Study the Reading Selection

Along with the registration materials for the CPE, students will receive a reading selection to study. Most of these selections are taken from materials commonly assigned to students during the first half of their college experience or from books or articles intended for a general audience.

You should read the selection you are given several times, applying a critical reading approach: read with a questioning mind frame, keep a pencil in your hand, and use it to annotate the text as you read.

Helpful Handouts from the Writing Center Online Handout File:
      Critical Reading

Become familiar with the CPE format, directions, and scoring criteria

As with any test, it's important to know what to expect and to follow directions carefully. Five thousand CUNY students have already taken some form of this exam. To write a successful essay, you should do all of the following:

• take time to plan answers (do an outline, or brainstorm).
• answer all parts of the question (be sure to underline each step or each separate question).
• use summary appropriately (summarize only the parts of the readings that the question refers to)
• think about the reader (focus the ideas in your essay, show connections between the reading selections and between the readings and your own ideas, make logical connections between the ideas in your essay as well, i.e., use transitions).
• take time to edit and proofread your essay.

Helpful Handouts from the Writing Center Online Handout File:
     Invention Techniques
     Organizing an Essay
     Writing a Summary
     Argumentation
     Comparison and Contrast

Use Test-Taking Strategies

Before the Exam

• think about what points you could make about the reading selection you are given.
• do a practice essay.

At the Exam

• highlight key points in the assignment; be sure you understand what you're supposed to do.
• plan your time carefully, and stick to your plan
• write down your thesis, a sketch outline, and one or two proofreading reminders before you start writing and check your list periodically as you write.

When you finish writing

• reread the assignment, and then reread your essay to make sure you completed the assignment fully.
• read your essay again, slowly, looking closely at language, punctuation, grammar. Look for one thing at a time.

Helpful Handouts from the Writing Center Online Handout File:
     How to prepare for essay examinations
     Vocabulary used on essay examinations
     Informal Outlines
     Revision checklist