Each semester, about 30 to 60 students sign up to take the Speech Competency Test, an alternative to completing the SPE 101 General Studies course. Thirty to forty percent of students pass the exam, but students do not receive the three credit hours given for passing the SPE 101 class. Two test dates are given every fall and spring semester. Several Speech faculty members listen to the student's speech and evaluate how well the oral message is delivered and the speech's effectiveness.
Some students fail because they have little eye contact, mumble or have too many movements.
Others fail because their speeches are not well organized.