In May 1991, Golden West College (California) conducted a validation study of the English portion of the Assessment and Placement Services for Community Colleges (APS), followed by a predictive validity study in July 1991. The initial study was designed to aid in the implementation of the new test at GWC by comparing data on APS use at other community colleges and by testing placement rules. The follow-up study examined the relationship between the APS and eventual course success as measured by students' grades. The initial sample for both studies consisted of 381 students from 23 classes offered in spring 1991 who had taken the reading and writing portions of the APS. Three standard criterion groups were identified, consisting of native English speakers placed in English 009, 010, or 100. Selected findings included the following: (1) the APS appeared able to differentiate among course levels and was significantly related to standard group membership, making a clear placement recommendation possible for the majority of students; (2) ratings of writing samples could aid in definitive placement of those students earning unclear APS scores; (3) the gain in predictability from using a combination of reading and writing score information over using writing alone was insignificant; (4) the analysis of the relationship of grades to APS scores revealed a low to moderate-sized predictive validity coefficient, a value within the expected range; and (5) a significant difference in APS scores was found between successful and unsuccessful students. Data tables, references and short appendixes, providing a sample student survey and a correction for restricted range of a predictive validity coefficient, are included. (JSP)