This page describes the ENGL 3020 test-out, eligibility criteria, and test-taking process.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the English 3020 test-out exam, you must
- not be currently enrolled in English 3020
- have at least a junior classification
- have completed English 1500 and 2500
- be taking the test-out exam for the first time (university policy prevents repeats)
The test
The English 3020 test-out exam consists of three parts that will ask you to define and apply various business communication concepts, analyze a specific genre of business communication, and compose within a specific genre responding to a given business communication scenario. Your responses will be evaluated on their incorporation of specific course concepts and principles as well as the content’s depth, accuracy, organization, style, and grammar.
You will take the exam at an ISU Testing Center computer lab, where you must sign up for three separate appointments corresponding to the three parts of the test.
To access the exam at an ISU Testing Center computer lab, you will log in to Canvas with your Iowa State Net-ID and password. You must submit each part of the exam before the end of the 50-minute time frame or the lab closing time, whichever comes first.
Please visit the ISU Test Center for further information on hours and rules.
Accommodation
If you need accommodated testing arrangements, please contact Student Accessibility Services to request a Notification Letter. The completed Notification Letter must be emailed to Administrative Support (isucommsupport@istate.edu) by no later than noon on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Test dates and registration
The Fall 2024 test-out dates are Monday, September 9 – Wednesday, September 11.
You must complete and submit the English 3020 Test-Out Registration Form – Fall 2024. Upon receipt of your registration form, you will receive an email that will provide you with the information you will need to set up your three separate 50-minute sessions for the exam. While you can take all three parts on the same day, you must sign up for each part separately. You will also need to leave the Testing Center between each part so that the staff can clean and prep between sessions.
You must arrange the three separate appointments with the ISU Test Center in advance. If you walk into an ISU Test Center computer lab without a scheduled appointment, you will be turned away.
The Fall 2024 registration deadline is noon on Friday, August 30, 2024. A $100 fee will be placed on your university bill. The $100 fee is nonrefundable unless you cancel your registration by emailing Administrative Support (isucommsupport@istate.edu) by noon on Friday, August 30, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: Appointments with the ISU Test Center for Fall 2024 cannot be booked until August 27, 2024. Please put a reminder on your calendar to book your three sessions on or after August 27, 2024.
Studying for the exam
To prepare for the English 3020 test-out, you should be familiar with the major business communication concepts and principles covered in the course.
To pass the test, you should demonstrate a strong ability to analyze and compose within specific business communication genres and scenarios. You should also be able to understand and apply core business communication practices, including audience analysis, goodwill, positive emphasis, organization, accessibility, and document design principles.
When you register for the exam, you will receive information on preparation material for the exam.
What to bring to the exam
All you need to bring to the exam is your student ID.
Evaluation
Administrators and instructors evaluate your performance using expectations for earning at least a C in the course. All parts of the test must receive a satisfactory rating for you to earn T (test-out) credit. You and your advisor will be notified within six weeks of the exam whether you have earned this T credit. If you receive T credit, it will be posted at the end of the semester in which you took the exam.