Upper Division Writing Test


General WPE Information

The Trustees of the California State University have directed that "all students entering the CSU System... be required to demonstrate their proficiency with regard to writing skills as a requirement for graduation."

The Trustees further specified that writing proficiency must be demonstrated after a student earns 56 semester units and that a lower division course, such as freshman composition, may not be used to fulfill the requirement. Within these constraints, each CSU campus determined the means to meet the requirement.

After careful consideration, the CSUN faculty decided that on this campus students would meet the requirement by writing an acceptable test essay. The faculty rejected two other methods for meeting the requirement: passing a short-answer test of editing skills (rejected because taking such a test differs markedly from composing and writing acceptable prose) and passing a writing course (rejected because instructors inevitably reward other aspects of a student's knowledge and behavior besides writing ability). The faculty agreed that writing a test essay would be the most direct, impartial, and reliable demonstration of a student's writing skills.

Starting Fall 2006, the format of the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) was changed. While the exam process used at CSUN more than meets the recommendations of the CSU Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Review (GWAR), the committee recommends that "each campus should review GWAR writing prompts to ensure that they will elicit the skills expected of graduating students rather than the proficiencies of entering students." The task must enable students "to demonstrate the advanced writing skills of analysis, synthesis, and summarization." The GWAR committee believes the writing tasks in the GWAR assessment should address these competencies.

Students are expected to read a short text (up to one page) about a current topic of interest. They are asked to briefly identify the main points of the text, and then argue the extent to which they agree or disagree. They are asked to support their position with reasons and examples from their own reading, observations, and experience.

The University Catalog describes the CSUN Upper Division Writing Proficiency Requirement and the procedures by which it operates:

The University has implemented the Trustee Policy for a Writing Graduation Requirement for all upper division students who will graduate Spring 1982 or thereafter in the following manner:

  • Students who have completed the lower division writing requirement and 56 units shall be required to take an essay examination.
  • The examination shall consist of an essay on an assigned topic. A panel of faculty readers will evaluate the essay.
  • The criteria of evaluation shall include (1) a demonstration of analytic skills; (2) effective organization; (3) use of relevant concrete detail; and (4) proper use of English grammar, diction, and mechanics.
  • Administrations of the examination will be announced in the schedule of classes as well as in other official University publications, such as the University Information Bulletin and The Sundial.
  • The examination will be scheduled at least five times within an academic year.
  • Students who fail shall be permitted to repeat the examination. Subsequent attempts, however, shall be permitted only after the students have taken steps (for example, completing an appropriate writing course) to correct their writing deficiencies.
  • Registration information is available in several locations: Student Information Booth, University Cash Services window or the Testing Center. Students are assessed a fee to cover the expenses of administration of the exam. Payment should be made at the University Cash Services window or mailed prior to the deadline.

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WPE Test Dates

The WPE is offered twice in the fall semester and four times during the spring semester. The test consists of a 75-minute written essay response to an assigned topic. Including admission and instructions, expect to be in the testing room for up to 1 ½ hours. No one may leave early: Students will NOT be released if they finish early, as there are additional instructions at the end of the test. Saturday test takers can select from the 8:15 a.m., 10:00 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. sessions. Test dates and registration deadlines are

Test Dates Registration Deadline Pay by Mail Deadline
October 18, 2008 October 10, 2008 October 8
January 17, 2009** January 9, 2009 January 7
March 7, 2009 February 27, 2009 February 25
April 25, 2009 April 17, 2009 April 15
May 30, 2009*** May 22, 2009 May 20

+Last exam for Spring 2008 Undergraduate Graduation.
*Last exam for Summer 2008 Undergraduate Graduation.
**Last exam for Fall 2008 Undergraduate Graduation.
***Last exam for Spring 2009 Undergraduate Graduation.

There are no refunds and no transfers of test dates. This policy reflects the fact that test materials, processing, and staffing costs are incurred for each examinee registered, whether the examinee actually takes the test or not. If you do not attend the appointment time on your Admission Ticket, you must completely reregister for the next test and pay the full fee.

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WPE Registration

You must register using the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) online registration form. To do this, click on this link WPE Registration. Complete the online WPE Registration Form as directed. Print and mail the online form with a check or money order made payable to CSUN for $20 or deliver in person to University Cash Services, Bayramian Hall room 100. University Cash Services must receive your payment and online registration form by 4:00pm on the deadline date. You are not officially registered for the WPE until your payment has been received. Once we receive your payment, you will be sent a test admission ticket that you are fully registered for the WPE.

Test admission tickets are emailed prior to the test to your CSUN email address. The test admission ticket specifies your test date, time, and reporting location. If you do not receive your ticket by the Wednesday before the test date, be sure to call the Testing Center at (818) 677-2369. Test results will available on the web portal within 4-5 weeks after examination.

