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| General Information Booklet |
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Frequently asked Questions | WPST General Information |
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| What is the WPST? |
| WPST stands for "Writing Proficiency Screening Test." It is used to determine your readiness for Writing Proficiency (WP) courses, which satisfy the University's Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. You must pass the WPST before you can enroll in any Writing Proficiency (WP) course, in or out of your major. For example, any student wishing to enroll in ART 4570, a WP course, must pass the WPST before the semester begins. Art majors, also, must first have passed the WPST before enrolling in ART 4570. |
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| What does the WPST consist of ? |
The WPST is a test of your writing abilities. You will be given an hour and a half to write one essay to demonstrate whether you write well enough to enroll in a WP course. A very modest performance will get you through because the WPST is a screening test rather than a final competence indicator.
The subject is always one that requires no specialized information beyond common sense experience of life, and you are asked to say something substantial about the subject. Merely generating correct sentences and giving back the question-restating what the question supplies-is not enough. You must develop and sustain a main idea throughout the essay. |
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| What is a WP course? |
It's an upper division course, in any department, designated as a Writing Proficiency course by the University Writing Committee. In a WP course, students are expected to write as an integral part of learning course content and preparing for their careers. A grade of C- or higher in the WP course indicates that the department endorses the writing competence of the student receiving the grade.
If I have passed my GE courses (ENGL 1001 and ENGL 2000 or PHIL 2000) and also passed the WPST, why should a WP course be necessary?
The WPST does not guarantee writing competency. It is a screening test. The WP course offers you time to learn to polish your writing in contrast to the WPST 's rapid first draft.
Writing is not just something to be instructed in and tested on. It's a way of communicating information about your discipline while at the university and afterward as you pursue your chosen career. The right place to practice is in a WP course in your major -- when you're relatively mature and committed to a subject area and are anticipating entering a given field of work after graduation. Achievement is demonstrated in WP courses, where you write about a subject you know about for teachers in that discipline. The teachers of WP courses will provide you with important feed-back about how effectively you are communicating the information you are assimilating in your major coursework.
How can I identify a WP course? Some WP courses are listed in the University catalog. Since new WP courses are added from time to time, you should check with your department or advisor for an updated list.
WP courses are identified in the Class Schedule by the symbol "WP" occurring immediately following the course title. Example: ART 4570 001 Senior Seminar in Art History (WP). |
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| Who must take the WPST? |
All students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree (BA or BS) must take the WPST, except those who have satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement on this campus, or those who satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement on another CSU campus before transferring to Stanislaus. Since one reason for the WPST is to implement a CSU system wide writing requirement, there are no exemptions based on GPA or other performance indicators.
If I challenge the content of a WP course, do I have to take the WPST First?
Yes.
If I pass the CBEST as an undergraduate, do I still have to take the WPST?
Yes.
If I take more than one WP course, must I pass the WPST each time?
No. Once you have passed the WPST, you may enroll in as many WP courses as you like.
Can I register for a WP course before I have passed the WPST?
Yes. You might be required to register for classes before having the opportunity to take the WPST. If this happens, you may register for a WP class. Remember: if you fail to take the test or don't pass it by the first day of the WP class, you must drop the course. |
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| When should I take the WPST? |
| If you started Stanislaus as a freshman, you should take the WPST as soon as you pass ENGL 2000 or PHIL 2000. If you transferred to Stanislaus as a junior, take the WPST during your first semester on campus -- unless you have not yet completed ENGL 2000 or PHIL 2000 or their equivalents. |
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| How can I prepare for the WPST? |
Read and write regularly. Take your Area A General Education classes seriously. Take other courses in which writing is required. If you have difficulty with your writing, seek help from a tutor at the Writing Center. Attend the WPST Preparation Meetings. Take advantage of the campus-sponsored self-help facilities (see pp. 15-17).
