Junior Comp - Questions and Answers
Why does MNU require a Junior Comprehensive Exam?
The exam helps to ensure that graduates have basic competencies in English, mathematics, natural sciences, and social studies. It also helps to determine whether MNU is meeting its general education outcomes, as required by our accrediting association.
Do I have to take the exam?
The faculty has voted to require that all students pass the Junior Comprehensive Exam as a requirement for graduation. Since this requirement first appeared in the 2006-07 Catalog, any student who became a junior at the end of the 2006 spring term or after that is required to pass the Junior Comprehensive Exam to graduate.
What if I don't pass the exam?
Students who do not pass the Junior Comprehensive Exam may need to complete remedial work in areas where improvement is needed.
What does the exam cost?
There is no charge for taking the exam.
How long does the exam take?
The exam takes approximately 2 hours.
When and where do I take the exam?
The Spring 2008 exam will be given on Thursday April 10, 2008 which is Institutional Testing Day. The first letter of your last name determines when and where you will take the exam.
Last Name Time Room Topics Tested A - F 8:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Smith 200 Science and Social Studies G - L 8:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Smith 123 Science and Social Studies M - R 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Smith 200 English and Math S - Z 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Smith 123 English and Math
I think I was scheduled for the wrong tests. I'm an English major, but I'm scheduled to take the Science and Social Studies tests instead of the English and Math tests.
The exam that you take is determined by the first letter of your last name, not your major. The exam assesses competencies that you should get from your general education courses, regardless of your major.
I'm a junior but I'm not graduating this year. Do I still have to take the exam?
The exam is intended to be taken in your junior year. If you do not take it now you will have to pass the exam before you graduate.
I'm a sophomore, but I have 77 semester hours of credit. Do I have to take the exam?
At MNU students who have 56 to 87 semester hours are classified as a junior. Once you are classified as a junior you are eligible to take the exam. Assuming that the exam is a graduation requirement for you (see "Do I have to take the exam?" above), you need to pass the exam before you graduate.
I transferred to MNU as a senior. So I was never a junior at MNU and all of my general education coursework was at another college. Do I still need to take the exam to graduate?
Yes, if you transferred to MNU after the spring 2006 term. The exam is intended to help ensure that all graduates of MNU have basic competencies in English, mathematics, natural sciences, and social studies.
What does the exam cover?
Students will take two of the four Junior Comp tests - either the English and Math tests or the Science and Social Studies tests. For a summary and sample questions for all four tests click here. (To view this document you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
What is the difference between the Junior Comprehensive Exam and the Senior Comprehensive Exam?
There is one Junior Comprehensive Exam consisting of four tests - English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Regardless of their major, all graduates must take at least two of these tests, usually in their junior year. There are many Senior Comprehensive Exams, one for each major that requires one (for example, Accounting). Students majoring in one of these subject areas must take the exam designed for their major, usually in their senior year.
