Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Exam

Students declaring a major in the School of Mass Communication and Journalism (excluding film majors) are required to pass the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Exam (GSP) before they can enroll in any MCJ writing-intensive course(s). 

The exam is given as part of the MCJ 103, Literacy Skills for the Mass Media class. The exam is given twice during the semester, and students who pass the first exam are no longer required to attend the class. Students who fail the first exam must continue attending the class and take the second exam. Once a student passes the exam, they receive a "P" in the course.
 
The exam consists of two sections with 50 questions each: (1) grammar and punctuation (2) spelling. Students must answer a minimum of 60 questions correctly in order to pass the exam. 
 
Spelling words are drawn from about 1,700 words. Click here to view spelling list (.docx)
 

Exam No. 1:
Friday, February 8, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wilber Stout Hall A

Exam No. 2:
Friday, April 19, 2013 at 2 p.m.
Wilber Stout Hall A

(Student must be attending MCJ 103 in order to take the exam. If you are finishing up and incomplete in MCJ 103, you should still be attending class so that the instructor will be aware of your need to retake the exam.)

 
If you have questions, contact MCJ 103 instructor, Maggie Williams at margaret.williams@usm.edu or the main office at 601.266.6746.