Frequently Asked Questions About the CUNY Proficiency Examination
Who is required to take the CPE?
All students pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree at CUNY must take and pass the CPE. Passage of the exam is a requirement for the associate degree, while students pursuing a bachelor's degree must pass by the time they have completed their 60th credit.
1. Transfer Students from Outside CUNY
No previous attendance at CUNY. All new transfers must take and pass the CPE.
- Students transferring to a senior college who enter with 45 or more credits must take the CPE in their first semester at CUNY and must pass it by their 60th credit.
- Those who enter with 60 or more credits (unless exempted) must take the CPE at the first administration of the exam after they enter.
- Transfers entering with fewer than 45 credits must take the CUNY Assessment Tests (unless exempted) before entering and follow placement recommendations. They must pass the CPE by the time they have completed their 60th credit.
Previous attendance at CUNY. All students in this category now must take and pass the CPE, no matter when they first enrolled at CUNY. (Same credit conditions as above.)
2. Students transferring within CUNY
- All students transferring within CUNY must fulfill the CUNY skills requirements in reading, writing, and math before transferring.
- Students transferring within CUNY with more than 45 credits should have taken the CPE at least once before transferring.
- Senior colleges may (but are not required to) admit CUNY students to a baccalaureate program if they have completed all requirements for the associate degree except passing the CPE. Like other transfer students, these transfer students must take the exam during the first semester of baccalaureate study and thereafter as required. These transfer students are not eligible for the benefits accorded by the articulation policy of 2000 to associate degree recipients at the senior colleges until they pass the CPE and are awarded the associate degree. Under the articulation policy, students who have completed an associate degree (AA or AS) are able to transfer all of their credits to the senior college.
Exemptions
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree or a higher degree from an accredited program are exempted from CPE requirements.
What are the rules and procedures that apply to taking the CPE?
- You must take the CPE for the first time after you have completed 45 credits. If you are a new transfer student with 45 or more credits, you will take the CPE in your first semester at CUNY, unless deferred (see Deferrals below).
- You may take the CPE for the first time during the semester in which you register for your 45th credit.
- You must be in good academic standing-students whose GPA is below 2.0 may not take the CPE.
- You must take the CPE at your home college.
- You may take the CPE three times and may appeal for a fourth attempt if necessary. However, you may take the exam only once during a given CPE administration.
How do I register for the CPE?
You will register for the CPE at your college testing office early in the semester, 2-3 weeks before the test date:
- Colleges will send letters to students who have completed 45 or more credits reminding them to register.
- If you have completed 45 or more credits, you must register for and take the CPE even if you do not receive a letter from your college. You will forfeit one of your chances to take the CPE if you skip a required administration.
Can the CPE be Substituted for the CUNY Assessment Tests?
Students may no longer meet the CUNY Assessment Tests requirements in reading and writing by passing the CPE.
How should I get ready for the CPE?
The CPE tests skills that you have developed through the course work you have already completed. English composition and writing-intensive courses are good preparation for Task 1, while the skills assessed in Task 2 are addressed primarily in social science, science and mathematics courses. If you have difficulty with writing, arrange to work in the writing or learning center at your college. You can find the location of your college's learning center in the Campus Resources section of this site.
Here are some suggestions for preparation well before the day of the test:
- Become familiar with the CPE format, directions, and grading criteria.
- Every college offers support services for students preparing to take the CPE. Attend an information session or take a workshop.
- Sample test questions, annotated student responses, and scoring guidelines are presented in the Task 1 and Task 2 sections. Review this material carefully.
- When you receive the reading selection for Task 1, you will have about two weeks to study it before the test. Read the selection several times and underline, mark up, highlight, or outline the important points in the text as you would if you were studying for a course examination. Use a dictionary to look up words you do not know.
At the time of the test:
- Follow exactly all instructions announced by the proctor. If you do not follow these instructions, your examination may be voided.
- Plan your answers.
- Follow the directions carefully, answering all parts of the question for each task.
- Summarize only the parts of the readings called for, not the entire reading.
- Explain and support your points fully.
- Keep the reader in mind-focusing your essay, making logical connections between readings (Task 1) or between the reading passage and data (Task 2).
- Reserve time to edit and correct your work.
- Avoid plagiarism by making a clear distinction between your own words and the language of the readings. Please note carefully the following information on plagiarism and its consequences:
Plagiarism
In accordance with The University Policy on Academic Integrity, you must avoid plagiarism by making a clear distinction between your own words and the language of the readings or any other texts you refer to. Identify and document language or ideas that you take from the readings, from any research materials whether gathered from the internet, or from any book or articles you have consulted. For example, you should identify the words of other writers by enclosing them in quotation marks and citing authors and sources.
