Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

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 have two hours to write an essay that responds to one of the two questions; students who write the exam by hand have two and a half hours. No dictionaries or notes are allowed during the test.

All exams are scored by trained scorers using criteria written by UM faculty. Students may retake the exam as needed to meet the WPA requirement.

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Why do I have to pass the exam in addition to my courses?

The exam is one of several campus-wide measures intended to improve the writing proficiency of UM-M graduates. It serves as a mid-career diagnostic that demonstrates a student's level of proficiency while there is still time in the student's program to make improvements. Taken at the appropriate time, the assessment results help a student and his or her advisors make better decisions about the coursework a student needs to graduate.

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What does it mean to be a proficient writer?

Contrary to popular notions, a proficient writer is not necessarily an artist with a talent for vivid description or ingenious turns of phrase. By 'proficient', the UM faculty means a writer who can articulate and develop a point of view using logically sound evidence, properly ordered, with appropriate language and correct mechanics. Because the assessment question is based on a short, college-level text, being a proficient writer also implies being a critical reader and thinker. Such proficiencies seem to the faculty to be associated with well-educated college graduates in any discipline.

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Am I required to take the exam?

All undergraduates seeking their first bachelor degree are required to pass the WPA in order to meet their graduation requirements. Students attending UM who DO NOT have to meet this requirement are students who 1) have already earned a bachelor degree at UM or elsewhere, OR, 2) can demonstrate that they passed a similar, mid-career writing assessment exam at another institution of higher education (Can I appeal my score? Are there other ways to appeal?) . Non-degree students do not have to take the exam as long as they are not seeking a UM degree.

Students who transfer to UM with an associate degree or any number of credits ARE REQUIRED to take and pass the exam if they are seeking a first bachelor degree at UM. Students who transfer to UM with 45 or more credits should plan on attempting the exam during their first semester on campus.

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Can I substitute a course or paper for the exam?

No. The only way to meet the WPA requirement is to take and pass the exam.

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When should I take the exam?

You should take the exam once you have successfully completed the following:

  -ENEX 101 or its equivalent

  -one writing course (preferably lower division,    numbered 100-200)

  -45 academic credits, from any post-secondary institution

You should pass the exam by the time you have earned 70 academic credits. Students who delay taking or passing the WPA run the risk of not meeting all requirements for a degree by the time they wish to graduate.

How do I register for the exam?

Instructions for registering appear at To Register.

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How do I prepare for the exam?

First, print and read the assessment text carefully as soon as it becomes available, two weeks before each test date. Study the text until you have a good grasp of the author's message and the important details in the text. Then, study the pages of this website to get advice about the exam. For more help, make an appointment at The Writing Center for private tutoring before the exam. The tutor will help you talk out your response to the text and discuss ways to develop your position for an essay. You can even draft a response to the text using practice questions (provided at The Writing Center) and ask a tutor to critique it. The Writing Center also offers WPA workshops to help you understand what is expected of you on the exam. For most students, preparation for the assessment should be at least equal to the level of effort required on a mid-term or final exam in an academic course.

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Are there accommodations for students with disabilities?

Yes. If you are a qualified student with a disability and require reasonable accommodations in order to take the WPA, contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) at least five working days before an exam date to arrange these. Space is limited as all students are required to take the exam on the announced date. The staff of DSS may be reached at (406) 243-2243 (voice/text), or in their office at Lommasson 154. Students who take the WPA through DSS are still required to register for it on Cyberbear.

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What do I take with me to the exam?

You MUST show a picture ID (preferably your Griz Card) to be admitted to the exam. You should also bring something to write with. Proctors will provide each student with a copy of the assessment text, the test instructions, scratch paper, and a bluebook for those writing the exam by hand. You will not be allowed to use notes, dictionaries, diskettes, or any hand-held electronic devices (including cell phones) during the exam. Food and drink are prohibited in the computer labs.

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How do I find out how I did on the exam?

It takes eight to ten calendar days to score and process a set of exams. As soon as all the exams are scored, your score will be entered into your records so that you can view it through your Cyberbear account under Student Services > Student Records > View WPA Score. As each exam is scored twice, your score will be a sequence of two numbers between 1 and 5. Any score containing a number less than 3 is a failing score. The possible scores are: 11, 12, 22, 33, 34, 44, 45, 55. Exams that make no attempt to address the prompt are not scored. Exams that are scored 23 during the scoring period are read by a third reader to resolve the score to 22 or 33.

The scoring scale of 1-5 is used to place your exam in a range of essays with similar features. Most students who fail the exam receive a score of 22; most students who pass the exam score 33. Within these ranges, some essays are stronger than others. Especially if you fail the exam, it is critical to understand both what you did well and what you need to do better. The best way to find this out is to meet with a tutor at The Writing Center to discuss your exam in person. Such post-exam conferences offer personalized feedback to help you improve your writing skills quickly and efficiently. We do not recommend retaking the exam until you have had a conference at The Writing Center about your previous exam.

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What happens if I fail?

If you fail the exam, your first step should be to review your essay with a tutor at The Writing Center. (All exams are available for pick-up at The Writing Center about ten days after each exam.) The tutor will interpret your result for you and help you decide how to best prepare to retake the exam. Please note: Tutors do not score the exams and they do not participate in the appeal process.

If you have failed the exam two or more times or received a score of 11 on the exam, you are advised to enroll in an elective writing course such as UNC 270 Critical Writing II to build your writing skills and prepare yourself to pass the assessment. Critical Writing II is offered each semester for two credits through The Writing Center (register on Cyberbear). If you repeatedly fail the exam and are approaching or are in your senior year, you should contact the director of The Writing Center to review your options.

WPA scores, pass or fail, do not appear on your transcript or other published records. You may take the exam as many times as needed to pass it.

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Can I appeal my score?

Yes. If you believe that the scoring criteria were misapplied to your essay, you have five (5) working days from the day the scores are released in which to appeal your score. Your written appeal should include the UDWPA Appeals Process coversheet (available at The Writing Center in LA 144) and a copy of your essay. Appeals should be dropped off or mailed to 281 Lommasson c/o the Director of The Writing Center. You will be contacted by the Director no later than seven (7) working days after the last day to file an appeal, provided you have given current phone or email contact information.

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Are there other ways to appeal?

To ask to be exempted from the WPA requirement for any reason, you must file an appeal through the Academic Appeals Subcommittee (forms available at Griz Central). Students who have passed a similar exam at another institution should attach supporting documents to their appeal before securing all required signatures. Students wishing to appeal the requirement on other grounds are strongly urged to contact the director of The Writing Center prior to initiating an appeal.

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Who do I contact with questions about the exam?

For all general questions about the exam you can call The Writing Center at 406-243-2266, or email The Writing Center at growl@mso.umt.edu. Students who are required to take the exam but are no longer living in the Missoula area may arrange to take the exam with a proctor, at the director’s discretion. If you have special circumstances, contact Henriettta Goodman (Henrietta.Goodman@mso.umt.edu).

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