Type E: Entrance Exam
General Instructions
The Entrance Exam file is used to report data related to the college readiness of students entering postsecondary institutions in Kentucky. This data helps assess the readiness of incoming students in line with the standards set forth by 13 KAR 2.020 and the Unified Strategy for College and Career Readiness (Senate Bill 1, 2009). These guidelines provide the reporting requirements for the assessment of students' readiness and the placement of students in appropriate courses.
Applicable to:
- 4-year public and 2-year public
- Not required for AIKCU institutions
Cohort Definition
- The Type E file contains one record for each undergraduate degree-seeking student
who enrolled for the first time at an institution during the academic year. This includes:
- First-time in college students
- First-time transfer students
- This file includes all students defined in the previous summer, fall, and spring semester Type 1 files.
- Exclude non-degree students (classification 05), Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Degree-Seeking students (30), and dually enrolled students (classifications 19 and 20).
Exemptions from Testing Requirements
Transfer students or first-time students with college-level coursework taken in high school may be exempt from placement testing if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Successfully completed supplemental/corequisite or developmental courses at a Kentucky public institution, meeting learning outcomes for readiness.
- Successfully completed supplemental/corequisite or developmental courses at any institution, which the reporting institution deems to meet system-wide learning outcomes.
- Successfully completed a college-level course (any institution) that demonstrates college-level proficiency in subjects like math, English, or reading.
Data Reporting Requirements
All scores should be reported as superscore. A superscore combines the highest scores across multiple attempts, either from a single exam administration or a combination of administration. If your institution recalculates the total score based on superscore, the recalculated total should be reported to CPE.
Each student must have at least one score reported in math, writing, and reading, either from an exam score, institutional placement, or an exemption flag.
The following data should be reported on the Entrance Exam file:
- ACT Scores: Subject and composite scores used for placement (reported as superscores).
- SAT Scores: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math, and Total scores (reported as superscores).
- Statewide Placement Exam Scores: Scores for statewide standardized exams used to determine college readiness.
- Commercial or Institutionally Developed Exam: Indicate if a non-statewide placement exam was administered by the institution (KYOTE, Accuplacer, EdReady). These exams are administered on campus to supplement or in lieu of ACT or SAT scores, and the results are used to refine the level of placement suggested by the ACT or SAT alone.
- Course-Level Placement: For exams administered (if applicable), report on the resulting course-level placement.
- Exemption Status: Whether or not an entering student is exempted from the state placement testing requirement based on standards established by 13 KAR 2:020. Exemption status is to be reported by subject with an “E” if exempt and “N” if not exempt. Students can only be marked with a “E” if they have successfully completed previous coursework (dual credit) in the specific area. Exemptions should not be given for any other reason
Date Formatting
All dates, including entrance exam test dates, should be reported in the following format:
- Format: MMDDYY
- Example: May 4, 2025 → 050425
Statewide Benchmarked Placement Exams
The following benchmarks apply to the Entrance Exam File. Students' scores must meet or exceed the following benchmarks for readiness:
|
Area |
ACT |
SAT |
KYOTE |
GED College Readiness |
Accuplacer |
ALEKS |
Ed Ready Diagnostic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
English (Writing) |
18 |
490* |
6 |
165 |
250 |
70 |
|
|
Reading |
20 |
490* |
20 |
165 |
250 |
70 |
|
|
Math (Quant Reasoning) |
19 |
510 |
22 |
165 |
250 |
30 |
55 |
|
Math (College Algebra) |
22 |
540 |
14 |
175 |
46 |
65 |
|
|
Math (Calculus) |
27 |
640 |
15 |
N/A |
76 |
||
|
*The chart was updated in March 2024 to reflect that College Board no longer provides subscores. An EBRW score of 490, based on CPE analysis, is the appropriate benchmark. Source for the benchmarks: ACADEMIC READINESS INDICATORS Fall 2025 – Spring 2028 |
|||||||
File Formats & Field Values
|
Start |
Width |
Header Name (Database Header) |
Type (Formatting) |
Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
1 |
Form - E (form) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates the type of data record. Must be the first field in every detail record. Enter E for records. Cannot be blank |
|
2 |
8 |
Institution ID (fice) |
Numeric (8 digits) |
Your institution’s 8-digit FICE code. Must include all leading or trailing 0s if applicable and cannot be blank. Refer to Table 1 for FICE codes. |
|
10 |
9 |
Social Security Number (ssn) |
Numeric (8 digits) |
