The Writing Proficiency Screening Test (WPST)
The WPST determines your readiness for Writing Proficiency (WP) courses that satisfy the University's Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. You must pass the WPST before you can enroll in any Writing Proficiency (WP) course, in or out of your major, and before you graduate from the University. What is the WPST?
The WPST is a test of your writing abilities. You will have an hour and a half to write one essay to demonstrate whether you can focus on and develop a topic in an organized essay. The writing prompt is always on a topic that requires no specialized information beyond common sense experience of life, but you must say something substantial about the subject. Merely generating correct sentences and restating the question is not enough, you must develop and sustain a main idea throughout the essay. However, a modest performance is sufficient because the WPST is a screening test rather than a final competence indicator.
The English department recommends that you take this test in the second semester of your sophomore year or as soon as you have completed First-Year Composition and Critical Inquiry. The WPST Office, MSR 180, is open Monday through Friday from 10 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The WPST office phone number is 667-3069. The WPST Coordinator holds office hours, for Fall Semester 2007 appointments, contact the coordinator at 667-3954.
For more information on the WPST, visit the WPST Program website.
Preparing for the WPST:
- Approximately two weeks before each test, there is a WPST Preparation Meeting where you can ask questions about the test, review sample essays, and discuss and practice general timed-test writing techniques.
The WPST for Fall Semester 2007 is November 17, 2007
- The WPST Preparation Meeting for Fall Semester 2007 has not yet been scheduled. Please check back.
- Once you receive your score, you can make an appointment to review your test with the WPST Coordinator if you wish. Test reviews are held during the first week of the following semester. Walk-in test reviews are available on days that school is in session during the coordinator’s office hours. Make an appointment by calling the WPST office.