GSP and Word Processing Tests
A score of at least 45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation (GSP) Test and a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing Test are required for admission to J315 News Media Writing & Editing and most upper-division journalism courses. Before pre-journalism majors may register for any upper-division journalism courses, they must make a formal application for upper-division standing in one of the four areas of study within the School of Journalism: print, broadcast news, photojournalism or multimedia. Please see "Applying to Upper Division" for more information.
Students with transfer credit for J315 or its equivalent must also take and pass the GSP and Word Processing Tests in order to register for upper-division journalism courses. Students who do not fulfill this requirement will be dropped from these courses, normally before the 12th class day.
The tests 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.
Both tests are offered regularly throughout the year at the Measurement and Evaluation Center (MEC). You must register for the tests online. Please note that each test has its own registration page; you must register for the tests separately. Registration closes 24 hours prior to the test. You cannot register for a test on the day of its administration.
The fee for each test is $45 (subject to change) for a total of $90. When you confirm your registration for a test, you will be billed immediately for a nonrefundable 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. Please see the MEC Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation page and the MEC Word Processing sites for more information on registration and testing policies.
College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test
The computerized adaptive GSP test has three parts: Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation. The computer program presents approximately 20 multiple-choice items for each of the three parts of the test. There is no penalty for guessing. You may select the order in which you take the parts of the test. The test is self-paced; most students complete the test in about 45 minutes.
The score on each of the three parts is reported on a 20 to 80 scale. The composite score is the average of the scores on the three parts. A composite of 45 or higher is a passing score. The composite score and a subscore for each of the three parts will be reported on the computer screen and made available to the School of Journalism. The School of Journalism determines satisfactory scores. This test does not serve as a basis for awarding credit.
Study aids are kept on reserve at the Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL).
School of Journalism Word Processing Test
Your score on the Word Processing Test 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 five-minute tests, which consist of transcribing journalistic material. If you pass the first five-minute test, you do not have to take the second five-minute test.