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Special Accommodations

If you require special accommodations such as extended time, or a writer or a computer due to a physical or learning disability, contact the Center on Disabilities in Bayramian Hall room 110 (phone 818-677-2684). A counselor will discuss your accommodation needs. DO NOT MAIL YOUR WPE REGISTRATION. Testing is generally done on the same weekend and/or on the Thursday/Friday preceding the published Saturday test date.

Non-Saturday testing is available for religious reasons. If your religious convictions prevent you from taking the test on the scheduled test date, you must request special arrangements by contacting the Upper Division Writing Office at (818) 677-3303. DO NOT MAIL YOUR WPE REGISTRATION. Be prepared to provide documentation.

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Test Day

  • Report to Sagebrush Hall (on Plummer Street) for room assignment.
  • Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your test time to allow for parking.
  • Bring your Admission Ticket, identification, pencils and a pen.
  • Personal ID - valid picture identification (Drivers License, CSUN ID, Passport, etc). You must test using the name for which you have a government-issued I.D. with a current, valid photo and signature.
    NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE WPE WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION, REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Please Note: A CSUN student identification card is not acceptable as the primary form of identification. It must be presented with at least one other form of positive photo-signature I.D.; in some cases it may be acceptable with a temporary driver's license, if that license has both a physical description and a signature.

  • You may not use any aids when taking the test, such as a dictionary, scratch paper, white-out, paperback, or any other reading material.
  • You will be expected to comply with all written and oral testing regulations.
  • YOU WILL NOT BE ADMITTED IF YOU ARE LATE.

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WPE Test Scores

Each essay is read and evaluated by at least two faculty members in a carefully planned and supervised reading. Each reader scores an essay on a scale of 1 to 6, and the two scores are combined. 12 is the highest possible total score. A score of 8 or above is passing. (See sample scoring guide and sample essays below.)

"6" — A superior paper addresses the topic in a complex way and executes its plan convincingly and skillfully.
Purpose: Shows a sophisticated sense of its own purpose throughout, along with sophisticated organization.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Supports its own ideas and addresses opposing ideas, revealing occasional inadequacies in arguments or details of opposing viewpoints.
Development: Shows extensive development both in terms of abstractions and details; often offers cogent or imaginative sources of information that go beyond those presented in text.
Style: Has variety and sophistication in both sentence structure and diction.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits superiority in written English, though it need not be flawless.

"5" — A strong paper addresses the topic in a meaningful way and executes a solid plan.
Purpose: Shows a clearly identifiable purpose with good organization.
Topic: Addresses the topic by competent employment of many issues raised in the reading passage.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Supports its own ideas and reveals awareness of opposing ideas.
Development: Shows full development
Style: Has effective use of sentence structures and vocabulary.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits a command of written English, though there may be flaws.

"4" — An adequate paper takes a satisfactory approach.
Purpose: Shows a clearly identifiable purpose and adequate organization.
Topic: Has engaged the primary issues raised by the reading passage.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Supports its own ideas, but may not present awareness of opposing ideas.
Development: Offers appropriate and reasonable support, though less specifically.
Style: Has adequate use of sentence structures and vocabulary.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits control of written English. Flaws do not detract from essay content.

"3" — An inadequate paper fails to develop or address the issue in a satisfactory way, but demonstrates developing skills. It will have one or more of the following attributes:
Purpose: Shows some focus but occasionally wavers in its sense of purpose; often shows problems in organization.
Topic: Addresses some issues of the reading passage, but some significant aspects may be slighted or ignored.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Reveals contradictions or flaws in logic.
Development: Has underdeveloped portions or merely echoes and uncritically paraphrases elements of the reading.
Style: Has sentences that are difficult to read or seem confused.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits wavering control of written English. Flaws detract from the essay content.

"2" — A seriously inadequate paper will reveal serious and repeated problems, including confusion as to the task or uncertainty as to the plan. It will have one or more of the following attributes:
Purpose: Shows very little sense of focus.
Topic: Addresses the reading only marginally or randomly.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Shows very little analysis of materials or is often illogical.
Development: Is significantly underdeveloped; often avoids expansion or explanation of ideas throughout the essay.
Style: Has sentences that pose significant difficulties for readers; frequently misuses vocabulary.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits persistent problems in grammar and mechanics.

"1" — An incompetent paper will fail to communicate. It will have one or more of the following attributes:
Purpose: Shows no sense of purpose or direction; often incoherent.
Topic: Does not address the reading or exhibits little understanding of the writing task.
Critical Thinking and Logic: Reveals chaotic or nonexistent analysis of materials and serious problems in logic.
Development: Is radically underdeveloped. Essays in this category make little attempt at offering evidence or argument.
Style: Has very few sentences that are coherent or clear.
Usage and Grammar: Exhibits pervasive errors that regularly prevent understanding.

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Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
8am - 5pm
(except State and CSU holidays)

Locations

Bayramian Hall, Rm 225
View Campus Map

Contact Information

(818) 677-2369
Testing.center@csun.edu

Questions/Comments

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