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Matriculation
The matriculation process at Irvine
Valley College provides students with
information about their skills and
abilities, informs them about support
services, and allows them to plan their
educational program in consultation
with counselors. The primary goal
of this process is to assist students
in identifying and achieving their
educational objectives.
Assessment of Basic Skills
Specific levels of preparation are
required in order to enroll in English,
reading, mathematics, and English as a
Second Language (ESL) courses. Most
new students and some continuing
students should be assessed in these
areas. Students are notified when they
apply whether or not they should
complete assessment.
English and MathematICS
(Native aSSessments)
All native assessment sessions are
available on a walk-in, first-come, firstserved
basis. During the assessment
session, students will be given tests in
writing and mathematics in order to
determine their current skill level in
these areas.
• Assessment sessions usually last
about 2 hours and 15 minutes, and
there is no cost for them.
• Students MUST have their Irvine
Valley College Student ID number
and a picture identification—
NO EXCEPTIONS!
• MATH ASSESSMENT: Students
should review the material from their
last math course before taking the
assessment. For more information,
see the Math Department web site:
www.ivc.edu/academics/
schoolMCSE/mathematics.
• THE WRITING ASSESSSMENT (CTEP)
consists of three tests: reading
comprehension; sentence structure
and grammar; and sentence and
syntax skills. Sample questions can
be found at the matriculation site:
www.ivc.edu/student/matric.
• Students cannot fail the assessments.
The results are used for
placement purposes only. However,
placing at a lower level will increase
the number of semesters students
will need to achieve their goals.
Results will determine how many
semesters of math and/or English
students will be required to complete
prior to graduating and transferring.
English as a Second
Language—esl
(Non-native aSSessment)
Non-native English speakers attending
IVC for the first time should take the ESL
assessment before enrolling in classes.
A specially designed diagnostic test and
writing sample are used to determine
the reading/writing and listening/
speaking skills of ESL students.
After completing the assessment,
students will receive class placement
recommendations. All students are
urged to follow their recommendations.
• Assessments are offered on
scheduled dates on a first-come,
first-served basis. No appointment
is necessary.
• Follow the links from www.ivc.edu/
student/matric to find assessment
days and times.
• Students must arrive on time—
NO LATE ARRIVALS!
• Students should allow approximately
2 hours and 45 minutes for testing.
Orientation
All first-time college freshmen must
complete an online orientation before
registering for classes. Students are
directed to complete the orientation
after they have applied and received
their student ID. The orientation is
composed of six segments:
• Programs and Majors
• Your First Steps
• Student Services
• Academic Planning
• Campus Life
• Student Conduct and Safety
Students can access the orientation
through their MySite account from any
computer with Internet access.
Advisement
During advisement students are
directed to view the results from their
assessment session and their recommended
class placements. Based on
their results, students formulate an
educational plan to ensure they begin
their studies in an orderly manner and
with the expectation of success. Students
can access online advisement
and MAP (My Academic Plan), a stepby-step
guide to establishing a plan,
through their MySite account from
any computer with Internet access.
Developing an
Academic Plan
After completing advisement, students
are encouraged to consult a
counselor for assistance in formulating
and revising their educational plan.
Counselors can help students identify
the courses they should take based on
their goals, and the IVC services that
are available to support them.
Retest Policy
Students must wait six months before
retaking the English assessment exam
or English as a Second Language
(ESL) exam. They must wait three
months before retaking the math
assessment exam.
Exemptions
Students who have previously earned
an associate degree or bachelor’s
degree from an accredited American
college or university will be exempted
from matriculation.
Location and Contacts
The Assessment Center is located on
the second floor of the Student Services
Center, SSC 250. Assessments
take place in classroom SSC 240.
Students may contact the center by
calling 949/451-5315.
admission / registration
Irvine Valley College Catalog 2012–2013_________________________________________________________________ www.ivc.edu 17