Walker College of Business Basic Skills Proficiency Tests
Students should plan to take the Basic Skills Proficiency Tests early in the first semester of the sophomore year. The tests will be available early in the semester for all business students; a make up test will be given after preregistration in the fall and spring for students who might meet COB admission requirements by the end of the semester and who haven't yet taken or passed the tests. Students who do not take the test until the makeup test is offered may not be able to register for certain business courses during preregistration.
Students who wait to take these tests later than the recommended term run the risk of delaying admission to the COB and being unable to continue taking business course work.
The schedule for the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test and Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test is always available on the College of Business Advising home page. The test will typically be given several times during a week early in each semester for anyone ready to take it. A make up test will be given later in the semester only for students who did not take or pass the test earlier and who must pass the test in that semester in order to be admitted at the end of that semester. Students taking the make-up test will not have their tests scored prior to preregistration and may be unable to preregister for certain COB courses.
Writing tests
Registering for the test
Registration for the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test is online and can be accessed from the College of Business website. A link to the registration form will be made available approximately four weeks prior to each testing period. The deadline for registration for the test will be approximately one week prior to the test date. No late registrations will be accepted.
Description of the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test:
The Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test requires that you have already successfully completed at least 30 semester hours and the University’s Core Writing Requirement (English 1000 and English 1100 or equivalent) either by taking and passing these required courses or by exemption or through AP or transfer credit. You cannot take this test without having first satisfied this requirement.
The Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test evaluates your university-level writing skills and abilities. You will be asked to respond in writing to a hypothetical situation (for instance, Appalachian State University is planning a new event for Homecoming. Provide some suggestions for how the University can attract participants for that event among students, alumni and townspeople).
The Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test measures how well you are able to formulate a coherent, well-organized response. It will also evaluate how well you demonstrate basic college-level writing skills such as identifying, organizing, and supporting key topics with sufficient detail and demonstrating an appropriate level of understanding and applying basic grammatical principles (e.g., subject/verb agreement, complete sentences, and so on).
The Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test offers you one hour in which to read the test scenario, formulate a response, and write and polish your response.
How to prepare for the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test
No advanced preparation is required to take this test. You can get assistance with preparing for the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test in the University Writing Center with a series of one-on-one sessions (the semester before you will be taking the test) or a group workshop/information session prior to exam dates. Additional information is available at the University Writing Center website.
Writing Test FAQ
Do I have to take the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test to be admitted to the College of Business?A. If you are a business major who entered ASU Fall 2004 or after and you have not been admitted to the College of Business, you are required to pass the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test to gain admission to the College of Business.
Who does not have to take the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test to be admitted to the College of Business?A. If you entered ASU prior to Fall 2004 (and have not moved to the Fall 2004 catalog), you do not have to take this test even if you have not yet been admitted to the COB.
When is the best time to take the test?A. Ideally, all COB admission requirements should be met by the beginning of the junior year. For this reason, most students should take the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test early in their sophomore year. You must have completed 30 semester hours and ENG 1000 and ENG 1100 to take the test. By taking the test early in your sophomore year, you will have a chance to retest in the second semester of the sophomore year if necessary.
Students who wait until the junior year to take the test may find that they are unable to continue taking required classes while trying to be admitted to the College of Business.
Can I take the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test if I haven't registered?A. No! You are required to register for the test by the deadline. No late registrations will be accepted.
Can I change my writing test date once I have registered?A. No, you will not be allowed to change your test date after registering for the test. Please be sure to check your schedule before you register for the test. If, after registering for the test, you find that you cannot attend during that time, you should contact Dr. Lynn Searfoss (searfossla@appstate.edu) in the English department to inform her of your cancellation. Then, you should remember to register for the test the following semester.
If I miss the tests during the dates they are offered, can I take a make-up test?A. There will be no individual make-up tests. The test will be offered each semester. If you miss all of the test dates for the semester, you will have to wait until the next time it is offered during the next semester. Test dates will be posted on the COB Advising web site as soon as they are available.
What if I have to miss the test and then cannot be admitted to the College of Business?A. Because you have numerous opportunities to take the writing test, there will be no exceptions made if you are unable to take the test and then find that you are unable to continue taking 3000/4000 level business courses due to not being admitted to the COB. For this reason, it is very important that you take the test as early as you are eligible to do so.
What should I bring to the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test?A. For the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test, you must bring a picture I.D. and two sharpened #2 pencils. You do not need to bring paper. Also, do not bring dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic helpers, etc. If you are found with these during the test, your test will not be counted and you will have to take it at another time.
Do I need to come early to the test?A. It is a good idea to come about ten minutes early so that you can check in and get settled before the test begins. If you arrive late for the test, you will not be admitted.
How will I know if I passed the test?A. About two weeks after taking the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test, you will receive an email about your writing test score with information about what you may need to work on. If you did not make a passing grade, it will be very important for you to read the information provided to help you to know what areas of writing you need to work on.
The test is scored on a scale of 1 to 10, with ten being best. A score of 6 or higher is required to pass the test and demonstrate proficiency.
Passing scores: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Failing Scores: 2, 3, 4, 5
What do I do if I passed the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test?A. If you passed the test, you need do nothing else. Your test score has been recorded in your academic record (not on your transcript) and will be available for the College of Business to check when you apply for admission to the College.
What do I do if I did not pass the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test?A. If you did not pass the test, you are very strongly advised to make an appointment with a Writing Consultant at the University Writing Center in room 008 of the New Belk Library to work on those areas of your writing that require improvement. You may call 262-3144 to make your first appointment. A copy of your writing test will be provided to your Writing Consultant, and you may wish to take other samples of your writing with you to that first meeting so that an efficient plan may be developed to help you prepare to retake the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test. Additional information about special services offered by the University Writing Center to assist you with preparing for the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency test is available on the University Writing Center website.
Will my scores show up on my official transcript?A. No, the scores of the Basic Writing Skills Proficiency Test will not show up on your official transcript.
Computer tests
Registering for the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test
Registration for the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test is online several weeks prior to the test. A SAM Challenge code should be purchased (approximately $15) from the University Bookstore AFTER you receive notification of your assigned test date and time.
Description of the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test
The Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test offers you one hour to complete a series of computer tasks using the software skills in the Areas to Study document.
When should I arrive for the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test?
You must arrive fifteen minutes early so that you can check in and get settled before the test begins. If you arrive late for the test, you will not be admitted.
What should I bring with me to the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test?
For the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency Test, you must bring a picture I.D. and a SAM Challenge code that you must purchase at the University Bookstore. Codes can only be used once. Cell phones and other electronic devices must be turned off prior to entering the exam.
Computer Test FAQ
Who must pass a Basic Computer Proficiency Skills Test in order to be admitted to the College of Business?A. Students who entered ASU fall 2004 or after or who are using a fall 2004 or afterwards catalog must pass the Basic Computer Skills Proficiency test in order to be admitted to the COB (unless all other admission requirements were met prior to Spring 2006).
What if I entered ASU prior to fall 2004 but I haven't yet been admitted to the COB?A. If you entered ASU prior to fall 2004 and have not chosen to move to the fall 2004 or later catalog requirements, then you do not have to take the proficiency tests even if you have not yet been admitted to the COB (students returning under the "forgiveness policy" must use the catalog that is current at the time of re-entry).
How will I know if I passed the test?A. You will receive a message on your computer screen immediately after you have completed your exam. The test is scored on a scale of 0 to 100 with 100 being a perfect score. A score of 60 or greater is required to pass the test and to demonstrate proficiency.
