Office of Admissions
Fall 2007 Admitted Transfer Students*
Step 2 – Fulfill Testing Requirements (Transfer)
All undergraduates must demonstrate competency in writing skills at the upper division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree. The Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) is a 90-minute exam that SDSU uses to determine which students write well enough to fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) and which students require an additional writing course or two in order to fulfill the requirement.
Students must take the Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) during the semester in which they achieve 60 units or in the semester immediately following. As a transfer student, you have completed 60 units or are completing 60 units during spring 2007. Therefore, you must take the exam between the time you are admitted and the end of fall 2007 (your first semester at SDSU).
NOTE: You cannot opt out of taking the WPA and enroll in a writing class to take the place of the WPA. You must take the WPA by the end of fall 2007.
If you do not take the exam prior to registration for the spring 2008 semester, you will not be allowed to register for courses in spring 2008 or future terms at SDSU. You are permitted to take the Writing Proficiency Assessment twice by the end of fall 2007. Please plan to pay the $35 testing fee each time you take the exam.
WPA Score Results
- Score 7 or below - You will be required to take RWS 280 (or RWS 281 or Linguistics 281 if English is your second language) in the spring 2008 semester. The registration system will enforce this requirement. You will not be allowed to register until you are enrolled in the appropriate course. Once this course is completed, you will be required to take an approved upper division writing course prior to graduation.
- Score 8 or 9 - You will be required to complete an approved upper division writing course with a grade of “C” or higher prior to graduation.
- Score 10 or above - You will satisfy the statewide Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement and do not have to take a writing course, unless an upper division writing course is required by your major.
Test Dates
The following test dates are being offered during spring 2007:
- February 17 (online/in-person registration deadline: February 2; mail-in registration deadline: January 31)
- March 24 (online/in-person registration deadline: March 9; mail-in registration deadline: March 7)
- April 28 (online/in-person registration deadline: April 13; mail-in registration date: April 11)
Summer and fall test dates can be found on the Test Office Web site.
Be sure to print, read and discuss the 6 Steps with your parents in order to get the most out of the information.
* Your official notification of admission is the letter you received in the mail. Please note that this site does not indicate proof of admission.