If you include any language or ideas from another text in your response, you must identify such references with appropriate documentation. If you do not document the source of any research material you include in your response, your examination paper will be scored as a "0" for Task 1 and a "0" for Task 2, and this failure on the test will count as one of your three opportunities to take the CPE. In addition, your test will be referred to your college for appropriate judicial action.
If you would like more information on these issues, please consult The University Policy on Academic Integrity which is available on the CUNY website under "Policies" for current students.
During the Testing Session:
The examination session is supervised by a member of the Testing Office staff acting as a proctor. The proctor's instructions about time limits and examination procedures ensure that all students are treated equally and fairly. It is your responsibility to follow these instructions in a cooperative manner.
- Only test takers and testing office staff persons are permitted to enter the examination room; no parents, children, or friends may accompany you in the examination room during a test session.
- During the CPE, you may use one dictionary or thesaurus (book-type).
- As directed by the proctor, you must pack away any electronic device, such as a cell-phone, calculator, dictionary/thesaurus, electronic speller, iPod, walkman, palm pilot, or laptop.
- During the examination, you may not use an iPod or other electronic device for any purpose.
- You must observe the time limits for each portion of the test as announced by the proctor. If you continue writing beyond the announced time limit, your examination may be voided.
What should I bring with me to the CPE session?
You must bring your copy of the reading selection, but no other papers. In addition, you must bring a pen, a #2 pencil, and picture identification. You may bring one dictionary for use during the test; however, no electronic spellers or other devices may be used.
What are the arrangements for students with disabilities?
Accommodations based on disabilities will be granted to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please contact your college testing office if you require such accommodations.
In rare instances a student with a disability may not reasonably be accommodated within the framework of the test as currently administered. Such students may demonstrate proficiency through an alternative means, to be determined by the academic administration of the college in consultation with the disability coordinator. Students who wish to receive such an accommodation should request it in writing from the appeals committee at least one month in advance of the test administration that the student wishes to attend.
How is the CPE scored?
Task 1 and Task 2 are scored separately by different groups of readers, with the responses to each task being read by two trained readers. If the two readers disagree by more than a minimal amount, the essay is read by a third reader.
Task 1: Analytical Reading and Writing. Four criteria are used to rate each essay:
- Developing an essay that is a focused response to the writing assignment, making appropriate connections among all parts of the assignment;
- Demonstrating understanding of the readings through summary and explanation of relevant material;
- Incorporating, as support for your own thoughts, appropriate references to the readings, identifying the sources formally or informally;
- Communicating clearly and effectively, using appropriate conventions of language (e.g., word choice, grammar, punctuation, spelling).
Task 2: Analyzing and Integrating Material from Graphs and Text. The criteria used to rate your response are:
- identifying and stating the claims in the reading selection accurately; and
- explaining the relationship between these claims and relevant data in the figures with accuracy, clarity, and completeness.
How will I learn my results?
You will receive a letter informing you of your results at the end of the semester in which you take the test. You may also access your CPE scores on eCPE. Follow the login instructions at www.cuny/edu/ecpeinfo.
What happens if I don't pass the CPE the first time I take it?
You may take the CPE three times.
- If you fail the CPE, see a CPE advisor to plan an exam preparation program. You should plan to retest during the next semester. The advisor may recommend one or more of the following activities: tutoring, workshops for students repeating the CPE, writing courses, or writing-intensive courses in a specific discipline.
- If you need a third try, you must see a CPE advisor and complete the recommended instruction before retesting.
- Remember: if you do not take the CPE when you are required to do so, you forfeit one chance to take the test.
Who is the CPE Liaison?
Each college has appointed a faculty member to serve as CPE Liaison. The CPE Liaison can assist students who wish to seek a deferral or appeal. At some colleges, the CPE Liaison is available to review your test results with you if you did not pass the test and recommend an appropriate test preparation program. You can find the name of your college's CPE Liaison in the Campus Resources section.
What is a deferral?
A student may request permission from the appeals committee to defer taking the next required test. After consulting with the CPE Liaison or Adviser, students seeking a deferral must state in writing to the appeals committee the reason for the request and agree to take the CPE at the next administration. If the committee grants the appeal, the student will be notified of the conditions governing the deferral.
The most common conditions for a deferral include, but are not limited to:
- students who are new transfers students required to take the CPE in their first semester,
- students currently enrolled in ESL courses,
- students taking English Composition for the first time in the semester that they are required to take the CPE,
- students who have failed the CPE for the first time.
For specific information on deferrals, please contact your college's testing office. (See Campus Resources.)
How will student appeals be handled?
Appeals of test results. Exams of students who score just below passing will be reviewed automatically.
Other types of appeals. Students may appeal to get permission to take the CPE early (before registering for the 45th credit), or to take the test even though they lack one or more of the pre-requisites. In addition, students may request a deferral, appeal a forfeit, or petition for additional opportunities to test.
For specific information on all appeals procedures, please contact your college's testing office. (See Campus Resources.)
