Placement  Info & FAQ

We want you to begin your college writing experience in the course that best suits your needs.  For this reason we require all students to take a series of placement tests consisting of a placement essay and the COMPASS reading and writing skills tests.  We use a combination of these scores to determine which of the following three courses you should enroll in first.

28-001-095 Preparatory Reading and Writing I (formerly 073)

28-001-097 Preparatory Reading and Writing II (formerly 074)

28-001-099 Preparatory Composition (formerly Preparatory English III, 077)

28-001-101 English Composition I

Once you are placed, successful completion of each course in the order given above is necessary to move to the next course. The English Department enforces it's mandatory placement rules by checking student's eligibility once they have registered for classes. You will not be permitted to remain in a class for which you are not eligible,  and you must have placement test scores or have passed the previous course in the sequence to be eligible for one of the entry-level courses.

  Placement testing is administered by the College Placement Testing Office, Room 205 Muntz.  For general questions about placement, testing times, and scores, phone 745-5783.  For questions and problems dealing specifically with English course placement, contact Marlene Miner, 370 Muntz or phone 745-5684.

IF I TOOK THE PLACEMENT TESTS AT RWC SEVERAL YEARS AGO, DO I HAVE TO TAKE THEM AGAIN?

No, if you took the test within the last three years.  Yes, if it was more than three years ago. If you've been writing and reading, your scores may be better; if you haven't, you may need to refresh your abilities by taking a lower level course.

WHAT IF I TOOK PLACEMENT TESTS AT ANOTHER COLLEGE? 

  If you took English placement tests at another University of Cincinnati college within the past three years, all you need to do is bring the results in writing to the Placement Testing Office or to Marlene Miner in the English Department. If you took a placement test at a different institution, you will need to take our tests.

WHAT IF I'VE TAKEN THE EQUIVALENT OF PREP ENGLISH AT ANOTHER SCHOOL?  

If you have received a grade of C or higher in Preparatory English at Clermont, English for Effective Communication at University College, EECBC at University College/A&S, or Effective Writing at the College of Applied Science, then you are eligible for English Composition I.  Strategic Reading and Writing I and II at University College corresponds to our Prep Reading and Writing I and II, so if you've passed those, you are ready for the next course in the sequence. Sorry, but we don't accept courses below 101 from other institutions.

WHAT IF I PLACE INTO A PREPARATORY CLASS, BUT I THINK I'M READY FOR ENGLISH COMPOSITION ?  CAN'T I TAKE ENGLISH COMPOSITION I AND SEE HOW I DO?  

 No, we have to enforce mandatory placement for everyone if it is to be fair. If you strongly feel you just had an off day when you took the placement test, please contact M. Miner to discuss your options.

WHAT IF THE CLASS I'M SUPPOSED TO TAKE IS FULL OR IS NOT OFFERED AT THE TIME I CAN TAKE IT? 

 We offer as many sections as we think we can fill and staff, but unfortunately sometimes our scheduling doesn't work for you. Your advisor will try to help you with your schedule, and M. Miner can work with you to find a section that might have a space. Other than that, you'll need to wait until the following quarter, and be sure to register early!

WHAT IF I HAVE TAKEN A FIRST-YEAR COMPOSITION COURSE AT ANOTHER UNIVERSITY? 

If you have passed (C or higher) a composition course at the 101 level or above, it will transfer, and you will be given advanced standing. That means you can enter 102 or 103, depending upon the number of hours taken at the other school. 

WHAT IF I TOOK A PREP COMPOSITION COURSE HERE YEARS AGO?

  If you have taken the course here, we will have a record of it and  with a C or higher you are eligible for the next course in the sequence. However, if you've been out of school for a while, you might want to take a lower level course as a refresher. 

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