UA Journalism GSP Exam

GSP exam

Undergraduate Programs

Master's Program

Class Descriptions

Student Media & Activities

Walter J. Lemke Department of Journalism
Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test (GSP)

GSP Testing Schedule

Note: The following reflects changes in policy that go into effect after Aug. 20, 2007

    Command of the language is essential for journalism majors, whether they plan to work in print, broadcast or advertising/public relations. The Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation assessment (GSP) helps to determine whether students have sufficient command of English basics to succeed in the curriculum and in professional writing careers.

What is a GSP Assessment?
   The GSP consists of 60 multiple-choice questions in the three areas: 20 in grammar, 20 in spelling and 20 in punctuation. To pass the GSP, you must score 70 percent or higher on all three sections of the assessment. If you do not pass all three sections, you must retake the individual sections. You will have 90 minutes to complete the entire GSP. When retaking a section, you have 30 minutes per section to finish. Each correct answer scores 5 points; each wrong answer scores minus 1 point; and each skipped answer does not affect the score.

Who must take the GSP Assessment?
    All students must pass the GSP before they are allowed to enroll in Fundamentals of Journalism (JOUR 1033), a course that is pre-requisite to all writing courses in the Lemke Journalism Department.
   Transfer students who receive credit for journalism writing courses will be required to pass the GSP before enrolling in other journalism coursework. Anyone who takes JOUR 1033 by correspondence must pass the GSP before enrolling in course for which 1033 is prerequisite.
   Passing the GSP does not excuse you from any requirements in the department; it merely allows you to take JOUR 1033. There is no credit for passing the GSP or for attending any tutoring sessions.

We strongly encourage you not to sign up for the GSP unless you have been able to take the tutoring provided by the department. Students who have an excellent background in grammar may do well without the tutoring, but some of the topics covered may not have been taught to most students since high school, or perhaps even junior high school.

        If you wish to try without the tutoring, be sure to use the resources provided on our Web page for preparing for the GSP.    Preparing for the GSP

When will it be given?

   Information on dates and times for the GSP will be available here GSP Testing Schedule, and at the Testing Services Web site, http://www.uark.edu/ua/testing. Fliers will be posted in the journalism department in Kimpel Hall; and you may also contact the journalism office for information. You may also sign up for the journalism department’s listserv and receive messages about activities in the department, including the times for the GSP. To sign up for the listserv, e-mail kshurlds@uark.edu.
    The GSP will be given several times a semester. For fall and spring semesters, the exam will be scheduled in time for pre-registration for the following regular semester.
   Registration for the exam will be limited to the number of seats available, so students are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

How do I register to take the GSP?

   Registration is made through Testing Services. Deadlines for registration will be about one month before the exam is given. You must go to Hotz Hall 714 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., M-F, to fill out a form and pay your fee. You will then be given a registration admission ticket, which must be presented along with your I.D. at the time of testing. Testing Services charges a $15 late fee if you register late.

How much does the GSP cost?

   The GSP test costs $30, the fee that Testing Services charges to administer it. You will be required to pay the $30 fee each time you take the entire test should you not pass the first time. For each section (grammar, spelling, punctuation) you must repeat, you must pay $5. You must attempt the entire exam before repeating any section.

Where will the GSP be given?

   The GSP is given at Testing Services, located in Room 115 of Hotz Hall, near the corner of Garland Ave. and Cleveland St. You can locate the building on the University Campus Map (located in Section D-1).

What must I bring?

   You must present at least one form of identification such as a driver’s license, passport, military I.D., state I.D. or student I.D. to be admitted to the testing room. Also, you must bring a No. 2 pencil and your registration admission ticket.

What is the GSP format?

   The GSP consists of 60 multiple-choice questions in the three areas: 20 in grammar, 20 in spelling and 20 in punctuation The time limit is 90 minutes. The questions may contain an error or may be correct as written.   For complete instructions for the GSP, click here: GSP Instructions

Here is an example of a grammar question:

Neither of the coaches were willing to shake hands after the homecoming game this year.

