1. What is the difference between the EPT and the GWPE?

The English Placement Test (EPT) is a four-part objective test and essay administered and scored on a statewide basis, with results used at the discretion of the individual CSU campuses solely as a means of placing entering students in the proper writing courses. The EPT is thus a lower-division placement test while the Graduation Writing Proficiency Examination (GWPE) is an upper- division proficiency test devised, administered, and scored independently on each CSU campus. The examination differs in both content and name from campus to campus.

2. Do graduate students have to satisfy this requirement?

No. This requirement does not apply to graduate students at HSU.

3. I already have a baccalaureate degree and am working on a second one. Do I still have to take the GWPE?

Yes, you do, unless your first baccalaureate degree is from a CSU institution and you have already fulfilled the writing requirement once.

4. Can I be exempted from the exam if I bring in samples of my writing to prove that I already know how to write?

No, for two main reasons. First, it would be difficult to insure that such writing was completely the student's own work. Second, and most important, considering the number of students who must be certified (well over a thousand each year), this method of evaluation is simply too inefficient and, because the CSU Board of Trustees has mandated that graduation writing certification must be self-supporting, too expensive since accurate assessment of the quality of such varied samples would require considerably more time than the uniform examination does.

5. Is it possible to have the Graduation Writing Requirement waived?

Waivers of the GWR are granted only in exceptional cases and for compelling reasons such as severe learning disabilities. For information on waivers consult the Chair of the GWPE Committee.

6. Is there an option to the exam -- a course or something?

The option of fulfilling the GWR via a course which automatically replaced the GWPE was eliminated at the end of Spring Quarter, 1985. Students with special problems - rather than lack of writing ability - who are unable to pass the GWPE may follow an appeal procedure to gain writing certification.

7. When should I take the GWPE?

It is best to take the examination as soon as you qualify by having completed sixty semester units and English 100 or an equivalent course. In other words, you should take the examination during your junior year if possible and certainly no later than two semesters before your expected date of graduation--that is, Fall Semester of your senior year if you plan to graduate in May.

8. Why take the GWPE so early?

Mainly, so that in case you fail you will have time either to repeat the examination or to enroll in a writing course to help you improve your writing. Keep in mind that unexpected conditions might arise that could prevent your repeating the examination or enrolling in a course. For example, conflicts with other requirements, such as field trips or special examinations for your major field, or personal illness or family emergency might make it difficult for you to take the examination when it is offered. Enrollment in a course could also present unexpected problems. Budgetary and enrollment considerations might not allow the course you need to be offered every semester, and even if it is offered its scheduled time could conflict with another course you are required to take or want to take. In other words, allow yourself some time to maneuver if you fail the examination.

9. I always get good grades on my term papers, so doesn't that indicate that I'm a good writer and don't need to take the GWPE early?

Generally speaking, you may be right. But term papers are often graded more on content than on the quality of the writing, so a high grade on a term paper may not be indicative of your writing ability. Unfortunately, some students have been lulled into a false sense of security concerning their writing ability by their term paper grades, have delayed taking the GWPE until their last semester, failed it, and have had to suffer the unpleasant consequences.

10. How can I prepare for the GWPE?

Generally, by practicing writing throughout your student career. More specifically, first of all by reading this GWPE information carefully so that you understand the nature of the examination, how it is scored, and what is expected of you. Study the provided sample questions and essays. The Learning Skills Lab on campus also offers workshops and other aids to preparing for the GWPE. The English Department offers a variety of writing courses.

11. When and where are the results of the examination available?

The results of the GWPE are posted outside the English department office, at the Testing Center, and on the kiosk in front of the HSU Library on the Monday afternoon following the examination. Student identification is by the first two letters of the last name plus the last four digits of the Social Security number.

12. May I see my examination?

Yes, you may see your examination by making an appointment with the person indicated on the kiosk list (usually the Chair of the GWPE Committee).

13. May I keep my examination or make a photocopy of it?

No. GWPE Committee policy does not allow release of the original or of photocopying.

14. How is the GWPE recorded on transcripts?

When the GWPE has been successfully completed, the notation "Graduation Writing Proficiency Requirement Met by Exam" is stamped at the bottom of the most recent page of the transcript. Failures are not noted, and numerical score is not indicated.

15. If I do not pass the examination can I take it again?

Yes, you may repeat the examination as often as you like. Although HSU does not have a limit on the number of repeats allowed, students who fail the examination a second time, or especially a third time, should certainly enroll in a writing course or find other help before attempting the examination again. Statistics indicate that students who do not pass the examination on the second attempt rarely succeed on subsequent attempts unless they have actively worked to improve their writing skills.

16. If I register for the examination and find I cannot attend the scheduled day and time, will I have to pay the fee again to take the examination another time?

No, you will not have to pay for a missed examination provided a) you notify the Testing Center by noon on the Tuesday before the exam AND b) you take a subsequent examination within the same academic year. The Testing Center will register you for the next examination without additional charge. Re-registration is not automatic, however. You must contact the Testing Center to make arrangements for a new test date. Note: if you find you are unable to take the examination within the same academic year, you may apply for a fee refund at the Testing Center, but only in the academic year you paid your fee (no later than the last instructional day of the Spring Semester.)

