What is the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Assessment?
The Upper Division Writing Proficiency Assessment (WPA) is an undergraduate writing exam that was implemented to ensure that “all graduates of the University possess the ability to write with clarity of thought and precision of language” (UM Catalog, General Education Requirements). The exam is administered by The Writing Center to students with sophomore or junior standing to determine the students’ readiness for upper division writing courses. The WPA is NOT an exit exam and should be passed before a student achieves senior standing. Passing the WPA satisfies a general education requirement that is one of the requirements for a first bachelor degree from UM. The WPA is an essay exam administered six times per year. For each exam, students are assigned a 1,200 to 1,500-word text that is made available two weeks prior to a test date (Assessment Text). At the exam, the students receive a hard copy of the assessment text and two essay questions. Students who take the exam on computer hav
