California Component Exam Information

American Institutions Requirement: California Component

Do I need to take the California Component Exam? 

Do any of the following circumstances apply to you? 

• Taken a course in American Government at a college or university outside the state of California
• Taken a course in American Government at a college or university not part of the California State University (CSU) or California community college systems
• Taken the AP United States Government and Politics Exam with a score of 3 or higher
• Taken the CLEP American Government Exam with a score of 50 or higher

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you may still need to take the California Component Exam! 

Why do I have to take an additional exam if I completed the American Government credit? 

In August 2011, the Chancellor of the California State University system passed Executive Order 1061 (EO 1061). EO 1061 mandates that students have to have course credit that examines the California state political system and Constitution. Although you may have taken an American Government course elsewhere, many of these courses or exams do not adequately cover California. Thus for students who meet any of the above circumstances, in order to graduate, you must take the California Component Exam.  

When and how do I take the California Component Exam? 

The Department of Political Science administers the California Component Exam on Canvas.

Do not wait until your last semester at Cal Poly Pomona to take this test. You are encouraged to take this exam as soon as possible after arriving at Cal Poly Pomona so that in the event you do not pass the exam, you will have plenty of opportunities to meet the requirement through coursework. Do NOT jeopardize your graduation date by taking the exam in your last semester. 

If you decide to take the California Component Exam, do the following:

1. Go the University Library Reserve desk and ask for Governing California, 6^th Edition by J. Theodore Anagoson, Gerald Bonetto, J. Vincent Buck, Richard E. DeLeon, Jolly Emrey, James Kelleher, and Nadine Koch. Be sure that you have the 6th edition.
2. Study it thoroughly!
3. When you are ready to take the exam, email Dr. Mario Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu) and let him know the following information:
   1. Subject Line of email: California Government Exam
   2. Your full name
   3. Your Bronco ID number
   4. Information about existing American Government credit:
      • Your AP or CLEP American Government test score (needs to score 3 or above) or
      • Your American Government course & institution where you took the course

During the regular academic year, please allow at least two weeks for Dr. Guerrero to reply to your email. During summer, allow at least a month. The test is given on Canvas; once Dr. Guerrero has sent you an email invite, you will be able to complete the exam. 

What happens when I pass the CA Component Exam?

Upon passing the exam on Canvas, students should email Dr. Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu). Dr. Guerrero will then notify the Registrar's Office to award students American Institutions credit and GE D2 credit. The Registrar typically processes these updates in 2-4 weeks, but with the Registrar’s workload, it has taken up to two months.

Important. Did you start at Cal Poly Pomona in spring 2021 or before? 

Any student who began at Cal Poly Pomona in 2020-2021 (or earlier) is automatically awarded GE D3 (Social Science) credit with their AP or CLEP exam. When a student successfully passes the CA Component Exam or PLS 4811, and makes a request to receive credit, this GE D3 credit is moved to count as GE D2. Students will still have to take an additional GE D3 course. 

What if I don't want to take the test or I fail the exam? 

You get only one chance at the test. A passing score on the exam is 30 correct answers, or a 60%. There are no exceptions to this rule.

If you fail or do not want to take the exam, you can satisfy the requirement by enrolling in either of these courses (offered every semester):

• PLS 2010 (Introduction to American Government)
• PLS 4811 (California Government) -- will double-count as GE D4 (Social Science Synthesis)

You do not need to receive special permission to enroll in either these courses. They will automatically satisfy the American Government and California Component credit. Both courses carry no prerequisites. 

If I choose to take PLS 2010 instead, what happens? 

Upon enrolling into PLS 2010 (Introduction to American Government), students are automatically awarded American Institutions and GE D2 credit.

Note: Any student who began at Cal Poly Pomona in 2020-2021 (or earlier) is automatically awarded GE D3 (Social Science) credit with a passing AP or CLEP exam. When a student enrolls in PLS 2010, this GE D3 credit is moved to count as GE D2. Students will have to take an additional GE D3 course. 

If I choose to take PLS 4811 instead, what happens? 

Upon receiving a passing grade on PLS 4811 (California Government) on BroncoDirect, students should email Dr. Guerrero (mag@cpp.edu). Dr. Guerrero will then notify the Registrar's Office to award students American Institutions credit and GE D2 credit. 

Note: Any student who began at Cal Poly Pomona in 2020-2021 (or earlier) is automatically awarded GE D3 (Social Science) credit with a passing AP or CLEP exam. When a student completes PLS 4811, this GE D3 credit is moved to count as GE D2. Students will have to take an additional GE D3 course. 

For additional questions, email Dr. Mario Guerrero directly at mag@cpp.edu.