Recent revisions in the GWAR policy represent a shift from exclusive reliance on assessment to a focus on writing instruction and skills development. For this new emphasis on instruction to be effective, advisors must provide timely and accurate information to help students access the most appropriate instructional resources.
The current GWAR policy expands GWAR options to include assessments associated with approved courses. Students must first attempt the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) or the analytic writing portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). If unsuccessful, students may re-take these assessments or enroll in an approved GWAR course.
Undergraduate students must attempt the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) or the analytic writing portion of the GRE or GMAT during the semester in which they complete 65 units. Transfer students and graduate students must attempt one of these assessments during their first semester of enrollment at CSULB. Three-hour free WPE Workshops are offered during the 2-week period prior to each test date. CS Links provides a report of students in your department who have not yet satisfied the GWAR.
If you suspect that students need to improve their English language proficiency or if they're unsuccessful in their first attempt to satisfy the GWAR, immediately advise them to get tutoring, enroll in an appropriate course, or do both. Refer students to the following resources:
After attempting the WPE once, students may satisfy the GWAR by successfully completing assessments connected with approved GWAR courses. Currently, the following GWAR courses are offered:
If students are no longer enrolled at CSULB or if they don't have access to on-campus resources, they can enroll in English Writing Proficiency, an online course offered through University College Extension Services designed to help second language writers develop the skills needed to pass the WPE or the analytic writing portion of the GRE or GMAT.