The student's Social Security Number (SSN) or an alternate valid identification number. This field cannot be blank. Use the same identifier previously submitted for the student to ensure records remain linked across reporting terms. If an SSN is not available, report an alternate identifier such as the institutional student ID, SEVIS ID, or ITIN. If a valid SSN becomes available after a prior submission, notify CPE to update the student record. Each SSN must be unique within the submission; do not report the same SSN for multiple students. Valid entries must not:
|
|
19 |
25 |
Last Name (last_name) |
Alphanumeric (Max 25 chars) |
Enter the student's last name as it appears on official institutional records, used to maintain consistent student identification across reporting periods. Formatting Requirements:
Name Changes - If a student's last name changes (e.g., marriage, legal name change):
Consistent identification: Last name spelling should match prior submissions unless a legal name change occurred; mismatches may trigger student-matching errors in KPEDS. |
|
44 |
15 |
First Name (first_name) |
Alphanumeric (Max 15 chars) |
Enter the student's first name as it appears on official institutional records. Formatting Requirements:
|
|
59 |
2 |
ACT Math Score (ACT_math) |
Numeric (2 digit) |
The student's ACT Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 01–36 |
|
61 |
6 |
Test Date of ACT Math (ACT_math_date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the test date of the ACT math was taken. |
|
67 |
2 |
ACT English Score (ACT_English) |
Numeric (2 digit) |
The student's ACT English score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 01–36 |
|
69 |
6 |
Test Date of ACT English (ACT_English_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the ACT test was taken. |
|
75 |
2 |
ACT Reading Score (ACT_Reading) |
Numeric |
Enter the student’s ACT Reading test score. The value must be right-justified and contain numbers only. If the score is less than 10, use a leading zero (e.g., enter 09 instead of 9). If the score is unknown, leave the field blank. |
|
77 |
6 |
Test Date of ACT Reading (ACT_Reading_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the ACT test was taken. |
|
83 |
2 |
ACT Science Score (ACT_Science) |
Numeric |
The student's ACT Reading score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 01–36 |
|
85 |
6 |
Test Date of ACT Science Score (ACT_Science_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the ACT test was taken. |
|
91 |
2 |
ACT Composite Score (ACT_Composite) |
Numeric |
The student's ACT Science score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 01–36 |
|
93 |
6 |
Test Date of ACT Composite Score (ACT_Composite_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the ACT test was taken. |
|
99 |
3 |
SAT Critical Reading Score (SAT_Reading) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's SAT Critical Reading score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–800 |
|
102 |
6 |
Test Date of SAT Critical Reading Score (SAT_Reading_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the SAT test was taken. |
|
108 |
3 |
SAT Mathematics Score (SAT_Math) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's SAT Mathematics score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–800 |
|
111 |
6 |
Test Date of SAT Mathematics Score (SAT_Math_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the SAT test was taken. |
|
117 |
3 |
SAT Writing Score (SAT_Writing) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's SAT Writing score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–800 |
|
120 |
6 |
Test Date of SAT Writing Score (SAT_Writing_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the SAT test was taken. |
|
126 |
4 |
SAT Total Score (SAT_Total) |
Numeric (4 digit) |
The student's SAT Total score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 600–2400 |
|
130 |
6 |
Test Date of SAT Total Score (SAT_Total_Date) |
Date (mmyyyy) |
Enter the date the SAT test was taken. |
|
136 |
3 |
KYOTE College Readiness Math Score (kyote_readiness_math) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's KYOTE College Readiness Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. |
|
139 |
3 |
KYOTE College Algebra Domain Score (kyote_college_algebra) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's KYOTE College Algebra Domain score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. |
|
142 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
145 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
148 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
151 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
154 |
3 |
KYOTE College Writing Score (KYOTE_Writing_Score) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's KYOTE College Writing score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. |
|
157 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
160 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
163 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
166 |
3 |
KYOTE College Reading Score (KYOTE_Reading_Score) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's KYOTE College Reading score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. |
|
169 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
172 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
175 |
3 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
178 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
179 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
180 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
181 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
