As a CSU student, you will be required to take the Composition Placement/Challenge Examination if you do not fall into one of the following categories:
- You scored 600 or higher on the SAT critical reading or 26 or higher on the ACT English and submitted those scores to Colorado State. In this case you will be placed into CO150 and should sign up for the course your first or second semester at the university. (For students enrolled at CSU prior to Fall 2008, you will be placed into CO150 if you scored 500 or higher on the SAT verbal or 20 or higher on the ACT English);
- You received transfer credit from Colorado State for a course equivalent to CO150 (College Composition) and thus have satisfied the All-University Core Curriculum requirement for CO150;
- You submitted Advanced Placement exam results that document a 5 earned in English Composition and Literature or a 4 or 5 earned in English Language and Composition and thus have satisfied the All-University Core Curriculum requirement for CO150;
- You submitted International Baccalaureate scores that document a 5, 6, or 7 earned for English and thus have satisfied the All-University Core Curriculum requirement for CO150;
- You received transfer credit for a course equivalent to CO130. In this case you will be placed into CO150 and should sign up for the course your first or second semester at the university.
A fee of $40 will be assessed to your student account for completion of the exam.
Students who do not have the appropriate SAT/ACT scores, MUST take the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam—they CANNOT automatically register for CO130. Students required to take the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam are strongly encouraged to complete the exam online before participating in an Orientation and Registration Program. Placement exams are not a regularly scheduled part of the on-campus Orientation Programs. Students who have completed the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam online in advance of Orientation will be better prepared to plan an optimal schedule of classes with their adviser during Orientation. If you did not take the exam online before arriving at CSU, you are encouraged to take the exam in a proctored setting as soon as possible after arriving at the University.
Some students who demonstrate lower skill levels on the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam will need to complete CO130, Academic Writing, before taking CO150. They should register for CO130 their first semester and CO150 their second semester. Students with satisfactory scores on the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam should take CO150 their first or second semester.
OnLine Exam Dates: Incoming students may take the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam one time in a non-proctored (online) setting prior to their term of admission using a compatible personal computer. Students may retake the test on campus in a proctored setting only ONCE. If a student does choose to retake the test, the $40 exam fee will be charged to their student account. To qualify for course credit by exam (CO150-Section 550 credit), students must take the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam on campus in a proctored setting. Students cannot earn credit for CO150 by taking the online Composition Placement/Challenge Exam.
In order to take the online placement exam, students will need their 9-digit CSUID number (this number begins with an “8”). Students will also need to type in their email address. Students taking this exam will be assessed a $40.00 fee, which will be billed to their student account. Students may work on their essays for a maximum of 90 minutes.
The Composition Placement/Challenge Exam will be available on the following days and times ONLY:
The examination will be available at the following times:
Date: July 8, 2008
Starting Time: 7:00 PM MDT
Date: July 9, 2008
Starting Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Date: July 10, 2008
Starting Time: 7:00 PM MDT
Students can check their placement by checking their homepage on RAMweb. Under "Records", select "Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Results."
Students taking the online Composition Placement Exam on June 30, July 1 and July 2 can check their placement on the afternoon of Thursday, July 3.
Students taking the online Composition Placement Exam on July 8, July 9, and July 10 can check their placement on the afternoon of Friday, July 11.
Your Options for Challenging Placement Decisions
If students wish to challenge their placement into a composition course:
- Students who are placed into CO150 by virtue of their SAT or ACT score may challenge CO150 by taking the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam in a proctored (not online) setting. Students who successfully challenge CO150 on the Placement/Challenge Exam will receive 3 credits for CO150-Section 550 on their transcript for the upcoming or current semester.
- Students who have a transfer equivalent for CO130, Academic Writing, will be allowed to register for CO150. These students may also challenge CO150 by taking the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam in a proctored (not online) setting.
Composition Placement/Challenge Exams are conducted throughout the academic year in a proctored setting. You do not need to register for one of the proctored test sessions—just show up. Exams take roughly an hour. You should bring a pen and a student or valid picture I.D. You may not use a dictionary or other aids. To learn more about the exams, click below:
What's Involved in Taking the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam?
The Composition Placement/Challenge Examination is a 60-minute impromptu summary-response essay test. For the test, you will:
- Read a two-page article.
- Summarize its main ideas in an organized and detailed essay.
- Explain why you agree and/or disagree with what the article says.
Be certain to support your position with specific examples from your experience, outside reading, and/or with an analysis of the essay's argument.
How Can I Prepare to Take the Placement/Challenge Exam?
To prepare for the exam, we suggest that you read an argumentative article in a newspaper or magazine. You can then summarize the main ideas of the argument, explain whether you agree or disagree with the author's viewpoint, and then support your agreement and/or disagreement.
The following writing guides on Writing@CSU can help you prepare for the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam.
