Getting Into the Right Course
The Department of English offers several pathways for placement into the English Composition sequence.
Dual Enrollment/Transfer Credit Placing out of ENGL 1150/1160
Dual Enrollment/Transfer CreditPlacementDual Enrollment/Transfer credit equivalent to ENGL 1160Proficiency in Composition I and II Dual Enrollment/Transfer equivalent to ENGL1150 Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition IIUNO automatically accepts transfer courses equivalent to UNO's Composition I or Composition I and II (with grades of C- or better) transferring from the following colleges:
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
- University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK)
- Nebraska State Colleges
- Nebraska community colleges
Transfer credit for courses that are not currently on UNO's transfer list will need to be evaluated to determine whether the student can receive credit for ENGL1140/1150/1160.
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.).
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 |
|---|---|
| 5 | Proficiency in Composition I and II |
| 4 | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| 3 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
ACT/SAT Scores & English Placement
| ACT Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| Reading or English score of 29+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| Composite score of 27+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| Composite score of 14-26 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Composite score <13 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| SAT Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| Reading and English score of 660+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| Composite score of 1260+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| Composite score of 761-1259 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Composite score <760 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
Last Know High School/College Transfer GPA
| High School GPA | Placement |
|---|---|
| GED/GPA more than 5 years old | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| High School GPA of 2.3+ | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| High School GPA <2.3 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| No ACT/GPA due to Immigration/Refugee Status | Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
| College Transfer GPA | Placement |
|---|---|
| Last Known College GPA 2.0+ | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Last Known College GPA <2.0 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
International Students (IELTS, TOEFL, TOEFLiBT Scores)
| IELTS | Placement |
|---|---|
| 7.5+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| 7 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Exchange/Study Away students without Test Scores | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| 6-6.5 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| <6 | Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
| TOEFL | Placement |
|---|---|
| 601+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| 526-600 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Exchange/Study Away students without Test Scores | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| 500-525 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| <500 |
Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
| TOEFLiBT | Placement |
|---|---|
| 95+ | Placement into ENGL 1160 Composition II |
| 70-94 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Exchange/Study Away students without Test Scores | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| 58-69 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| <58 |
Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
| Duolingo | Placement |
|---|---|
| NA* | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition II |
| 130+ | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Exchange/Study Away students without Test Scores | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| 105-129 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| 95-104 |
Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
* Because the Duolingo English Test primarily assesses fluency and vocabulary and has minimal or no academic writing structure components, the score requirements for First Year Writing placement are higher and students who only have Duolingo scores are not eligible for placement into ENGL 1160. If you have questions, please contact the First Year Writing Program Director, Dr. Kay Siebler, at ksiebler@unomaha.edu.
| PTE (Pearson) | Placement |
|---|---|
| 64+ | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition II |
| 50-63 | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| Exchange/Study Away students without Test Scores | Placement into ENGL 1150 Composition I |
| 46-49 | Placement into ENGL 1140 Composition I with Support |
| 44-45 |
Placement into ENGL 1090 English as a Second Language |
ENGL 1150 Waiver Exam
If a student wants to challenge an ENGL1150 placement because they believe they can succeed in ENGL1160, they will schedule a 1150 Waiver Exam in the UNO Testing Center to be scored by the Director of First Year Writing. There will be a $25 fee for this exam. These waiver exams will be offered twice a year, during the first full week in January and the last full week in July.
Registering for the ENGL 1150 Waiver Exam
- Enter via MavLINK - Click on Academics
- Under Academics - Click on Register for Exams
- On the Test Registration Management page - next to My Pending Tests
- Click on the Click Here to Register for an Exam
- Under Choose a Group - Click on Waiver Exams
- Under Choose a Group - Click on the English Department (ENGL)
- Under Choose an Exam
- Click on your - ENGL 1150 College Writing Waiver Exam D. Pendley
- Under Choose a Date
- In the calendar - Click on the Day you want to take the exam
- Under Choose a Time – Click on a Time to take your exam in the drop-down box
- Scroll to Bottom of Page - Click on Add to Cart
- On the Next Page
- Finish registering for your exam by Clicking on Complete Registration
You will receive an auto-response email confirming the location, date, and time of your exam.
You will not be able to take the exam if you check in outside the dates and times noted in the registration system.
Bring photo ID to the Testing Center on exam day.
There is a $25 exam fee payable to the Testing Center on exam day prior to taking your exam. Cash, check or credit card payments are accepted.
Please contact the UNO Testing Center by email at unotestingcenter@unomaha.edu or by phone at 402.554.4800 with any questions.
The Testing Center is open from 7:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. on M-F (all testing ends at 4:30 P.M.).
Placement results are emailed or available for viewing within approximately 10 business days or less (excluding weekends and holidays) from the test date.
The Privacy Act prohibits the releasing of test results by phone; please DO NOT phone for your results.
How can I get testing Accommodations?
Students who have disabilities or needs that require testing accommodations need to contact Accessibility Services at 402.554.2872 to establish a plan. After your plan is established, email unoeppe@unomaha.edu to inquire about testing accommodations.
EPPE scores prior to Spring 2024
If you took the English Placement and Proficiency exam prior to Spring 2024, your scores will be honored. Please use this chart to determine which class you placed into
| Score | Meaning | Suggested Course |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 7 | You've placed out of 1000 level composition and should contact your academic advisor regarding completion of your English and/or writing requirements. | See Adviser |
| ENGL 6 |
You have received an EPPE score of 6. Please register for ENGL 1160 or ENGL 1164, the "second" semester of English Composition. 1160 and 1164 are equivalent, three credit-hour courses. Honors students should register for ENGL 2160. |
ENGL 1160 |
| ENGL 5 | You have received an EPPE score of 5. Please register for ENGL 1150 or ENGL 1154, the "first" semester of English Composition. 1150 and 1154 are equivalent, three credit-hour courses. | ENGL 1150 |
| ENGL 4 | You have received an EPPE score of 4. Please register for ENGL 1140. | ENGL 1140 |
| ENGL 3 | You have received an EPPE score of 3. Please register for ENGL 1140. | ENGL 1140 |
| ENGL 2 |
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 |
| ENGL 1 | You have not placed into any Department of English courses at UNO. This placement is reserved for non-native English speakers. See your academic advisor or contact the English Department. | See Advisor |
|
ENGL 0 |
You have not followed directions. Please register to take the EPPE again. When you retake it, please follow the directions. |
Retake the EPPE |
EPPEs Taken Before December 2019
If you took the EPPE before December 2019 and received a score of ENGL 1050 or ENGL 1200, please retake the EPPE.
If you received a score of ENGL 2000, please see your advisor. If you received a score of ENGL 1160, please register for Composition II, and if you received a score of ENGL 1150, please register for Composition I.
