Waiver of English 101

General Information

English 101 is a prerequisite for all English general education requirements. You may seek a waiver for this course through an exam administered by the English Department.  It is only offered once each semester for a limited period. 

Who is Eligible?

Any enrolled or new admitted student whose Freshman Composition requirement is not already met, in progress, or exempt by Mason is eligible for the exam.

This means that any student is eligible if they have not:

  • transferred in an equivalent course to ENGH 100/101 from another university
  • already completed or attempted ENGH 100/101 or are not currently taking the course
  • received the AP score required to receive an ENGH 101 waiver
  • previously taken the ENGH 101 exam

Note: Students who have completed an AA or AS degree in the Virginia Community College system or have earned a B.A. or B.S. degree should check with their advisers, as they may already be exempt.

Registration 

Registration is required.  Please send an email to sremicks@gmu.edu with your full name, G# at least seven days before you take the exam.

The exam is administered through Blackboard using the Respondus Lockdown Browser. You are responsible for accessing the exam site, downloading the browser and completing the test exam prior to taking the waiver exam. 

Instructions for accessing the exam site will be emailed to you once your registration eligibility is verified and the student agreement form is received.  

You will need a MAC, PC or IPad with internet access and a webcam to take this exam.

You will receive an email notification if an exam is cancelled or rescheduled or when results have been posted.  You may also contact Stacey Remick-Simkins at sremicks@gmu.edu or call 703-993-1162 for information.

It is the policy for George Mason University to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities.  If you need assistance or accommodations, please let Stacey Remick-Simkins know as soon as possible. 

Description of the Exam

This is an optional three-hour skills assessment essay exam. It is one option for completing the ENGH 101 general education requirement.  You do not need to complete the exam to register for the course.

You will be required to complete a student agreement form which states that:

  • This is an optional exam
  • Taking the exam does not guarantee a waiver
  • If I receive a waiver, it will only appear in my degree evaluation in patriotweb (I do not receive credit hours and my GPA is not effected).
  • Exam results notifications are only sent by GMU email.
  • You are responsible for contacting Stacey Remick-Simkins (sremicks@gmu.edu) if you do not receive your results.
  • You are responsible for having an alternative registration plan in the event you receive a no-pass since the committee does not consider registration deadlines or graduation deadlines when reviewing exams.
  • If you receive a no-pass, you cannot retake the exam and must enroll for ENGH 101.

Notification of Results

You will receive an email notification if an exam is cancelled or rescheduled or when results have been posted.  You may also contact Stacey Remick-Simkins at sremicks@gmu.edu or call 703-993-1162 for information.

If you pass the exam, you will receive a waiver for ENGH 101 but will not receive three credits. Your waiver will appear only in your degree audit. If you receive a no-pass, you cannot retake the exam. You will be required to complete the course.

Exam FAQs

* Does the exam cost? No, there is no cost for taking the exam and you do not pay tuition if you receive the waiver.

* How often is the exam scheduled? They are scheduled online and face-to-face each semester during a 2-3 week period.  The schedule is posted on this site.  Exams will not be offered outside of the exam dates provided.

* Does a CLEP exam from another school make me eligible for a waiver? We do not accept CLEP or any other waiver scores for equivalent courses from other institutions.