EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMPETENCY TEST

 

What’s on the test?  The competency test consists of two parts:  an in-class grammar test and an out of class essay.

 

When is the test given?  The competency test is given ¾ of the way through the semester.  The retake of the competency test is given near the end of the semester. You will have 40 minutes for the grammar and an hour and a half for the essay. There will be two seatings for each test; times and dates will be announced in class.

 

What is a passing score on the test?   To pass the course, every student in English 111 must pass her coursework and both the grammar and the essay parts of the competency test.  To pass the test free and clear, a student must make 60 or better on the proofreading and at least a 2- on the essay.  Students who do not make at least a 60 on the proofreading and a 2- on the essay must retake the part(s) on which they failed to reach a passing score.   If a student’s highest score after two attempts at the essay is a 1+, the score is considered passing (the equivalent of a D).  Note:  Passing the test does not insure passing the course. You must pass both the competency test and your coursework in order to complete ENG 111 and move on.  If you pass the competency test but fail the course, you will have to repeat the entire course, including taking the competency test again.  If you fail the competency test but are doing passing work in the class, you must still repeat the class.

 

How should students prepare for the test?  In addition to regular study, students are strongly encouraged to attend grammar sessions provided through the Learning Center.  They may also sign up for one-on-one tutoring in the Learning Center, and they may tune in to “Miss Grammar” on MCTV.  They may practice grammar using the “Patient Griselda” web site; a link is available on the English home page (http://meredith.edu/english.)

Finally, they make take advantage of intensive review sessions during the week before the test.

 

Where do students go to take the test?  Instructors will announce the testing rooms. International students and others with special needs will take the test in a specified room so that they may have additional time.

 

What should students bring to the test?    Students may bring dictionaries to use while they are writing the in-class essay. Students should write their own names and their teachers’ names on both parts of the test.  The essay portion should be written in ink.

 

When will the tests be graded?  Teachers of English 111 will gather to cross-grade the essay portion of the test on the night following the test.  Each essay will be evaluated by two graders:  a faculty member who is not the student’s teacher and the student’s regular English 111 instructor.  Students are shown their results on the test but are not allowed to take the test papers out of the classroom.