Freshmen’s English ability test to be held on May 31 will be cancelled after SARS severely hit Taiwan.

Prof. Lin Chun-chung, Chair of Department of English, announced on May 20 that the freshmen’s English ability test to be held on May 31 was cancelled because SARS was spreading in Taiwan. The decision was made after consulting with Dean of Academic Affairs Fu Hsi-jen, Lin said.

The test result, which will account for 10 percent of the semester’s academic result, will be replaced by the student’s class performance. Two tests will be held—one is held in the beginning of the first semester and the second is to be held at the end of the second semester. The first test was held on Nov. 2, 2002 and the second will be held on May 31, 2003. The test is aimed at testing whether freshmen’s English ability has improved. The test will be held as scheduled next academic year, Lin said.