Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) Test

Students who do not have one of the following: a high school diploma, GED, or the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), and are applying for financial aid will need to meet the Ability-to-Benefit requirement.

Department of Education List of Approved ATB Tests 

The Ability-to-Benefit requirement can be met with specific scores on the COMPASS; or for students whose primary language is not English, the CELSA (ESL Assessment) can be used to meet the requirement. Students using the CELSA must enroll in at least one (1) ESL course. COMPASS study guides are available via the link(s) below or contact our office. There is a two week turnaround for the ATB results.  

Contact the Assessment Office to schedule an appointment and/or pick up the COMPASS ATB study guides. Please call (530) 895. 2350.

PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED AT TIME OF TEST

For sample test questions please review on the following links:

• Introduction
• Reading
• Writing
• Math (Note: The math portion of the ATB covers Numerical Skills/Prealgebra only, please refer to pages 1-5 of this study guide for ATB purposes)

ATB Exemption: Successfull completion of six degree applicable units (Grade C or better). **Because Butte College requires two PE activity courses to obtain an Associate Degree, the Financial Aid Office will accept the same as part of the six units. However, no more than two PE activity classes will be counted toward the requirement. See Financial Aid for further information on meeting this exemption.

You can also access the Assessment website here.