182 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
183 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
184 |
10 |
Student’s Institutional ID (inst_id) |
Numeric (10 digit) |
The institution's unique identifier for the student. Do not include periods (.), apostrophes ('), hyphens (-), or underscores (_). |
|
194 |
1 |
Math Exemption Flag (math_exempt) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student is exempt from the state placement testing requirement for math, as defined by 13 KAR 2:020. E — Student is exempt from the math placement testing requirement N — Student is not exempt A student may only be marked exempt if they have successfully completed prior coursework in the corresponding subject area (e.g., dual credit). Exemptions must not be granted for any other reason. |
|
195 |
1 |
Writing Exemption Flag (write_exempt) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student is exempt from the state placement testing requirement for writing. See Math Exemption Flag for guidelines and valid values. |
|
196 |
1 |
Reading Exemption Flag (reading_exempt) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student is exempt from the state placement testing requirement for reading. See Math Exemption Flag for guidelines and valid values. |
|
197 |
6 |
Academic Year (sem) |
Numeric (6 digit) |
The academic year being reported, expressed as two consecutive 4-digit years combined into a 6-digit value. Must fall between 2000 and the current year. Example: 202425 = Academic Year 2024–2025 |
|
203 |
15 |
Middle Name (middle_name) |
Alphanumeric (Max 15 chars) |
Enter the student’s middle name. Must be left justify. Allowed characters: letters, spaces, periods (.), apostrophes (’), and hyphens (-). |
|
218 |
5 |
Name Suffix (name_suffix) |
Alphanumeric (Max of 5 char) |
The student's name suffix (e.g., Jr., II, III). A period may be included. Left-justify. Leave blank if not applicable. |
|
223 |
3 |
GED Math Score (GED_Math_Score) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's GED Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 100–200 |
|
226 |
3 |
GED Language Arts Score (GED_Language_Arts_Score) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's GED Language Arts score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 100–200 |
|
229 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
230 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
231 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
232 |
1 |
Blank |
Blank |
No data should be entered in this field. |
|
233 |
2 |
SAT Writing Language Score (SAT_Writing_Language_Test) |
Numeric (2 digit) |
The student's SAT Writing and Language Test score (redesigned SAT). Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 10–40 |
|
235 |
2 |
SAT Reading Score (SAT_Reading_Test) |
Numeric (2 digit) |
The student's SAT Reading Test score (redesigned SAT). Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 10–40 |
|
237 |
2 |
SAT Math Score (2) (SAT2_Math) |
Numeric (2 digit) |
The student's SAT Math score from the redesigned SAT. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 10–40 |
|
239 |
3 |
ALEKS Math Score (ALEKS_Math) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's ALEKS Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 001–100 |
|
242 |
1 |
English Ready Flag (English_Ready) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student has met the requirements for college readiness in English. Y — Student is college ready in English N — Student is not college ready in English |
|
243 |
1 |
Math Ready Flag (Math_Ready) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student has met the requirements for college readiness in math. Y — Student is college ready in math N — Student is not college ready in math |
|
244 |
1 |
Reading Ready Flag (Reading_Ready) |
Alphabetic (1 char) |
Indicates whether the student has met the requirements for college readiness in reading. Y — Student is college ready in reading N — Student is not college ready in reading |
|
245 |
3 |
Accuplacer English Score (Accuplacer_English) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's Accuplacer English score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–300 |
|
248 |
3 |
Accuplacer Math Score (Accuplacer_Math_Reasoning) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's Accuplacer Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–300 |
|
251 |
3 |
EdReady English (Writing) Score (EdReady_English) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's EdReady English score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 001–300 |
|
254 |
3 |
EdReady Math (College Algebra) Score (EdReady_Math) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's EdReady Math score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 001–300 |
|
|
|
Accuplacer Reading Score (Accuplacer_Reading) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's Accuplacer Reading score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 200–300 |
|
|
|
EdReady Reading Score (EdReady_ Reading) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's EdReady Reading score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 001–300 |
|
|
|
EdReady Math (Quant Reasoning) Score (EdReady_ Math_QR) |
Numeric (3 digit) |
The student's EdReady Math (Quant Reasoning) score. Leave blank if the score is unknown. Formatting: Right-justify and zero-fill to the full field width. Valid range: 001–300 |
Last Updated: 7/24/2026