On May 26, 1976, the CSU Board of Trustees approved a resolution requiring that students demonstrate writing skills competency before receiving bachelors’ degrees. In February 1983, this requirement was extended to students seeking graduate degrees. Thus, to qualify for undergraduate or graduate degrees at CSUSB, students must complete the upper division writing competency requirement as a condition of graduation through one of three means:

1. Receive the required grade (“C” or better for undergraduates; “B” or better for graduates) in one of the following courses: Education 306, English 306, Natural Science 306, Humanities 306, Management 306 or Social Science 306;
2. Receive the required grade (“C” or better for undergraduates; “B” or better for graduates) in an advanced expository writing course from another accredited college or university;
3. Satisfactorily complete the upper division Writing Requirement Exemption Exam. (Please note: No units will be given for the exam.)

          Almost all undergraduate and graduate students should plan to take a 306 course, preferably in the first quarter of the junior year or the first quarter of the graduate program. These courses are designed to introduce students to the discipline-specific writing they will do in their courses, so they contribute significantly to students’ ability to perform well in their upper division and graduate coursework. However, some students who have had similar but not applicable preparation may choose to write the exemption exam (WREE).

          Baccalaureate candidates may take the examination any time after the beginning of the junior year/90 units. Post-baccalaureate students may take the examination at any time it is offered. However, students who choose to take the WREE rather than a 306 course should NOT delay taking the WREE until they are nearly ready to graduate. Students who delay and then do not pass the examination may not be able to graduate on schedule.

          Complete the registration form (WREE Registration Packet) and mail it to: CSUSB Testing Office 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, at least ten days before the exam date. You will receive an admission ticket that you must bring to the exam along with your $18.00 fee* (check or money order). If you have questions, please call (909) 537-5045.

 

Test Date	Registration Deadline
September 20, 2008	September 10, 2008
November 8, 2008	October 29, 2008
February 28, 2009	February 18, 2009
May 9, 2009	April 29, 2009

How and When do I Received my WREE Results?

          The Testing Office will send you your results approximately two weeks after you take the examination. If you pass the exam, your results will be sent to the Records and Graduate Offices as well.

Each registrant must bring the following to the test center:

1. photo identification such as a student I.D. card or driver's license
2. an admission ticket and $18.00* exam fee (check or money order)
3. several ballpoint pens
4. two large blue examination books
5. the textbook, A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers by Lee A. Jacobus 7th Edition (ISBN 0-312-44582-2). Notes written in margin of text are allowed.
6. a printed dictionary/thesaurus (optional). Electronic devices are not allowed.
7. a writing style guide (optional).

          If you do not pass the first time, you should seriously consider enrolling in a 306 course the following quarter. You may fulfill the Upper-Division Writing Requirement by completing a 306 course in your College (Education 306, English 306, Humanities 306, Management 306, Natural Science 306, or Social Science 306). Undergraduates must receive a course grade of "C" or better; graduate and credential students must receive a "B" or better.

OR
          You may re-take the WREE twice (a total of three times); however, each time you must pay the full $18.00* fee.
Back to Top

          The examination assesses your writing ability at the upper-division level, according to the writing proficiencies expected of those successfully completing an advanced expository writing course (306 class) at CSUSB. THE TEST IS QUITE CHALLENGING AND IS NOT A MINIMUM PROFICIENCY TEST.

          The test will consist of a central question with several specific sub-questions, based upon readings selected from the collection A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers by Lee A. Jacobus, 7th ed. (ISBN 0-312-44582-2). Prepare by thoroughly reading the selections assigned for your examination date; the list will be available both in the San Bernardino campus Testing Office (JB 405) and on the Palm Desert Campus. The list of selections from the text will change for each test date. Your response should include references to the assigned readings, as directed. However, it is essential that you develop an idea; simply summarizing the readings is an inadequate response.

          You will have three hours to complete your essay. Be sure to read the question carefully, for responses that do not successfully handle all parts of the question or do not combine all parts of the question into one cohesive essay will not pass, no matter how well they may be written. After you are certain that you understand the question fully, take time to plan your essay thoughtfully, write quickly, and then edit meticulously. You should not plan to re-copy your essay. You may make any notes you wish in your copy of the text; this will be an open-book exam. You may also use a printed dictionary/thesaurus and a writing style guide. Electronic devices are not allowed!

Your essay will be scored on how well you

1. respond completely and specifically to the question(s);
2. propose and coherently develop an idea of some complexity;
3. demonstrate your understanding of the readings by incorporating specific ideas and quotations in both your analyses and proposals;
4. edit carefully, making certain that you do not distract your readers with mechanical or grammatical errors; and
5. use source material to support, not substitute for, your own ideas, following an accepted citation format and using a “works cited” at the end of your essay.

WREE Registration Packet