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Readiness Review

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What is the Readiness Review?

The Readiness Review ensures that your program is prepared for the accreditation review process before investing the time and resources for the on-site visit.

If your program is seeking initial accreditation and is housed in an institution with no currently ABET-accredited programs in your commission, you will be required to undergo a Readiness Review prior to submitting a formal Request for Evaluation (RFE)

If you are not sure whether you need to do a Readiness Review, contact ReadinessReview@abet.org.

Required Documents

Updated information for the upcoming 2027-28 Readiness Review Cycle will be posted as it becomes available over the coming days, with all updates expected no later than mid-April 2026.  Thank you for your patience.

  1. Request a Readiness Review (RREv) – Inform ABET of your intent by completing the online RREv form (a login credential is not required) no later than August 15, two weeks prior to the September 1 deadline for submitting the required Readiness Review Report and transcript.  The online RREv link will be activated by mid-April. (Preferred browser for the RREv link: Google Chrome. Alternatives include Mozilla FireFox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.)
  2. Readiness Review Report – Submit one Readiness Review Report along with one transcript per program by September 1 of the year before you plan to submit a Request for Evaluation (RFE).
  3. Transcript – Include a scanned copy of one graduate’s official transcript from the most recent graduating class with the Readiness Review Report by September 1.  Refer to Section I.G. of the applicable Readiness Review Template below for detailed transcript requirements.  All materials must be submitted  through the ABET portal (which will be provided after the online RREv is accepted).  No submissions after the September 1 deadline or email submissions will be accepted.

 

Things to consider prior to submitting an online RREv:

  • Limit the number of programs requesting a Readiness Review to two, and no more than three per ABET commission.
  • Submit one online RREv form per institution and designate one contact person per institution for all programs listed on the request form, regardless of the number of ABET commissions.
  • Check with ReadinessReview@abet.org if you are not sure if ABET can consider sending a review team to your country or area due to safety and security considerations in the foreseeable future, before investing time in preparing for a Readiness Review.

Preparing the Readiness Review Report

Use the applicable Readiness Review Template for your accreditation commission to prepare a Readiness Review Report.

The templates and documents for the upcoming 2027-28 Readiness Review Cycle will be posted as they become available over the coming days, no later than mid-April.  

ANSAC

ANSAC-EAC Joint Review Program

CAC

CAC Masters Program

CAC-EAC Joint Review Program

EAC

EAC Master’s Level – Integrated Baccalaureate-Master’s Program

EAC Master’s Level – Stand Alone Program

ETAC

 

Please refer to the Information for Programs Requesting Readiness Review for:

  • A Readiness Review timeline
  • Guidance on preparing a Readiness Review Report
  • Information on Readiness Review outcomes
  • Post-Readiness Review options for institutions/programs

 

Video Resources for Preparing a Readiness Review Report 

(Video resources are forthcoming and will be posted as they become available over the coming days, no later than mid-April.)

  • Introduction: Objectives, Purpose, and Overview
  • Readiness Review Process Overview
  • The Basics – How to Prepare a Readiness Review Report
  • Criterion 1, 2, and 3
  • Criterion 4
  • Criterion 5 and Appendix A
  • Criterion 6, Appendix B, and Program Criteria
  • Appendix D and APPM
  • The slide deck for the eight videos above can be downloaded here.

Other Resources:

  • Free ABET webinars and assessment planning tools and articles cover a range of topics in accreditation and assessment.
  • ABET Bridge – ABET frequently receives requests to recommend individuals or organizations that provide accreditation advising services. ABET recommends interested parties contact ABET Bridge for further assistance.

Outcomes

Your program may receive one of three recommendations as the outcome of a Readiness Review:

  1. A recommendation to submit the Request for Evaluation (RFE) in the immediate upcoming accreditation review cycle.
  2.  A recommendation to postpone the RFE submission unless substantive changes in the Self-Study preparation and documentation are made.
  3. A determination not to submit the RFE in the immediate upcoming accreditation review cycle because the program has not demonstrated that it is sufficiently prepared for a review.

If your program completes a Readiness Review and continues in the review process, please note that you must use the applicable Self-Study Template with paying attention to the applicable Criteria for the Review Cycle you would like to initiate to prepare a final Self-Study Report that is due July 1.

Readiness Review fees

The fee for a Readiness Review is US $1,185 per program for a given commission.

Invoices for Readiness Review fees and the payment instructions will be sent to institutions from payments@abet.org in October following the September 1 submission deadline.  Payment should be completed within 30 days of the invoice date, preferably by November 30.

Learn More

Section I.C.5.b. of the most up-to-date Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual (APPM) offers detailed instructions and policies related to the Readiness Review.  If there is interest in learning about the internal guidelines given to Readiness Reviewers on how to conduct a Readiness Review, see this Readiness Review Guidelines document.