Students enrolled in composition courses English 099, English 101, and English 102 are required to take and pass the English Exit Examination, a writing competency test. Passing the English Exit Examination is not a guarantee that students will pass the course; it is only one of the course requirements. Students must earn a passing grade on coursework and pass the English Exit Examination in order to pass English 099, English 101, and English 102.

The exit examination is administered a few weeks before the end of the semester, and all composition students take it at the same time. During the examination, students write a five-paragraph essay that is rated anonymously by two composition instructors with neither knowing what grade the other gave the essay. All EEE essays are graded using the Composition Rubric adopted by the Paine College Department of English. An essay passes when both graders assign a grade of C- or higher. If both readers do not agree in their assessment of an essay, the essay is evaluated by a third reader. Instructors will advise students of their EEE result during the last week of the semester. All examination essays become the property of the College.

An appeal process can be invoked if a student fails the examination but does well in the class. An instructor or a student can ask that a failing grade on the exit examination be overturned. Student-initiated appeals must be forwarded through the instructor, upon the instructor’s review and approval of the student’s portfolio, to the appeals panel. A portfolio of the student’s work must be presented to and evaluated by the appeals panel for the grade to be overturned.

Click here to see this semester’s English Exit Exam schedule and the list of supplies students must bring with them to the exam.


EEE Components

Composition Rubric with Error Rating Table  

Appeal Process

Student Composition Portfolios

Exam Schedule & List of Supplies Needed




If you have questions about the EEE. please contact the EEE coordinator, Ms. Ashley Strong-Green, in the Department of English at (706) 821-8205 or stronggreena@mail.paine.edu.