In the midst of the coronavirus, events and activities are being canceled left and right, so it may not come as a surprise that the April 11 Writing Proficiency Screening Test (a graduation requirement for all students) was canceled. 

What may come as more of a surprise is that all future WPST administrations will be canceled as well. 

According to the WPST website, the California State University Chancellor’s Office sent out a memo on March 12, 2020 that instructed CSU campuses to suspend all Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) tests. 

With all of the stress brought on by COVID-19 and the resulting switch to online classes, students who are close to graduating may be relieved to hear that they have one less requirement to worry about. 

Sujung Cho (senior, Music) explains that, even though she feels that she could have passed the WPST, not having to take the test was a big relief.

“It reduced the pressure to pass the test in order to graduate next semester,” says Cho. 

GWAR coordinator, Rachel Grimshaw, explains a little bit more about what this means for Stan State students.

“The WPST cancellation means students can take a WP course in summer or fall without having a passing score on the WPST (since there is no test for them to take),” says Grimshaw.  

However, Grimshaw explains that the other requirements for registration in a WP course still apply. 

“To take a WP course in summer or fall, students will still need to meet the other prerequisites that are in place: completion of the Golden Four (A1, A2, A3, and Math).”

It’s important to note that, although the WPST is no longer a graduation requirement, your WP courses are.

Grimshaw emphasized the fact that changes are still being made and that we should be on the lookout for future updates. 

“The memo asks that we have a GWAR plan in place by Fall 2021, so while students can currently take a WP course without the WPST, there will likely be further changes to GWAR at Stan State in the coming months.”

As we all grapple with our rapidly changing lives, it can be easy to get overwhelmed, but Grimshaw reminds us that we are not alone. 

“We will do our best to communicate these changes to the campus community. In the meantime, if anyone has questions about or needs help with GWAR, they should contact me.”
Grimshaw can be contacted via email at [email protected].