What are the Potential Outcomes of the Placement/Challenge Exam?
As a result of this examination, you will be placed in one of four categories:
- The Writing Center Tutorial
- CO130 (Academic Writing)
- CO150 (College Composition)
- CO150-Section 550 (automatic credit for CO150).
The results of being placed in these categories are:
- If you are placed in the Writing Center, you will be required to complete a writing tutorial in the Writing Center (in the basement of Eddy Hall, room 6, (970) 491-0222) before enrolling in the next level writing course. You will need to stop by the Writing Center the first or second week of the fall or spring semester to schedule your tutorial hour. You will work with a tutor for one hour a week, for at least one semester, strengthening your writing skills.
- If you are placed in CO130 (Academic Writing), you will register for a section just as you register for other courses at CSU. CO130 is designed to provide an intensive writing experience which will strengthen your writing abilities in preparation for CO150, the required first-year writing course. CO130 serves as a prerequisite for CO150.
- If you are placed in CO150, you will register for a section just as you register for other courses at CSU.
- Should you test out of CO150, you will be given 3 credits and the grade "S" for CO150-Section 550 (College Composition-Placement).
How Can I Find Out About Placement/Challenge Exam Results?
Students can check their placement on their RAMweb homepage. Under Records, select Composition Placement/Challenge Exam Results.
What if I Have Questions or Want to Make an Appeal?
If you have questions about your examination or your placement, please contact Sue Russell, the Composition Program Administrative Assistant in the English office, at (970) 491-1898 or email her at Sue.Russell@colostate.edu and make an appointment to review your examination with the Placement Director. You will not be allowed to retake the examination without special permission.
What if I've taken an Advanced Placement Test?
If you have taken the Advanced Placement in Literature or Composition test and scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Language and Composition examination or a 5 on the AP Composition and Literature examination you are exempt from both the Composition Placement/Challenge Exam and CO150. Credit for CO150 will be entered on your transcript. Contact Sue Russell, the Composition Program Administrative Assistant in the English office, at (970) 491-1898 or email her at Sue.Russell@colostate.edu, if you have any questions or concerns.
What if I Have Transfer Credits from another Institution?
If you have earned transfer credit for CO150, College Composition, you will not be required to take the Placement/Challenge Exam. On the transfer evaluation, check whether the Written Communication requirement (1A) of the All University Core Curriculum has been completed or needs to be completed. If you are uncertain about your status, you should contact the Transfer and Degree Office in room 100 Administration Annex or call (970) 491-7147.
If you desire Colorado State equivalency for CO150 for a transferred course that does not have an equivalent noted on the transfer evaluation report, please contact Sue Russell, the Composition Program Administrative Assistant in the English office, at (970) 491-1898 or email her at Sue.Russell@colostate.edu.
To learn more about transfer evaluations and advanced placement for composition courses, visit our Transfers and Advanced Placement website.
What is the Withdrawal Policy for CO150?
CO150 is a course with a limited drop period. You may drop the class only during the first four days of the semester. After this time, you may take a 'W' in CO150 only if you withdraw from the University.
If you have a serious medical or family emergency (see categories listed below), the University will accept petitions for a 'W' in CO150. You must bring documentation to the Director of Composition.
Conditions for Withdrawal from CO150
Conditions which make a student eligible to petition for a “W” include only the following: a death in the immediate family; a serious illness or hospitalization; psychological or emotional crisis (under care by a certified professional); or a serious accident that immobilizes or handicaps the student.
The registrar accepts petitions from the Director of Composition through the end of the 'W' Drop Period. After that date each term, students need to petition directly to the Registration Appeals Committee. There is no form to fill out. You need to give your letter of appeal along with any documentation (letter of support from your professor, medical bills, letter from doctor, etc.) and a printout of an unofficial copy of your transcript to Jeanne Breiner, Registrar. Take your appeals packet to the Records Office, Room 100 Administration Annex. Jeanne will forward your appeal to the Provost's Office. You will be notified by email regarding the outcome of your appeal.
What are the Dates of Upcoming Proctored Composition Placement/Challenge Exams?
The Composition Placement/Challenge Examination is given at the beginning of the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters and during registration for Fall and Spring.
Upcoming Proctored Composition Placement/Challenge Examinations
Proctored Test Session dates are below.
Students don't need to sign up for a test
session, just show up with a pen and a photo
ID. It's best to show up 10-15 minutes
early--testing will begin promptly!!
Students can check their placement on
their homepage of RAMweb.
Under Records, select
Composition Placement/Challenge
Exam Results.
If you have questions, please call
Sue Russell at 491-1898 or
email Sue.Russell@colostate.edu
Friday, August 22, 2008
3:30pm Clark A103
Friday, August 22, 2008
5:00pm Clark A103
Saturday, August 23, 2008
9:30am Clark A103
