The purpose for the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) is to identify new students who are English learners, determine their level of proficiency in English and assess the progress of limited English proficient students in acquiring the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.

All newly enrolled students whose primary language is not English must take the test within 30 calendar days after they are enrolled in a California public school for the first time. The CELDT also must be given once each year to English learners until they are reclassified.