Oral English Competency Test

Students who wish to satisfy the oral English competency requirement by successfully completing the Oral English Competency test must pass the exam by the time they have completed 56 hours of academic credit.

Students who transfer 56 or more credit hours here must take the competency examination on the first test date following the conclusion of their first semester. This means that students entering in the fall semester must take the January exam and those entering in the spring semester must take the August exam.

The Oral English Competency examination includes the development and delivery of a ten-to-fifteen-minute public speech accompanied by a properly typewritten or word-processed, detailed outline. A typed outline with complete sentences and a bibliography (10 sources) is required. You will deliver the speech, which is evaluated by judges assigned to oversee the examination. You receive feedback, and those who receive unsatisfactory examination results will be allowed one retest.

Exam results are reported to you in writing through email. If you receive notice of unsatisfactory examination results will be allowed to retest. You may retest only once. Students who fail twice are required to obtain a grade of C (2.0) or better in one of the following Oral English Competency courses: COM 101, 267, 269, 357, TAI 170, 302.

A student sits at a desk with pen in hand, notebook open, and computer open.

Test instructions

  • The Oral English Competency Examination is administered twice a year on the Friday before the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.
  • You must submit the registration form and payment at least two weeks before the test date.
  • The examination is non-transferable.
  • Contact your academic advisor for more information.
TEST OVERVIEW AND REGISTRATION