Read the sample question in the next section of this booklet. Write your response (allow yourself 1 1/2 hours). Then, read the sample essays in the booklet and compare them to your essay. |
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| What is the WPST preparation meeting? |
| It is a quick review session for the test. Dates and location for each meeting will be posted on this website and in the WPST Office, Writing Center and all academic departments. |
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| How are the WPST essays scored? |
| Your WPST essays are read by CSU Stanislaus and local community college faculty (not just English teachers!) who are trained for the work and who do it under controlled conditions for accuracy and uniformity in scoring. They read the WPST essays holistically; that is, they make a judgment about the overall merit of each piece of writing, trying to reward what the essay does well. Each essay is read and scored by at least two different readers. |
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| What are the WPST readers looking for? |
| They are looking for papers that focus on the question and develop an idea in an informative, explanatory manner. Acceptable essays will be organized. The writing will be free of habitual errors. |
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| What if I fail the WPST? |
| You must retake the test until you pass. |
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| What if I repeatedly fail the WPST? |
WPST Workshop
The Writing Center, in cooperation with the WPST office and Student Support Services, is offering a series of WPST Preparation Workshops. For more information, go to the ‘Welcome’ page of the WPST website, and click on the WPST Workshop. PDF. Please visit the WPST office, MSR 180 to sign up for the workshop sessions.
ENGLISH 3000
ENGL 3000 (3 units) is an Intermediate Composition Course.
Course designed to help students further develop their abilities in addressing the complexity of a topic, developing an argument, organizing information, and controlling language. Students successfully completing the course and the final examination will be eligible to register for Writing Proficiency courses. Prerequisite: Two unsuccessful attempts on the Writing Proficiency Screening Test (WPST).
Good Papers:
- Focus on the question
- Demonstrate a purpose
- Explain the main points
- Have clear organization
- Use language correctly
Sample WPST Question and Student Essays
These are student essays written during an administration of the WPST. Use them as a guide to how well you must write in order to pass the WPST. Write an essay of your own from the prompt given below. Then compare your essay with the sample ones. |
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| Writing Proficiency Screening Test (WPST) Prompt |
Passage to Consider:
Good leadership seems necessary for any progress in human affairs. We must look at our leaders very carefully, whether they are elected, appointed or have inherited a position of leadership. Presidents, pastors, teachers, committee chairs, school board members, student body presidents, legislators and other officials are some of the leaders we look to for vision, purpose and direction.
Directions for Writing:
Write a well developed essay on the issue above. Identify a leader whom you can write about in detail. Using concrete examples and focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of that person’s qualities of leadership and leadership behavior, evaluate that person as a leader.
You may choose a leader from any country.
Essay One
Society is created by individuals that have been influenced throughout their life by people they deemed as leaders. By following the examples of the person, they are molded into the person they are today. Our society needs positive role models and good leadership and my father-in law, Jim Greaves, fills this position.
Jim is a teacher of high school and an instructor to anyone he comes into contact with. He is an inspiration to all and a very kind person. I have known him for eighteen years.
He began his teaching career at Oakdale High School approximately 35 years ago. He has taught many subjects, Math to English, science to history, Accounting to wood shop and physical education.
His courses are never dull or boring for his students. One year he was instructing a science course and the topic was bats. Few of his students had actually seen a bat up close so he decided to bring the bats to them. That evening he went to a friend's home and asked if he could catch some bats from his barn to take them to his classroom for his students. His friend agreed and the hunt began. They managed to capture six bats which were taken to the school so the students could study the bats up close. The bats were released back to the barn that evening.
This is an example of an instructor doing more for his students than was required of him. His students felt like they were special because the teacher cared enough about them to catch bats in a barn for them. He always strives to create a feeling of self-worth in his students. He wants his students to know he cares and is always there for them, on and off the school ground.
Jim coached basketball for several years. This is not unusual except he was coaching girls basketball. Oakdale High could not locate anyone to accept the position and it was very close to the start of the season. Jim was approached by the girls on the team and was asked if he would be their coach. He explained he had never coached an all girl basketball team before but was willing to do his best. This team needed quite alot of work if they wanted to win. The team worked individually and not as a unit. Jim Turned their attitude and skills around, forming a strong basketball team that led to lifelong friendships along the way.
He videotaped their games to show them each team members strengths and weaknesses. A good coach praises as well as gives constructive suggestions to improve their performance. He would take the team out for pizza or ice cream just to tell them they played well, even when they lost.