If you fail to notify the Testing Center ((707)826-3611) by noon on the Tuesday prior to the exam, you will be considered a "no-show" and will forfeit your registration fee. You must re-register for the exam and you will be assessed a new fee. Note: the Testing Center will authorize a refund or a roll-over of your fee if you are unable to notify them because of medical reasons, provided you submit a written statement from a medical practitioner.

17. I know how to write, but I just can't do a good job in only forty-five minutes. So isn't it wrong to make me take this exam?

Generally speaking, if you cannot write a competent essay in forty-five minutes it is an indication that your writing skills have not been developed to a sufficiently high level. Like a runner who knows how to run but needs to train to be able to run faster, a writer who cannot write an essay in forty-five minutes will usually simply need to practice writing more in order to sharpen his or her writing skills to be able to write more quickly.

18. Why do students with majors which require a lot of writing, such as English and journalism, still have to take the examination?

It was considered only fair that all majors without exception be required to take the GWPE. The correctness of this policy seems to be borne out by the fact that some English and journalism majors have failed the examination.

19. Why do students have to take the examination after completing English 100?

English 100 is a lower-division course, while the GWPE is an upper-division test intended to insure that writing skills have been maintained at a competent level throughout the student's university career.

20. I completed my General Education basic subjects without taking English 100 or an equivalent course. Do I still have to take English 100?

Yes, you do. English 100 is considered to be the essential minimum training for university-level writing. It is for this reason that English 100 is a prerequisite for the GWPE. Note that equivalent courses must have at least three semester units of credit.

21. What happens if I sign up for the GWPE without having completed at least sixty semester units or without having taken English 100 or an equivalent course?

When you register for the GWPE you are required to certify on the registration form that you have fulfilled these prerequisites. Before the examination reading, the eligibility of all students who wrote the examination is checked. If any students are found to be ineligible because they have too few units or because they have not taken English 100 or an equivalent course, their examinations are rendered void.

22. Are any provisions made for disabled students?

Students certified by the Student Disability Resource Center as having a physical disability or a learning disability such as dyslexia which would affect their performance on the GWPE will be given special consideration as determined by their individual needs. For example, students with a learning disability are allowed to take the examination in two separate sessions with the time limit for each question extended. Students have also been allowed to dictate their essays. Please note that certification of disability may require verification of the disability through past educational and/or medical records or testing. Please contact the Chair of the GWPE Committee for additional information.

23. Are any special considerations made for foreign students?

Foreign students are identified at each GWPE reading from the list of foreign students supplied by the Office of Admissions and Records. Foreign students whose native language is not English are allowed to pass the GWPE with a minimum score of ten if they are attending HSU on a foreign student visa and will not, therefore, continue to reside in the United States after graduation.

24. Is any provision made for students who can't take the examination on Saturday because of religious or other reasons?

A Friday examination is also scheduled each semester in conjunction with the Saturday examination for those students whose religion does not allow them to take the examination on Saturday. Other students who have demonstrably valid reasons--such as a class field trip--for not being able to take the examination on Saturday are also allowed to take the examination on Friday. Requests for a Friday examination will be considered at the time of registration at the Testing Center.

25. Isn't the scoring of the GWPE essays pretty inconsistent?

The holistic method of scoring by trained readers has proven to be both highly accurate and extremely consistent. In the largest administration of HSU's GWPE to date (Winter Semester, 1993), for instance, out of 541 examinations, or 2164 total readings, there were only 38 discrepancies (i.e., essays requiring a third reader for resolution of the discrepancy), a rate of only 3.51 percent.

26. If I fulfill the writing skills requirement at one of the other campuses in the CSU system can the certification be transferred to HSU?

Yes, with a qualification. In the absence of a system-wide policy on reciprocity, HSU accepts fulfillment of the GWR at another CSU campus as satisfying HSU's requirement so long as the student attained this certification of writing skills while officially enrolled at that institution. That is, students enrolled at HSU must complete HSU's GWR; they cannot complete only the requirement elsewhere.

27. Will failing to fulfill the writing skills requirement keep me from receiving my degree even if I've completed all my other course work?

Yes, it will. Unfortunately, this has already happened to some HSU students.

28. If I don't complete the writing skills requirement by the time I finish all my other degree requirements does that mean that I'll never receive my degree?

No. You can complete the Graduation Writing Requirement later. There is no time limit.

29. Do I have to be currently enrolled at HSU in order to take the GWPE?

No, not if you have previously been an HSU student, meet the eligibility requirements, and are making up the GWPE.

30. If I don't complete the writing skills requirement by the time I finish all my other degree requirements does that mean that I'll have to come all the way back to Humboldt to take the examination?

No. If it is inconvenient to return to HSU to take the examination, a special examination will be arranged upon request. Usually, the examination is sent to an official who has agreed to administer and proctor the examination. Whenever possible, a university testing center is used for this purpose. The completed examination is then returned to HSU for scoring. Please note that special examinations carry a higher fee, and there may also be an additional fee charged by the off-campus person or office administering the examination. For additional information on special examinations, contact the HSU Testing Center.