Pasadena City College accepts the following English proficiency tests for admission, provided they were taken within the past two years from the test date.
Minimum score requirements apply.

You may also meet the English Proficiency requirement through other options.

Here are the alternatives you can choose from:

Options Required Documentation

U.S. College of University

  • Completion of a college-level English composition course in the U.S. OR
  • Completion of a U.S. college/university degree
  • Official transcript showing a grade of C or higher in the English composition course OR
  • Official transcript showing that a degree was awarded

U.S. High School

  • Completion of grades 10 to 12 in the U.S.
  • Official transcript showsing a grade C or higher

International High/Secondary School

  • Completion of 3 or more years at a school where English is the primary language of instruction
  • School profile or letter on official school letterhead confirming that English is the sole medium of instruction

Citizens of Countries Where English is the Primary Language of Instruction

  • Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, New Zealand, Nigeria, S. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Aftica, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
  • Official transcript from high school or university

Note: Citizenship alone does not qualify for an exemption. Exemption is based on where the student completed their education.

Completion of ESL Program at PCC-Approved Partners

  • Certificate of completion or official letter from the ESL school

Note: PCC also accepts the highest level of ESL program from any accredited U.S. language school.

important Notes

An exemption from the English proficiency requirement does not exempt you from completing PCC's Guided Self-Placement for English/ESL.