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Writing Proficiency Exam

 

What's the WPE?

The Writing Proficiency Exam is a junior-level essay exam required for graduation. If you are not able to pass it in two tries then you must take and pass English 109. You can read all about this in the Graduation Requirements in Writing section

When should I take the WPE?

There are recommendations and requirements related to this question.

Required (in the order you have to do them):

  • You must take English 1A before you take English 20.
  • You must take the WPE before you complete 74 units.
  • You must pass the WPE before enrolling in a Writing Intensive course.

Recommended:

  • You should take English 20 before taking the WPE and your Writing Intensive course – but this is not always possible.

How many times can I take the WPE?

You are allowed 2 tries on the WPE.  If you don't pass the second time you must take English 109, Writing for Proficiency. You are allowed 2 tries in English 109. If you have difficulty meeting this requirement you should talk with the WPE Coordinator in Calaveras 111 about what to do to improve your writing.

What's the difference between English 109W and 109M?

English 109W is for native speakers of English; English 109M is for those who learned English as a second language and who have scored 4 or higher on the English Diagnostic Test.