The College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)

CLAST Form (first time)
or
CLAST Form (retake)

The CLAST:

• Has been adopted by Florida's State Board of Education (SBE).
• Measures your communication and mathematics skills.
• Determines if you meet the minimum standards for a sophomore in Florida's college/university system.

The CLAST consists of four subtests:

• Essay: For this subtest, students are required to write an essay on one of two provided topics.
• English Language Skills: This subtest measures students' grammatical, spelling, sentence structure and word choice skills.
• Reading: The reading subtest determines students' reading-comprehension skills (how well you understand what you've read).
• Mathematics: This test measures students' math skills, from basic mathematical problems to fundamental algebra.

Why Do I Need to Take the CLAST?

By Florida law, you are required to take the CLAST before you can be:

• Awarded an Associate in Arts Degree from a community college or state university.
• Admitted to upper-division status (junior and senior levels) state college or university.

How Do I Take the CLAST?

CLAST sessions (paper/pencil version) are held three times each year, and students must register before taking the exam. In most cases, students will register at the institution in which they are enrolled when they take the exam or the institution where they plan to receive their degree.

The CAT-CLAST (a computerized version of the CLAST) may be taken on a walk-in basis at the Assessment and Testing Center. The test will take approximately 1.5 hours. Please visit the testing center during normal hours of operation and leave yourself plenty of time to finish the test before the office closes.

• Reading (first time): 50 minutes
• Reading (retake): 2 hours and 40 minutes
• English Language Skills (first time): 30 minutes
• English Language Skills (retake): 2 hour 40 minutes
• Mathematics (first time): 90 minutes
• Mathematics (retake): 3 hours

Florida's Commissioner of Education determines the registration deadlines and test dates. You must register before the deadline or you cannot take the test. Late and standby registrations or test walk-ins are not permitted.

The CLAST is administered in all Florida community colleges and state universities.

Under What Conditions Might a CLAST Waiver or Course Substitution be Considered?

CLAST waivers or course substitutions are given only in rare cases and are based on a student's:

• Proficiency in coursework but after at least four attempts to pass the subtest(s).
• Inability to pass the reading, English language skills or essay subtests because the student speaks English as a second or foreign language.
• Specific learning disability.
• Specific learning disability (see the items listed under condition 3).

Is There a Fee to Take the CLAST or CAT-CLAST Exam?

• CLAST (SCC students): Free! 
• CLAST (non-SCC students): $30
• CAT-CLAST (SCC students): $10
• CAT-CLAST (non-SCC students): $35

Where Can I Learn More about the CLAST?

• Speak with an SCC counselor at 407.708.2337.
• Visit the Florida Department of Education's Web site. 
• Contact the Assessment and Testing Center at 407.708.2020.

Did you know?

First time college students entering a college-credit program are required to take the ACT, SAT or CPT exams.