Writing Proficiency Examination

Because the University of New Haven believes that good writing skills are essential for success, it requires undergraduate students to demonstrate such skills before it will confer a bachelor's degree.  Thus, during the first semester after achieving 57 credits, all students must take an examination in writing skills.  No student will be eligible to receive the BA or BS degree unless the examination is passed.

The examination consists of the writing of an impromptu theme on one of several topics of interest.  If syntax, punctuation, and diction are in accord with the conventions of standard English and if the argument or exposition is clear and coherent, the student will pass.  If a student's writing is found to be deficient in these respects, notice of the unsatisfactory performance on the examination will be sent to the student, to the student's academic advisor, and to the Registrar. 

A student who fails the examination must take specific steps to improve skills in written English.   These steps may be systematic tutoring at the Center for Learning Resources, enrollment in E 103 Fundamentals, or the formulation of a program of self-study.  The student must retake the examination each subsequent semester until the examination is passed.  In no case shall the requirements for a four-year degree be completed without satisfactory performance on the Writing Proficiency Examination.

The WPE is administered each October and February. 

The Registrar will preregister in E 300 all students who have completed >57 credits and:
            a.         have not yet taken the WPE, or
            b.         have taken the WPE but did not perform satisfactorily.
Thus, “E 300 Writing Proficiency Exam” will appear on the student’s schedule as a zero-credit course when registration begins for the next available semester.  The course entry will include a section number with a date and time.  Typically, WPEs are administered in Kaplan Hall on a Friday and Saturday. 

Drop/Add is permitted up until the week prior to the test date.  Students are permitted to change sections in order to avoid schedule conflicts with other courses.  Dropping the WPE is not recommended without explicit instruction from one’s advisor.  Those who need to take the exam in the Office of Access Services may drop E 300 entirely and set up a testing appointment with Access Services. 

Grades for the WPE will appear on Matrix a few weeks following the exam.  Unsatisfactory performance is reported to the student, the student’s advisor, and the Center for Learning Resources.  Students who do not pass the exam are strongly encouraged to attend the WPE Workshop Series and/or individual tutoring sessions sponsored by CLR in order to correct deficiencies before retaking the exam the next semester.