What is ATB Testing?

If you are interested in applying for Federal Financial Aid, but you do not have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent, you may demonstrate your ability to benefit from a college education by taking the Ability to Benefit (ATB) Test.

Note: De Anza's ATB testing service is not the same as De Anza's Assessment for placement testing service.

ATB Eligibility

Students without a high school diploma, GED or equivalent are eligible to take the Ability to Benefit Test (ATB) test.

Students must be approved to take the test by the De Anza College Financial Aid Office:

Upon approval, students can request to schedule an ATB testing appointment with us:

ATB Test Format & Retest Policy

Native English speakers will take the Accuplacer English & Math ATB test.

English Learners will take the CELSA English as a Second Language (ESL) ATB test.

English & Math ATB

Students who plan to enroll in English for native speaker courses will take Accuplacer ATB test.

This untimed, computerized test is composed of three (3) sections: Sentence Skills, Reading Comprehension and Arithmetic.

English & Math ATB Retest Policy:

  • Students who do not receive qualifying scores on their ATB test are eligible for one (1) Accuplacer or CELSA retest only.

  • Students who do not receive qualifying scores on all three Accuplacer ATB (3) tests during the test session will need to retake all three (3) tests.

  • Students must wait minimum of two (2) weeks before attempting the ATB test for the second time.

ESL ATB

Students who plan to enroll in English as Second Language courses (ESL) will take the CELSA ATB test.

This 45-minute timed, paper and pencil test is composed of one (1) language section. There is no math section.

ESL ATB Retest Policy:

  • Students who do not receive qualifying scores on their ATB test are eligible for one (1) CELSA or Accuplacer retest only.

  • Students must wait minimum of two (2) weeks before attempting the ATB test for the second time.

ATB Study Guides


English & Math ATB

College Board's Accuplacer Study Guide

ESL ATB

For review and practice, students choose their own review books or online web sites for tutorials.

ATB Results

English & Math ATB

Upon test completion, you will receive your test results.

ESL ATB

Test results will take up to 2-3 weeks to process.

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