North Harris College

Departmental Policy Statement

GRAMMAR PROFICIENCY EXAM

Every student who enrolls in English 1301 at North Harris College must score 26 on the English department's grammar proficiency exam in order to receive credit for the course, NO MATTER WHAT THE STUDENT'S OTHER GRADES IN THAT COURSE MAY BE. Any student who fails to score a 26 will receive an F in English 1301 unless he chooses to withdraw from the course by the withdrawal date.

Students will be allowed to take the proficiency exam three times; different forms of the test will be given as re-takes.  The initial test will be administered by the instructor during the first weeks of class.  Students who fail to score a 26 will either be given handouts that will help them determine their weaknesses or will meet with their instructors for an analysis of the test. Qucik Access, Qucik Access on-line materials, The Grammar Proficiency Packet, and the materials in the Learning Center can be used by students to prepare for re-taking the test.  Re-takes will be given by the staff in the Assessment Center.  ALL RE-TAKES SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE COLLEGE'S WITHDRAWAL DATE.

The test must be passed in the semester the student wishes to earn credit for the course.  If a student enrolls in English 1301, passes the test, and drops or chooses to repeat the course later to earn a higher grade, he must pass the test again when he re-enrolls in the course or he will receive an F.  In other words, a passing score cannot be transferred from one semester to another.

If a student fails to pass the Proficiency Exam after three tries but is earning a grade of C or better in English 1301, his or her instructor may petition the department for a re-test. This final test will take the form of a writing sample.