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EPPE (English Placement and Proficiency Exam)

The English Placement and Proficiency Exam (EPPE), a 90-minute timed essay, is required for undergraduate students (first-time students and transfer students) and international students, including some applying for graduate programs.

You may take the EPPE twice in a calendar year. A third attempt will not be graded!

You may be exempt from taking the EPPE. If you meet the following criteria, check with a UNO academic advisor.

  • Students who took an approved Advanced Placement (AP) English course and a corresponding AP test in high school and present an English AP score of 3 or higher
  • Students with composition credit deemed equivalent to UNO’s ENGL-1150 and/or ENGL-1160

Goodrich Scholarship Program

If you are applying for the Goodrich Scholarship Program, the EPPE is required.

For further informationplease see Apply to the Goodrich Scholarship Program.

International Students

If you are an international student and need to take the English Placement and Proficiency Exam, review the process for International Students.


Special Accommodations

Students who have disabilities or needs that require 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.


Registering for the EPPE

If you are a first-time student or transfer student, you can take the exam online.

  1. First, you need to register via MavLINK (the University Student Information System).
  2. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email that you are registered.
  3. When your login credentials (UNO NetID) are created and your information is added to our exam system, you will receive an email with instructions for taking the EPPE. Get help setting up your login credentials.


Taking the EPPE (View Instructions)

  1. Your UNO NetID credentials (Username and Password) are required to take the English Placement Exam. This is not the 8 digit number. UNO NetID uses parts of your first and last name.
  2. **DURING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, you are no longer required to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser. During these restrictions, skip to item 5 below to continue with the instructions.**
  3. You must download and install a browser titled Respondus Lock Down Browser from this web page.
  4. Open the Respondus Lockdown Browser icon
  5. Log on with your UNO NetID and password into Canvas.
  6. On the Canvas Dashboard select the "Year" English Placement Exam course.
  7. You will need to start with the Read Me First section and complete these steps before entering the exam.
  8. Within the exam answer ALL of the questions.
  9. A 90 minute running timer will appear top right of screen.
  10. ONLY click Submit when you are finished. (Clicking Submit earlier will end your exam.)
  11. Log off Canvas by closing the Lockdown Browser.

Instructions:
You will have 90 minutes to complete this exam. Please use all of your time to craft a strong essay. Be sure to closely read your essay prompt so that you can accurately answer your selected question. Construct a thesis driven well-reasoned argument with ample support. Explore your ideas with depth and honesty. Craft sentences that are varied and well-constructed. Summarize the original author accurately and effectively integrate the author’s points into your essay. Don’t forget to proofread your essay before submitting it.
Answer all questions.

Note:

  • Within the text editor, you can click double arrows up (double arrows up icon) to show more or fewer text editing options.
  • To expand the text box you are typing in to full screen mode, click Full Screen icon (full screen icon). In full screen mode, the test timer disappears. Click the icon again to return to regular screen mode.

Timed Test: This test has a time limit of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This test will automatically save and submit when the time expires.

Multiple Attempts: This test can be taken twice in a calendar year. A third attempt will not be graded! You will have to re-register through MavLINK to take the exam a second time.

Force Completion: This test can be saved and resumed at any point until the time has expired. The timer will continue to run if you leave the test.

Taking the EPPE on Campus

If you are unable to take the EPPE at home or do not wish to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser to your home computer, you may take the EPPE at these campus locations:


Contact Information

If you need help with your NetID, Canvas, or installing the Respondus Lockdown Browser, contact Information Services Technical Support:

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.

Do you have questions about the exam? Contact Dustin Pendley at 402.554.3476 or unoeppe@unomaha.edu.


Results

Your grades can be accessed multiple ways:

OPTION 1

  • Placement results will be emailed to you
OPTION 2
  • Enter via 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

EPPE Scores Explained

Score 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 requirements. See Advisor

ENGL 6

 You have received an EPPE score of 6. Please register for ENGL 1160 the "second" semester of English Composition. 1160 is equivalent three credit-hour course. Honors students should register for ENGL 2160. ENGL 1160

ENGL 5

 You have received an EPPE score of 5. Please register for ENGL 1150 the "first" semester of English Composition. 1150 is equivalent three credit-hour course. ENGL 1150

ENGL 4

 You have received an EPPE score of 4. At this time, your essay submission does not demonstrate readiness for ENGL 1150 Composition 1. 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 1, 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. 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.

For additional information regarding English placement guidelines, please visit the English Placement Information and frequently asked questions page or email unoeppe@unomaha.edu.

The Privacy Act prohibits the releasing of test results by phone; please DO NOT phone for your results.