Getting Into the Right English Course
The Department of English is one of several departments on campus that uses a placement test to ensure that you're in the right course.
Before you'll be able to register for any English courses at UNO, you'll need English placement. The only way for you get placement is by taking our English Proficiency and Placement Exam EPPE). If you haven't already taken the EPPE, you should log into MavLink and register for the exam under the Academics tab.
If you have taken the EPPE, you'll find your exam score explained below, along with information about AP scores and frequently asked questions about English placement.
| EPPE Scores Explained |
| Advanced Placement (AP) scores and English Placement |
| Frequently Asked Questions about English Placement |
EPPEE Scores Explained
| Score | Meaning | Suggested Course |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | You've placed out of 1000 level composition and should contact your academic advisor regarding completion of your English and/or writing requirements. | See Advisor |
| 1160 |
You've placed into ENGL 1160 or ENGL 1164 English Composition, the "second" semester of English Composition. 1160 and 1164 are equivalent, three credit-hour courses. 1164 meets in a computer lab and carries a $4 lab fee, but computer literacy is NOT a requirement for 1164. |
ENGL 1160 or 1164 |
| 1150 | You've placed into ENGL 1150 or ENGL 1154 English Composition, the "first" semester of English Composition. 1150 and 1154 are equivalent, three credit-hour courses. 1154 meets in a computer lab and carries a $4 lab fee, but computer literacy is NOT a requirement for 1154. You must complete 1150 or 1154 with a grade of "C-" or better to enroll in 1160 or 1164. | ENGL 1150 or 1154 |
| 1200 | You've placed into ENGL 1200, Autobiographical Reading & Writing. This course will provide you with General Education Humanities credit in addition to practice with reading and writing. After completing 1200, you will be able to retake the EPPE and attempt testing into Composition I. | ENGL 1200 |
| 1100 | You've placed into ENGL 1100, English as a Second Language (II), a three credit-hour course in vocabulary, grammar, and composition skills for non-native speakers. You must complete 1100 with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in 1150 or 1154. | ENGL 1100 |
| 1090 |
You've placed into ENGL 1090, English as a Second Language (I), a three credit-hour course in vocabulary, grammar, and composition skills for non-native speakers. You must complete 1090 with a grade of "C-" or better before enrolling in 1100. |
ENGL 1090 |
| 1000 | You have not placed into any Department of English courses at UNO. This placement is reserved for non-native English speakers. See your international academic advisor. | See Advisor |
Advanced Placement Scores & English Placement
The Department of English at UNO uses scores on the Language and Composition or the Literature and Composition Advanced Placement (AP) examinations to place students into appropriate English composition courses at UNO based on the following scale:
| AP Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| 3 | Placement into ENGL 1150 or 1154 (Composition I) |
| 4 | Placement into ENGL 1160 or 1164 (Composition II) |
| 5 | Proficiency in Composition I and II |
Frequently Asked Questions about the EPPE & English Placement
Who takes the EPPE?
The following students need to take the EPPE:
- Undergraduate students who are first-time freshmen
- All international students, including some applying for graduate studies (students in this situation should check with advisors)
- Undergraduate transfer students not transferring equivalent composition courses into UNO
Students transferring in college composition credit deemed as equivalent to those classes at UNO or students presenting a 3, 4, or 5 on either Advanced Placement exams in English do NOT have to take the EPPE.
Can I use my ACT or SAT score for placement?
The Department of English does not use ACT or SAT composite scores or subscores for placement into its composition courses. We also do not accept placement examinations from other institutions.
When and how are results posted?
Placement results are emailed or available for viewing within approximately 10 business days or less (excluding weekends and holidays) from the test date.
Goodrich Applicants: If you are applying for the Goodrich Scholarship Program, you must take the EPPE, regardless of any other college credit you may be transferring in or taking at UNO (AP credit, dual enrollment credit, transfer credit). You do not need to retake the EPPE if you have taken it within the past two years.
If you have not received your placement results, contact the Goodrich Program at 402.554.2274 before contacting the Department of English office, even if you have not been accepted into the Goodrich Program or your acceptance is pending.
Goodrich applicants' EPPE results may take longer than 10 days to post.
International students may also experience a delay in results.
What about transfer and international students?
Students transferring courses equivalent to UNO's Composition I or Composition I and II (with grades of C or better) do not need to take the EPPE if transferring from the following colleges:
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)
- Nebraska State Colleges
- Nebraska community colleges
Students transferring courses equivalent to UNO’s Composition I or Composition I and II (with grades of C or better) that were earned at other accredited American community colleges, colleges, or universities (including equivalent credit earned in dual enrollment programs), may not need to take the EPPE. Students should check with their academic advisors or call the Department of English at 402.554.3476 for specific equivalency questions.
International students please note: English composition courses earned at foreign universities are NOT considered equivalent to UNO's composition sequence; exceptions to this may be courses deemed equivalent from baccalaureate programs from English speaking countries or provinces (England, English speaking Canada, Australia, etc.).
Can the EPPE be taken multiple times?
Students may take the EPPE twice in a calendar year, and results are valid indefinitely.
Please note: Currently, MavLINK does not necessarily display a student's highest placement result. If this is the case, students should please contact the Department of English at 402.554.3476.