   A. were should be replaced with was.
   B. willing should be replaced with willingly
   C. To should be replaced with too
   D. The sentence is correct as written.

Here is an example of a spelling question:

“I’ll bet a lot of students think if the Razorbacks loose the next game,” she said, “it won’t matter whether they go to the bowl game or not.”

   A.   a lot should be alot
   B.     loose should be lose
   C.   whether should be weather
   D.   All the words are spelled correctly.

     Here is an example of a punctuation question:

“The party has started,” Jones said. “I see the Marshall’s in the Elliots’ backyard.”

    A. Marshall’s should be replaced with Marshalls
   B. Elliots’ should be replaced with Elliot’s
   C.   The period after said should be replaced with a comma
   D.   The sentence is correct as written.

How is the GSP scored?

   The Scantron will measure your score in each of the three sections. You must score at least 70 percent in each section. If you do not, you will have to take individual sections again until your score is satisfactory. Each correct answer scores 5 points; each wrong answer scores minus 1 point; and each skipped answer does not affect the score.
     We advise you not to guess at answers if you do not have any idea what the answer is, because you can lose points if you guess incorrectly. If you are able to reduce the number of possible right answers to two, you have a 50-50 chance of getting the answer right and in that case, a guess might be warranted.

When do I get my results?

   After you take the GSP Exam, your results will be sent to the journalism office. The student records manager will place a form in your student file with your score on the three sections. You may contact her at crachal@uark.edu or call 575-3113. Once you have passed all three sections, the student records manager can sign you up for JOUR 1033 when there are seats open.

What if I don’t pass the GSP?

       Before attempting the GSP a second time, anyone who does not pass the first time must make an appointment with Carol Rachal for a brief interview. You may contact her at crachal@uark.edu or call 575-3113. She will be able to tell you the areas you need to concentrate on before the next attempt (for instance, subject-verb agreement or irregular verbs or punctuation, etc.). She will also advise you about tutoring opportunities.
      Students who score below 55 on the first attempt are required to attend the three-week tutorial before taking the GSP for a second time.
     After the second attempt: Students who take the GSP the second time and do not pass are required to attend the three-week tutorial.
     You may take any section of the GSP three times. Failure to pass all sections after three attempts will result in your being denied enrollment in Fundamentals of Journalism (JOUR 1033), a required course for all journalism majors. However, after one year, you may attempt the GSP one more time; or you may attempt it again after taking the three-week tutorial and passing a practice GSP. All these requirements are intended to help you improve your skills so that you can enter the journalism program.

Can I get some help to pass the GSP Exam?

   During the spring and fall semesters, the journalism department will schedule tutoring sessions to help students prepare for the GSP exam. You are strongly encouraged to attend the sessions and to use other resources to prepare for the exam so that you won’t have to retake any sections. The tutoring sessions are divided into specific areas of grammar, as well as spelling and punctuation, so you may attend just the tutoring sessions given for the area you feel you need help.
   The GSP tutoring sessions are conducted by journalism graduate assistants under the supervision of a faculty member. There is no semester credit given for attending the sessions. The sessions are completely voluntary unless you are using the tutorials to qualify to retake the GSP (see last heading).
   You are also encouraged to use online self-help resources, to be found at Preparing for the GSP.
   It is your responsibility to prepare for the GSP and to take the measures necessary to improve your scores should you not pass the first time. The department of journalism makes no promises that attendance at the tutoring session or use of online resources will guarantee a passing grade.

ESL students:

If your native language is not English, you may appeal to the journalism department to waive the three-attempt limitation. Contact Katherine Shurlds at kshurlds@uark.edu to find out about making an appeal.

Web sites for GSP information:

GSP Testing Schedule
Preparing for the GSP
GSP Instructions

UA Testing Services: http://www.uark.edu/ua/testing