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Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP)

Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP)

The California State University Board of Trustees has determined that all students must demonstrate competence in writing as a requirement for the baccalaureate. At CSUF, you must demonstrate proficiency in written composition in English by passing the Examination in Writing Proficiency (EWP) and by completing an upper division writing course specified for your major. The information posted here describes the examination portion of the requirement.

The EWP consists of an essay. The examination does not ask for specialized information, but assesses writing proficiency. You have been developing this ability by steady practice over a period of years.

Students should take the EWP at the first opportunity after they complete 60 units towards graduation, that is, upon achieving junior status. To avoid delaying graduation, students should not postpone taking the exam later than the junior year. Students who fail the exam should retake it until they pass. Undergraduate students with multiple failures may apply for a specially designated non-credit writing course, English 199, Intensive Writing Review. Passing this course is equivalent to passing the examination.

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EWP Test Exemptions

Transfer students and candidates for a second bachelor's degree who have completed the graduation writing requirement at another CSU campus are certified as having met the upper-division writing requirement at Cal State Fullerton. Students must have been enrolled at the CSU campus where they satisfied the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. It is the student's responsibility to submit proof of certification at the Admissions and Records Service Center located in Langsdorf Hall, room 114.

Transfer students and candidates for a second bachelor's degree who attended universities other than CSU and believe they have satisfied an equivalent requirement may file a petition to be certified as meeting the examination requirement with the University Board on Writing Proficiency.

Students may petition the board for substitution of an alternative to the EWP when exceptional circumstances make the exam inappropriate. Such petitions must include documentation of the special circumstances, such as a certified learning disability, and propose specific alternative means of demonstrating writing proficiency.

Petition forms can be obtained from the Admissions and Records Service Center located in Langsdorf Hall, room 114.

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EWP Test Dates

(NOTE: Test registration may close early if maximum seating capacity is reached.)

NEW! You can register and pay the $20 test fee for the EWP online at the Student Portal.

To register for the EWP online, logon to the Student Portal. At your homepage, select the TITAN Online tab. Look for the 'Test Information' box to the right of your class schedule. Follow the easy instructions to register and pay for the EWP. You must complete your registration by 5:00 PM on the registration deadline.

Remember to print your EWP Confirmation Ticket at the end of the registration process and bring it with you to the test session. Your EWP Confirmation Ticket will list your test date, test time, reporting location, and what to bring to the exam.

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EWP Registration Information

You can register for the EWP either ONLINE or in-person.

To register for the EWP online, logon to the Student Portal. At your homepage, select the 'TITAN Online' tab. Look for the 'Test Information' box to the right of your class schedule. Follow the easy instructions to register and pay for the EWP. You must complete your registration by 5:00 PM on the registration deadline. (NOTE: Test registration may close early if maximum seating capacity is reached.) Remember to print your EWP Confirmation Ticket at the end of the registration process and bring it with you to the test session.

To register for the EWP in-person, pick up the EWP Registration Form from the University Testing Center, located in UH-229. Complete the form and take it to Student Financial Services, located in UH-180, and pay your $20 EWP test fee by 5:00 PM on the registration deadline date. Mail-in applications will NOT be accepted. (NOTE: Test registration may close early if maximum seating capacity is reached.) Approximately one week after you pay your EWP test fee, check the Student Portal for your EWP Confirmation Ticket. To access your EWP Confirmation Ticket, logon to the Student Portal. Select the 'TITAN Online' tab at the top of your homepage. Look for the 'Test Information' box to the right of your class schedule and click on EWP Adm Ticket. The EWP Confirmation Ticket will list your test date, test time, reporting location, and what to bring to the exam. Remember to print your EWP Confirmation Ticket and bring it with you to the test session.

IMPORTANT: If you have not been enrolled in classes within the last 9 months and no longer have access to the Student Portal, contact the University Testing Center, located in University Hall-room 229, for EWP registration instructions.

Special Accommodations. If you have a disability that requires special accommodations or if you are unable to test on Saturdays because of religious convictions, you should contact the University Testing Center prior to the registration deadline for the test date you want. Do NOT use the EWP Online Registration System if you require special accommodations.

Test Fee Refund. If you cannot attend a test session and cancel your registration for the EWP at least 24 hours before the test date, you will receive a $20 refund. You must come to the University Testing Center, located in UH-229, to request your refund prior to the test date.

If you do not take the test on your scheduled date and do not cancel your registration, a partial refund of $12 will be made upon request. A request for a partial refund must be made in person at the University Testing Center before the next EWP test date.

Test Date/Test Time Change. After you complete your registration for the EWP, it may be possible to change your test date and/or test reporting time.

To change your EWP test date and/or test time, logon to the Student Portal and select the 'TITAN Online' tab at the top of your homepage. Look for the 'Test Information' box, located to the right of your class schedule. Click on EWP Test Transfer and follow the easy instructions. You must complete the transfer to a different test date and/or test time by 5:00 PM on the registration deadline. Changes can be made only if there is space available in the requested test date and/or test time.

Remember to print your revised EWP Confirmation Ticket and bring it with you to the test session.

Standby Registration. You should make every effort to register before the test registration deadline. However, it may be possible for you to take the EWP even though you are not registered for the test. Standby registrants will be admitted only if sufficient space and testing materials are available. An additional $10 fee is assessed for standbys, for a total test fee of $30. Contact the University Testing Center at 714-278-3838 for detailed stand-by instructions.

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EWP Test Scores

Your EWP test results will be available at the Student Portal approximately four weeks after the exam date. To access your test results, logon the Student Portal and select the 'TITAN Online' tab at the top of your homepage. Your EWP test results should appear in the 'Test Information' box to the right of your class list. Select the test score button, either Pass or Fail, for further test score information.

The EWP consists of a 90-minute essay. The topic is designed to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write clearly and effectively. Your essay will be evaluated on the basis of organization, development, appropriate word choice, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and logic. It will be scored by faculty selected throughout the university who are trained specifically for this responsibility.

If you fail the EWP, you should contact the English Department in the University Hall Building (UH-323), telephone 714-278-3163. There, you can arrange for a review and interpretation of your test results with an English instructor who is also a reader for the EWP. The instructor may be able to suggest ways for you to improve your writing skills. Students who do not take specific steps to improve their writing before retaking the EWP rarely see much improvement in their scores.

After review and preparation, you may register to retake the EWP. Undergraduate students who fail the test a second time may apply for a specially designated non-credit course (English 199, Intensive Writing Review) which is considered equivalent to passing the EWP. Registration for this course is limited, with priority given to students who have completed all other coursework for a baccalaureate degree. Check with University Testing Services for more information about this course.

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English 199, Intensive Writing Review

A limited number of students who fail the EWP two or more times may apply to enroll in English 199, Intensive Writing Review. Credit in English 199 will be equivalent to passing the examination for undergraduate students. This course will not count toward graduation requirements, nor will it satisfy the upper division writing course requirement portion of the upper division writing requirement.

You need to complete an English 199 Application form for eligibility to register for English 199. Registration for this course is limited, with priority given to students who have completed all other coursework for a baccalaureate degree.

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