To qualify for a degree, certificate, or for advancement to candidacy for a master's degree, students under the 1977-78 or subsequent catalogs must meet the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). To meet the GWAR, students must first take the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE). The WPE assesses analytical writing ability and determines whether further coursework in intensive writing is required. Please visit the GWAR website for more information.
Undergraduate students must attempt the WPE during the semester in which they will earn 65 units, and transfer students/graduate students must attempt it in their first semester of attendance. Otherwise, a registration hold will be placed on your records. If you get a hold, you can file one appeal to have the hold temporarily removed. The appeal form given below must be completed and mailed or delivered to Testing, Evaluation & Assessment, along with a completed WPE registration form and check or money order for $25.
Appeal to Have a WPE Hold Temporarily Removed Form 
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Current students can obtain their WPE results on MyCSULB six to eight weeks after attempting the exam. CSULB students who are not currently enrolled and are not returning may need to request a score report. This form is given below; please complete it and deliver or mail it to our office.
The WPE Workbook contains helpful information, a scoring guide, sample essay topics with student responses and an analysis of the scoring of the sample student essays. It is available to be downloaded below:
45KB 66KB 68KB 67KB 47KBThe workbook is also available at the Copy Center in the University Bookstore. The Copy Center is located on the first floor, in the far right corner, and the phone number is (562) 985-5050. The cost is around $7.00.
Free WPE preparation workshops are available one to two weeks before each WPE administration. Pre-registration is not required. Students should obtain the WPE Workbook and bring it to the workshop. One workshop focuses on students who are non-native speakers of English; however, both workshops are open to all students.
*Note: registrations must be received by the above deadlines by 5:00 p.m.
Students applying for extended time must do so one week before the deadlines listed above.
