointments.
How do I register now to take the CLAST exam at another institution?
UCF students may request permission to take CAT-CLAST at another Florida institution, providing one of the following criteria is met:
- The student is attending class at or near another institution
- The student is representing the home institution in a scheduled activity at or near the other institution
- The student would experience hardship if required to travel to the “home” institution (the UCF Orlando campus)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has complete authority over submission of the student’s request to take CAT-CLAST at another institution. If approval is granted, arrangements with the other institution are initiated by the UCF Institutional Test Administrator (ITA), Rebecca Piety, Director, University Testing Center. The UCF ITA will complete a request for the student to take CAT-CLAST at another institution and send it to the ITA of the institution requested by the student, who may accommodate the request but is not obligated to do so. The ITA at the requested institution will approve the form and return it to the UCF ITA. Since it takes additional time to process requests to test at another institution, students are strongly encouraged to initiate the paperwork as soon as possible in order to register and complete testing by June 30, 2009.
How do I meet the College Level Academic Skills Program (CLASP) requirement AFTER July 1, 2009?
In order to be awarded an Associate of Arts degree, admission to upper-division status, or awarded a baccalaureate degree in a state university in Florida on or after July 1, 2009, you can meet the requirements of CLASP through the following methods:
- Achieving a score that meets or exceed minimum scores on a nationally standardized exam (SAT I or ACT)
- Earning a cumulative 2.5 grade point average (GPA) or higher in designated college coursework identified by the State Commission
Students with documented specific learning disabilities and other extenuating circumstances as established in Florida Statue 1008.29 may request a waiver.
