Register for a CSUN Test

Hours of Operation

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

Locations

Bayramian Hall, Rm 190
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Contact Information

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

Questions/Comments

Have any questions or comments? Please Contact Us.

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 CSU Trustee Policy for the Writing Skills Graduation Requirement for all Upper-Division students. All students must pass the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination (UDWPE) as a requirement for graduation.

  1. Undergraduate students are encouraged to attempt the UDWPE as early as possible after completing 56 units and meeting the Lower Division writing requirement. Students must take the UDWPE no later than the semester in which 75 units are completed. Students who have not taken the UDWPE by the completion of 75 units will have a registration hold placed on their subsequent registration.
  2. The UDWPE shall consist of an essay on an assigned topic evaluated by the faculty.
  3. The evaluation criteria shall include: 1) a demonstration of analytic skills, (2) use of relevant evidence to support an argument, (3) effective organization, (4) use of standard English grammar, diction and mechanics.
  4. Transfer students are encouraged to take the UDWPE as early as possible after being admitted for transfer. Transfer students must attempt the examination no later than the semester in which 75 units are completed. Transfer students coming into the university with 75 units already completed must attempt the examination during their first semester at CSUN.
  5. Students who fail the exam shall be permitted to repeat the examination. However, before repeating the exam, it is recommended that students take further steps to improve their writing skills by contacting the Learning Resource Center or completing an appropriate writing course.
  6. Administrations of the examination will be announced on CSUN's UDWPE and Testing Center websites.
  7. The examination will be scheduled at least five times within an academic year.
  8. Students may register for the exam at University Cash Services. According to CSU policy, certification of graduation writing competence shall be transferable from one CSU campus to another, but students must pass the WPE at the campus at which they are enrolled.

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WPE Test Dates

The UDWPE will be offered eight times throughout the academic year. 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 2 hours. Space is limited! Registration closes when capacity is full. Test dates and registration deadlines are:

Test Dates Registration Begins In-Person Registration Deadline
03/03/2012 01/18/2012 *CLOSED*
04/28/2012 03/05/2012 04/20/2012
05/26/2012 ++ 04/30/2012 05/18/2012
06/23/2012 05/29/2012 06/15/2012
07/28/2012 06/25/2012 07/20/2012

++Last exam for Spring 2012 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. Undergraduate appeals for the UDWPE will be available through the Undergraduate Studies Office. Students who had 75 units at the end of the Spring 2011 semester should submit a WPE Registration Hold Appeal Form as soon as possible to avoid a hold on their Spring 2012 registration. Please remember, the January 14th exam will still satisfy undergraduate graduation requirements for Fall 2011.

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WPE Registration

Beginning in Fall 2011, a new university policy will require students to take the UDWPE no later than the semester in which they complete 75 units. Students who do not take the exam by the completion of 75 units will have a hold placed on future registration for classes. You must register using the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) registration form. To do this, click on this link - WPE Registration. Complete the WPE Registration Form as directed. Registration MUST be completed in person at University Cash Services, Bayramian Hall room 100. You are not officially registered for the WPE until your payment has been received and processed. There is NO online or mail-in option registration available for this test. Space is limited! Registration closes when capacity is full. Admission tickets will be sent via email to your CSUN email address within 1-2 weeks after your payment has been

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Testing Accommodations


Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Alternative testing accommodations such as extended time, electronic text, readers or scribes are available through the Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) department to students that have a documented disability and require accommodations to take the exam. If you are not a registered student with DRES and have a disability, please visit the DRES website at http://www.csun.edu/dres/studentservices/registering.php for registration procedures.

Registered DRES students must sign up for the UDWPE directly with the DRES department in BH 110 to receive accommodations. The University UDWPE registration deadlines apply for all students and accommodation requests must be submitted by the registration deadline.

Accommodations for Religious Convictions

Non-Saturday testing is available for religious reasons. If your religious convictions prevent you from taking the test on the scheduled test date, students must sign up for the UDWPE directly with the Upper Division Writing Office in BH 408 to receive alternate testing arrangements. Contact the Upper Division Writing Office at udwpe@csun.edu for more information. Be prepared to provide documentation. The University UDWPE registration deadlines apply for all students and accommodation requests must be submitted by the registration deadline.

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Test Day

  • Students should report to the location listed on their admission ticket. Rooms are assigned on site.
  • 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 - provide two types of acceptable ID. First, all test takers must have one current, valid (not expired) government-issued ID containing a recent and recognizable photo and signature. The first and last name on the ID must match exactly the name on Admission Ticket. NO EXCEPTIONS! Second type can be a CSUN school ID.
    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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Viewing UDWPE Scores on SOLAR

Go to CSUN at www.csun.edu.

  • Login to the Portal
  • Select the "Academics" tab
  • Locate the "Tools for Academic Success" section (has black background)
  • Click on "Check Test Scores"

Scores are available through SOLAR approximately four weeks after the test administration. Scores are not provided over the phone or via email.

Each essay is read and evaluated by at least two faculty members in a carefully planned and supervised reading. Each reader scores the 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.

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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 (See sample score guide listed below). The two faculty reader scores are then combined to give the student an overall score. 12 is the highest possible total score. A score of 8 or above is passing.

Passing Reader Scores

Non-Passing Reader Scores


"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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