Competency assessment is used for diagnostic purposes at the City University of New York (CUNY) Queens College. CUNY had decided that all students admitted after 1987 be tested. In addition, minimum competencies were required after the completion of 60 credits. Queens College chose to use the tests for entering freshmen for placement decisions, for evaluation of instructional effectiveness, and for satisfying the requirements of one of the basic mathematics courses. As a result of this decision, attention was focused on basic skills courses and workshops were instituted. Also, a system was developed to monitor student progress through the upper division competency test. The test battery includes a holistically scored writing sample, the Reading Comprehension Examination of the Descriptive Tests of Language Skills, the Mathematics Competency Examination, and the Queens College Math Placement Examination. Test scores are used to evaluate: (1) a student's competency in basic skills to assure appropriate course placement; and (2) the effectiveness of instruction (through their use as exit criteria in basic skills courses). The Testing Center was created to administer this program and to provide reports. As a result of this program, both student achievement and communication with the college's feeder schools have improved. (GDC)