He truly cared for his players. One girl, Jill, had a very difficult home life which showed in her grades and attitude. She was surrounded by an abusive environment. Jim would spend extra time with her helping her with her studies and teaching her she was a good person, regardless of what her family said. This girl went from a "C" average to an "A" student. She joined outside educational groups and eventually received a full basketball scholarship to Cal Poly when she graduated High School.
Jill still keeps in touch with Jim and regularly requests advise on education courses and everyday life. Because Jim cared for this girl and wanted her to succeed, she did. She is now studying to be a teacher and has become an asset to the community instead of being a burden on society which would have happened if someone hadn?t taken a positive interest in her.
Family is a main part of Jim's life. He has two children, two grandchildren and a loving wife. His family always comes first and he puts his welfare second.
Two days ago, Jim took his son Bryan, my husband, and his granddaughter Nikki fishing at Sand Flat, above Clarks Fork. The river was running high and fast. My husband was on the opposite side of the river and got a fish hook caught in his left eye. He called for his father to help him. Jim had to cross the log going across the river to reach Bryan. Jim has back problems and was unable to walk across the log, he had to crawl across to help Bryan. Jim never considered if he fell, he would be washed down the river to his death, he only thought of his son. Calmly he cut the line on Bryan?s pole and helped him get back to the car, again crawling over the log, so they could go to the hospital. Jim never got excited during this incident even when Nikki accidently locked the keys in the car at the hospital and they had to wait for AAA to unlock the car so they could come home.
Because the fishing trip was so short, Jim is taking any family members that would like to go fishing on another trip next week. (Bryan opted to skip this trip.)
Jim won the Golden Bell Award for teaching this year. We were all very moved by his accomplishment and proud of him. He has influenced so many people in his life.
The last few years he has been teaching remedial math to students with many problems. His class consists of pregnant teens, gang members and many with substance abuse problems. It is difficult to stay motivated when many of these students are on a self-destruction course in life. Even though the students do not seem to care about themselves, Jim still cares for them. He finds a ways to reach them on their level. He awards them with "movie days" or food if they complete their homework. By the end of the school year, he has reached some of these kids and is able to talk to them about their situations. He helps them look for jobs and intervenes in their personal life if it will help them. At the end of the school year, many of these students gave him gifts. He achieved his goal, he reached a student and made a difference in their life.
Jim's only weakness is he cares too much. When he sees a student or another person that he could help and the person refuses the aid, it causes him internal grief. He may not say it hurts him, but you can see it in his eyes - he has failed.
My father-in-law is an assett to the community with leadership qualities. He is sincere and compassionate, with morality as the center of his being. He loves life and wants to make our world a better place to live, not only for us today but also future generations. Jim has touched the lives of young people today through his leadership, which will be the leaders of tomorrow. These young people who have been influenced by Jim will make good leaders for future generations to come. |
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Essay Two
Leaders are the foundation of acheivement and success. A leader can range from the President of the United States to a mother of four in Bloomington, Indiana. When looking at a leader one must evaluate his/her purpose and direction. One must sense the direction that leader has before knowing whether he/she is the right person to follow. When looking at a leader carefully one must evaluate that individual and find out whether he/she fits your concept of a leader. When I look at a leader vision, purpose and direction are key, but they are not alone. I look for the other things. The strengths I look for in a leader are charisma, ability to teach, attitude, and decision-making. I say this because for the last three years I have admired and followed a man with those qualities. He is the head coach of Basketball at CSUS and his name is John Jones. He has been a leader to me on and off the basketball court.
When talking about leaders, John Jones is the first to stand out. Not just because he is close to home but he fits my description of a leader. John Jones strengths are very wide-ranged. When looking at him, the very first thing I notice is his charisma. The man is just full of energy that can erupt into a show. When he gets excited he can light up a room. On the basketball court, his charisma can electrify any player into a Micheal Jordan, one of the greatest players ever in the history of the NBA. He does this by yelling and screaming at his player to dig deep and find if you have the heart to succeed.
Another strength Coach Jones possesses is the ability to teach. He makes learning fun because he adds stories to every play that makes the athlete want to listen. For example, if he were teaching an offensive set-up he would tell a story about it, like where it came from and who invented it. He just possesses that ability for people to understand so learning seems easy.
