College of Arts & Sciences
where excellence meets opportunity
where excellence meets opportunity
The CMS writing assessment measures students' critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. In format, it is similar to the Georgia University System's Regents' Test, although it requires a more lengthy, detailed, and coherent essay. The CMS writing assessment is one part of the admissions process for the major. (See the Admissions page for an overview of all requirements and procedures.)
Students have two hours to complete the writing assessment, and they must use the computer provided by the Test Center to compose their essays. Students may bring and use a dictionary during the assessment.
Assessment essays are evaluated for content and style by the CMS faculty. The evaluations are "blind": students names are not linked to the essays until after the evaluations are complete.
The assessment is administered several times a year by Clayton State University's Testing Center. The next opportunities to take the assessment are as follows:
To schedule an appointment for one of these dates and times, please visit the Testing Center (on the bottom floor of the Library) or call 678-466-4495.
The writing assessment asks you to write on general topics related to media and/or communication. You do not need to know specific content, and you can pass it without any academic background in CMS. The focus is on the quality of the writing, rather than the depth of knowledge demonstrated about the topic.
To give you a better idea of what we are looking for, we have posted two sample essays completed by students in past years. Please note that the files are very large and should be downloaded on a fast connection (e.g. the campus network). You will need the free Adobe Reader software to open these files.
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College of Arts & Sciences
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Phone: (678) 466-4700