Exit Examination Of Writing Proficiency

All students must pass an Exit Writing Exam to be eligible for graduation.

WHAT:

You must register in advance to take this exam. At the registration meeting, you will select two possible essay topics; one related to a subject within their respective college, and the other from a general listing of topics.

On the day of the exam, you will be presented with a news article and a question related to each of the topics, and from those options, you will write an essay addressing the question of your choice. You have 3 hours in which to complete the essay.

WHEN:

Plan on taking the exam in your Junior year.  You must register for the exam approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the exam date. The exam is usually given the third Saturday of the month. Registration and exam dates are listed in the course schedule book and on-line.

Special Note:

Some students do not pass the exam. Do not approach this exam lightly. The assessment standards are very demanding.

The exams are assessed on the basis of structure, composition, spelling/grammar, and how thoroughly and logically you support your answer to the question posed.

You may take the exam as many times as you wish. However, you must wait two months before retesting. This waiting period allows you time to seek assistance from the Writing Center in sharpening your writing skills.

For specific information on registration & exam dates, assessment factors, essay examples, and tips on how to prepare for the exam, visit the University's Writing Center homepage.