Exemptions Information
College Credit Placement Testing and Exemptions
This page has details on how students may qualify for an exemption from common placement testing through Florida law, prior tests such as the SAT or ACT, or prior college credit. It also has information about students who are not eligible for an exemption, such as private school and home education students.
In addition to the information below about exemptions and also about the impact on developmental education, review the Frequently Asked Questions about placement testing for answers to common questions about exemptions and more.
Florida High School Graduates
Florida Statute 1008.30 removes the placement testing requirement for students who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year or later AND graduated from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma.
For a qualifying Florida public high school graduate, the placement test exemption will be automatically processed by EFSC once an official Florida public high school transcript is received with the correct criteria. No further action is required from the student. In-progress transcripts cannot be used to waive the placement test requirement. The transcript must confirm the equivalence of a standard high school diploma and have a graduation date.
Active Duty Military
Florida Statute 1008.30 removes the placement testing requirement for those who serve as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services. Active duty members should contact the Military & Veterans Service Center to process the testing waiver. Military veterans should discuss their situation with the Military and Veteran Service Center.
Private and Home School Students
Under Florida law, private school and Home Education students are not exempt from placement testing and must follow the process to satisfy placement requirements for their intended EFSC program.
Exemptions with SAT, ACT or Prior College Credit
- You've taken the SAT or ACT and earned scores that place you in college-level courses according to the placement chart.
- You've earned college-level credit at a C or higher in English and/or mathematics from a U.S. regionally-accredited institution. Official transcripts are required. Earned credits in either area will exempt placement test in that subject.
- You have successfully completed any required course in Development Education in the state of Florida.
Testing Exemptions and the Impact on Registration
At Eastern Florida, in accordance with state law related to Developmental Education Reform, students are either “exempt” from placement testing based on the exemption guidelines created by Florida law (and explained above) or they are considered “traditional placement” if they do not meet the state exemption guidelines. View the FAQ for more details.
"Traditional placement" students without current test scores, or those scoring below the state-mandated college ready cutoff scores, will be tested for reading, writing and/or mathematics proficiency using the PERT. Check the current Cutoff Scores Chart. Traditional placement students who test less than college ready must enroll in developmental education courses in the area(s) of the deficiency.
Exempt students may elect to test for academic competency and enroll in developmental education even though it is no longer required. They may also elect to use alternate remediation options.
If an exempt student does elect for testing and has scores below the college-ready level, they should consider talking to their academic advisor about remedial needs and developmental education as they prepare for college courses. It is in the student's best interest to enroll in developmental education coursework that is either elected or required as early as possible in a student's academic career.
Cut scores for placement into specific college credit classes are defined by SBE Rule 6A-10.0315. Students should see an advisor if needed to discuss and determine exemption or placement recommendations.