COMS 130 Exemption Exam
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The communication exemption exam is given twice during the academic year—once in the beginning of the fall semester and once in the beginning of the spring semester. The exemption exam is not given during the summer session. The dates of the exemption exam are available in the Department of Communication Studies main office (102 Bailey Hall) by the first day of classes for each semester. Students wishing to take the communication exemption examination should register their name, Email address, address and telephone number in the Basic Course Office, Bailey 117. A $20.00 cash non-refundable fee is required to register. No student will be allowed to sign up for the exam without first paying the $20.00 fee.
The communication exemption exam has two parts: written and verbal. Students must first pass a written exam over basic communication theory and principles. Students who pass the written exam will then schedule a verbal exam that will take place the week following the written exam.
Examination periods for the verbal portion will be scheduled at 30-minute intervals on the assigned day. Students will sign up to take the exam at a specific time. Candidates for the verbal exam should report to the examination room approximately 10-15 minutes before their scheduled times.Examination Procedures:
- Written Exam
Students are encouraged to review the current textbook for COMS 130 prior to taking the written exam, as questions will be based on the material in that book. A limited number of texts are available for check out in Bailey 117. Be sure to register early if you wish to secure a copy of the texts. The written exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, each worth 2 points. The written exam is worth a total of 100 points. Candidates for exemption must pass the written exam with a score of at least 70 to be eligible to continue with the verbal part of the exam.
Notification of Written Exam Results:
Students will receive the results of the written examination immediately following the completion of all participants. If the student has successfully completed the written exam, he/she is eligible to participate in the verbal exam. Basic course administrators will provide scheduling details to those who pass following the written examination and the announcement of the results. - Oral Exam
Part I: Prepared Informative Speech
Candidates should report to the verbal exam thoroughly prepared to present an informative speech between 5-7 minutes in length using at least 4 sources cited orally in the speech and in the bibliography. The speech topic, which is chosen by the candidate, should be appropriate for a college-age audience. Both the type of the speech (informative) and the time limit (5-7 minutes) will be rigidly enforced. A speech that is entertaining or persuasive, rather than informative, will not pass. This speech will be graded according to the criteria on the attached evaluation form
NOTE: A demonstration/process speech will not be acceptable. Candidates may direct questions regarding the selection of a topic to the Basic Course Directors.
Each candidate will be required to prepare a full sentence outline of the speech, including bibliography and purpose statement. The outline should be typed and should follow an accepted outline format. The bibliography should conform to APA citation format. The candidate must bring two copies of the outline and bibliography to the verbal exam session and give them to the judges prior to presenting the speech. Sources must be current. All sources must be included in the bibliography.
Each candidate will present her/his speech to a panel of two judges who are faculty or instructors in the Communication Studies Department. The speech will be video taped. The candidate may use brief notes or index cards during the presentation. The speech may not be read or presented from a manuscript. The candidate may also use presentational aids such as charts, posters, slides or transparencies. However, the candidate is responsible for seeing that those aids are appropriate and professional. A candidate must make arrangements for presentational equipment with one of the Assistant Basic Course Directors. The following may NOT be used as presentational aids: live animals, foods, alcoholic beverages, drugs or drug paraphernalia, firearms or fire (matches, fireworks, etc.) The candidate must let the judges review the presentational aid prior to his/her speech. The judges will have the right to deny the candidate permission to use prohibited presentational aids. Questions regarding the use of presentational aids should be directed to the Basic Course Directors.
At the conclusion of the candidate’s presentation, she/he may be asked questions regarding the content of the speech, asked to clarify a particular point, or asked questions regarding the reasons he/she chose one particular rhetorical device over another. The speaker should also be prepared to give specific information regarding the sources used in researching the speech topic.Part II: Prepared Persuasive Speech
Candidates should report to the oral exam thoroughly prepared to present a persuasive speech between 5-8 minutes in length using at least 5 sources cited orally in the speech and in the bibliography. The speech topic, which is chosen by the candidate, should be appropriate for a college-age audience. Both the type of the speech (persuasive) and the time limit (5-8 minutes) will be rigidly enforced. A speech that is entertaining or informative, rather than persuasive, will not pass. This speech will be graded according to the criteria on the attached evaluation form.
NOTE: Candidates may direct questions regarding the selection of a topic to the Basic Course Directors.
Each candidate will be required to prepare a full sentence outline of the speech, including bibliography and purpose statement. The outline should be typed and should follow an accepted outline format. The bibliography should conform to APA citation format. The candidate must bring two copies of the outline and bibliography to the verbal exam session and give them to the judges prior to presenting the speech. Sources must be current. All sources must be included in the bibliography.
Each candidate will present her/his speech to a panel of two judges who are faculty or instructors in the Communication Studies Department. The speech will be video taped. The candidate may use brief notes or index cards during the presentation. The speech may not be read or presented from a manuscript. The candidate may also use presentational aids such as charts, posters, slides or transparencies. However, the candidate is responsible for seeing that those aids are appropriate and professional. A candidate must make arrangements for presentational equipment with one of the Assistant Basic Course Directors. The following may NOT be used as presentational aids: live animals, foods, alcoholic beverages, drugs or drug paraphernalia, firearms or fire (matches, fireworks, etc.) The candidate must let the judges review the presentational aid prior to his/her speech. The judges will have the right to deny the candidate permission to use prohibited presentational aids. Questions regarding the use of presentational aids should be directed to the Basic Course Directors.
At the conclusion of the candidate’s presentation, she/he may be asked questions regarding the content of the speech, asked to clarify a particular point, or asked questions regarding the reasons he/she chose one particular rhetorical device over another. The speaker should also be prepared to give specific information regarding the sources used in researching the speech topic.
Criteria for Passing Part I & II of the Oral Exam
Each judge will base her/his summary judgment of the candidate’s exemption status on the grades assigned to the two speeches. If a judge feels that the candidate has given a prepared informative speech deserving a grade of A or B AND a persuasive speech deserving a grade of A or B, he/she must give the candidate a PASS on the exam. However, if the judge feels that only one of the speeches was of A or B quality, whether it is the informative or persuasive speech, he/she must give the candidate a FAIL on the exam. In order for a candidate to pass the exemption exam, she/he must receive a PASS from two judges. If the two judges disagree (one pass and one fail) then a third judge will watch the video tape of the speech to break the tie).
Notification of Verbal Examination Results
On the day following the verbal exam, candidates may receive the results of the exemption examination from the communication studies office (102 Bailey). Results will not be given over the telephone. If a candidate wishes to see judges’ comments, he/she may make an appointment with the Basic Course Directors.
The communication studies office staff will inform the student records office of the names of those who have passed the exam. Candidates who fail the exam may register to take it one additional time (total of two times). They are also encouraged to enroll in COMS 130.Questions
Additional questions regarding exemption from the verbal communication requirement through examination should be addressed to the Director or Assistant Directors of the Basic Course. You may contact one of the Assistant Basic Course Directors, at coms130@ku.edu.
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