WORD PROCESSING TEST

General Policy Information for the Academic Year 2009-2010*

*Policies are subject to change.

In order to register for Journalism 315 and most upper-division Journalism courses, you must have a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing Test. Students with transfer credit for Journalism 315, or its equivalent, also must have a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing Test and the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (GSP) Test in order to register for most upper-division journalism courses.

The test does not serve as a basis for course credit. If you think you should be exempted from the WP Test, please consult with the School of Journalism.

The School of Journalism requires journalism and public relations students who wish to register for Journalism J315 to take the word processing test to ensure that they enter the above courses with word processing skills that will enable them to handle writing assignments efficiently and submit assignments punctually. Word processing skills are expected to be adequate for participation in those courses, not necessarily expert. Your score will be based on both speed and accuracy. Satisfactory performance is at least 29 corrected words per minute on the computerized word processing test. At the test session, you are given a brief warm-up period on the computer. Then you are given the opportunity to take two 5-minute tests, which consist of transcribing journalistic material. If you pass the first 5-minute test, you do not have to take the second 5-minute test.

Test Administration

Test Periods: The test is offered regularly on the UT Austin campus.

Test Registration: You must register for a test online. Registration closes twenty-four hours prior to the test. You CANNOT register for a test on the day of its administration.

Test Registration for Students with Disabilities: If you require academic accommodations or assistance due to a documented disability, you should contact these two offices at least five business days before the day of the test:

• Services for Students with Disabilities, in the Office of the Dean of Students at ssd@uts.cc.utexas.edu, http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/ssd/, or (512) 471-6259 to seek approval for authorized accommodations;
• DIIA-Student Testing Services at (512) 232-2662 to register and make arrangements to take the test.

Registration Fee and Test Fee Payment: The total test fee is $45 (subject to change). When you confirm your registration for a test you will be immediately billed a non-refundable test registration fee of $15. The remainder of the test fee will be billed after you take the test. Payment is due within 14 days after the test administration. The Web site gives a full explanation on how to pay for your test fees.

Repeating the Test: This test may be taken a maximum of three times. If you do not make a satisfactory score after the third time, please consult the School of Journalism.

Admission to the Test Room: At the test room you must present a generally accepted form of identification that includes both your signature and a photograph. Without such identification, you will be admitted only if you bring and relinquish a photograph of yourself.

Test Results: Results are available on the computer screen at the end of your testing session.