Another strength coach John Jones has is his attitude. At times it can be down right oppressive but other times it can be heart warming. His attitude is a portrayal of who he is and what he does. When a person looks at him for the first time they notice his wrinkled brow, sagging posture, and his ill-mannered way. It is easy to tell that this man is coach. It is all entailed by his attitude. He has made friends far and wide because of his attitude. When an assistant coach first arrives on campus the very first thing he might say is "God, this man is strange". Yet the assistant stays and learns under a future idol because Jones’s attitude is in the right place and he has made the assistant feel special.
The final strength Coach Jones possesses is the ability to make quick decisions. That ability alone makes him a great coach. In pressure situation, when the games is close, he will call a timeout and sketch a play that can win the game. That ability can not be taught or learned , it is heaven sent.
Although every man may have some weaknesses, Coach Jones is one that keeps his off the court not on. He has a job to do and that is to make Stanislaus St. the best basketball team it can be provided the provided the circumstances, such as non-scholar-ship athletes. I feel Coach Jones has done a wonderful job doing so. He has done so using his strengths. Charisma, ability to teach, attitude and decision-making all have played key roles in his success. When ever I look up the word leader, the name I will see next to it is Coach John Jones at the CSUS men’s basketball team.
Test Dates
The WPST is offered approximately one month before the beginning of each semester. Current test dates are on the test application form. |
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| WPST Preperation Options |
This Website
Read this webpage carefully to understand what is expected of you on the test. Follow the self-help program outlined on this webpage.
WPST Coordinator
If you are having difficulty with the WPST, see the WPST coordinator, who will help you develop a writing agenda. Call 667-3069 to schedule an appointment
WPST Preparation Meetings
For anyone about to take, or retake, the WPST: Review of a recent administration of the WPST, featuring representative high and low pass essays shown on an overhead projector, with commentary. Question period follows. These meetings are free of charge and not mandatory to attend.
See the flyer posted outside of the WPST office, or in the Writing Center for times and locations.
WPST-Specific Tutoring
Set up an appointment with a Writing Center tutor by calling 667-3465. Trained tutors can assign and evaluate practice essays and help you improve your writing skills in various ways. If you have failed the WPST, let the person signing you up know. The Writing Center Director will pull your test booklet and set up a plan with the tutor.
WPST Workshops
Offered through Student Support Services, a non-credit workshop providing individual help in test taking strategies, writing effectiveness review, practice essay writing and confidence building. Contact the Student Support Services Office, Room 145 SSB, 667-3220, for specific information. |
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| A "Self-Help Program" in WPST preparation |
Evaluate Your Writing Skills
Collect the papers you have written for composition classes such as ENGL/PHIL 2000, and read the teachers' comments. Review the methods you used to deal with the problems pointed out in your papers. Compile a checklist of errors typical of your work and of words you tend to misspell. Devise methods of proofreading for the errors and learn to spell the words.
Practice
Read essays that state opinions on subjects of general social interest. These essays may be found in newspaper editorials or in magazines. . Analyze the writers' arguments and think through your own position on each topic.
Review meanings of directives like "explain," "analyze," "compare," "evaluate," and "describe." WPST directions may use them.
Stop by The Writing Center and pick up some sample WPST Writing questions. Go home, set a timer and practice writing under test conditions (90 minutes). You can also devise your own questions, find questions posed in articles you are reading, or write in response to questions in this or other test publications.
In your practice writing, first concentrate on what you have to say in response to the question. Outlining your main idea and supporting explanation might be of help. If you write your essay on every other line, you will have space to write in corrections as you edit. After writing the essay, re-read: first, for logic and development; next, for errors in grammar, punctuation, and misspellings, correcting as you read.
If you have difficulty thinking of arguments to present, you might anticipate the most obvious objections to the position you are taking and try to address those objections in your essay.
Work with friends who will also be taking the WPST. Write questions for one another. Help evaluate one another's practice essays.
Remember that tutors in the Writing Center, L-110, (667-3465) can help you evaluate your writing and can suggest ways to improve it. Bring samples of your writing. But remember, tutors are not magicians. Only you can improve your writing.
Take the WPST with Confidence
Relax. Remember that WPST readers are not looking for perfection, but just for evidence that you can write at a minimal college level. Remember to focus on the question, respond to it, make your points clearly, support them with explanations and suitable examples, and do so in language that is appropriate and correct. |
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