All undergraduate students must either take the JLE or be exempt from it based on the following exemptions:

1. A passing score (220 or higher) on the writing section of the TASP
2. An ACT composite score of 23 or higher with English and Math scores of 19 or higher each
3. A SAT composite score of 1070 or higher with Verbal and Math scores of 500 or higher each
4. A TAAS score of 1770 or higher in Writing, 86 or higher in Math, and 89 or higher in Reading.

Students may also take English 333 or 341 to meet the JLE requirement. Students who are exempt from the JLE must sign off in the Office of Student Assessment indicting their exemption after they reach junior standing.

The test is two hours long and examinees are asked to write an essay on an assigned topic. It is administered on two days in the Fall (October), Spring (February), and First Summer (June) semesters. A student may take the exam as many times as necessary to pass. The Office of Student Assessment and Evaluation administers the JLE.

Each essay is graded by at least two faculty raters drawn from all departments. A third faculty member rates the paper if the first two raters disagree.