Getting Into the Right 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. Our department uses the English Placement and Proficiency Exam (EPPE) to place students into the proper level of first-year composition.
EPPE Scores Explained
| 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 or 1164 |
| 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 or 1154 |
| ENGL 4 | You have received an EPPE score of 4. At this time, your essay submission does not demonstrate readiness for ENGL 1150 Composition I. Please register for ENGL 1010 Genre Studies: Prose; ENGL 1020 Genre Studies: Poetry, Drama, and Film; or ENGL 1030 US Cultures in Literature. These General Education courses will expose you to the practice of academic reading and writing. In order to be placed into ENGL 1150 Composition I, you will need to retake the EPPE. | ENGL 1010, 1020, or 1030 |
| ENGL 3 | 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 |
| 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.
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 |
ACT Scores & English Placement
A student who has scored a 20 or higher on both the ACT Reading and English tests is eligible to register for ENGL 1150 Composition I. A student who has scored a 540 or higher on the SAT English test is also eligible to register for ENGL 1150 Composition I.
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 advisers)
- 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 need NOT take the EPPE.
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.
Follow these steps to view your results:
- Login to MavLINK
- Click on Academics
- Under Academics click on Register for Exams
- On the Test Registration Management page
- Under My Past Tests
- Click on Grades under Actions
The Privacy Act prohibits the releasing of test results by phone; please DO NOT phone for your results.
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 advisers 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.
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.
Where can I take the EPPE if I am unable to take it at home?
If you are unable to take the EPPE at home, you may take the EPPE at these campus locations:
- Criss Library
- Testing Center (by appointment – call 402.554.4800)
What if I need technical assistance?
If you need technical assistance because you are having a problem with your NUID, UNO NetID, or Canvas, contact Information Services Technical Support Helpdesk:
Phone: 402.554.4357 or 1.866.866.2721
Email: unohelpdesk@unomaha.edu
Location: 104 Eppley Administration Building, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. by appointment.
