Evaluating Students' Ability to Write at the College Level
The Writing Placement Exam is required for all students on all campuses of WSU who want to enroll in English 100, 101, 104, or 105.
Students who have received scores of four or above on the AP test in English will receive credit for English 101 and do not have to take the Writing Placement Exam.
Please note: WSU does not accept outside scores for placement in writing courses. If you want to enroll in English 100, 101, 104, or 105 you must take WSU's Writing Placement Exam.
[Honors College students need to visit the Honors College Writing Diagnostic page for information on their placement exam.]
The Writing Placement Exam consists of two essays during a single, supervised session that address similar tasks that students will encounter initially in English courses.
The exam
- requires students to bring two pens and their photo ID
- allows two full hours to write the essays
- starts with 15 minutes for pre-writing
- provides a passage written at a level of sophistication common in college courses, and requires students to write about it with college-level intellectual strategies
- is evaluated on how well students comprehend the passage as well as how their writing shows the characteristics of college-level writing skills (e.g. focus, organization, support, and proofreading abilities)
- costs a minimum amount (currently $13.37), which is billed to the student account
Placement Categories
Depending on the results of the Writing Placement Exam, students will be placed into different levels of required English courses. The placements include ...
Exempt: Students who demonstrate a sophisticated knowledge of the characteristics of academic writing will receive three credits for taking English 101 and will satisfy one of the General Education Writing [W] requirements.
English 100: Placement into this course prepares students for the rigors of academic writing that will be found in English 101. Students must successfully complete both English 100 and English 101 to receive the [W] credit.
English 101: Placement into this course provides an introduction to academic writing.
English 101 + 102: Placement into these concurrent courses indicates a level of readiness for academic writing, but also a need for additional assistance with at least two of the characteristics of academic writing (e.g. focus, organization, support, proofreading). The Writing Center provides group tutorials for English 102.
English 104: Placement into this three-credit preparatory course for multi-lingual writers whose first language is not English. This course prepares students for English 105 with focused attention on grammar, syntax, and Western academic styles of writing. To receive [W] credit, students must successfully complete English 104 and 105.
English 105 + 102: Placement into these courses provides an introduction to academic writing for multi-lingual writers whose first language is not English. English 105 provides focus on grammar, syntax, and Western academic styles of writing. It is an equivalent course to English 101 and carries [W] credit.
English 102 is a one-credit writing tutorial provided through the Writing Center. It should extend and enhance the writing experiences in English 101 and 105, and assures interaction about writing with native speakers of English.
NOTE: Some WSU campuses currently offer only English 101 and English 101 + 102. Contact the appropriate campus Writing Assessment office with questions.
Upcoming Pullman Exam Dates
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 (8-10am -- Todd 116)
No registration necessary. Show up with a photo ID and two pens.
Exams are offered for all students attending summer Alive! orientations.
NOTE: Branch campus students should contact their campus Writing Assessment office for Placement Exam details.
Reasonable testing accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please contact the DRC.