Writing Placement Testing
On this page:
Overview
Wright State's Writing Placement Test is an online assessment tool used to determine the right writing course for you to take. It asks you to read a brief essay, write a summary of it, and then write an essay related to the essay’s topic. You have 12 hours from the time you begin the test to do the reading and writing and submit your work online.
Submit your online Writing Placement Test summary and essay at least 10 days before your scheduled Orientation date. If you do not, your course schedule may be incomplete.
Start or Submit the Writing Placement Test
To begin the writing placement test, you will be required to authenticate with your Wright State UID and PIN. The first time you log in, you will see the test and instructions for completing it. Remember: Once you begin the test, you must complete it by submitting your writing within 12 hours.
To submit your test, you will return to this page and log in again. When you do, you will receive instructions for submitting your test.
If you do not know your campus UID and PIN or have trouble logging on, please call the Help Desk at (937) 775-4827 (toll-free at 1-888-775-4827) or visit 025 Library Annex.
For more information or assistance, please contact Testing Services at (937) 775-5750.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I need my writing placement score because I have Orientation tomorrow. How can I test?
While we encourage you to have your placement testing completed 10 days prior to Orientation, if you have not had the opportunity to complete your online Writing Placement assessment, your next best option is to complete these important steps as soon as you can, even if this means that you attend Orientation without the expected preparation. This means that you must still attend your scheduled Orientation, but when you come, your academic advisor might not be able to place you into your ideal writing course. You will be able to register for other courses.
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Who must take the Writing Placement Test?
The best writing course for your needs is determined through a combination of ACT English or SAT Critical Reading scores and your score on the Writing Placement Test. We recommend completing the Writing Placement Test as soon as possible; at least 10 days before your orientation/registration in order to complete the evaluation in time for you to be given a schedule at orientation.
*Your English course placement will be based on your highest ACT/SAT scores. Non-native students scoring a 30 or 40 on the Writing Placement test will be given a final placement assessment on the first day of class.
If you have earned credit for ENG 1100 through dual enrollment, AP, PSEO, or transfer credits, you are not required to take the Writing Placement Test. Be sure to verify equivalency and document requirements with your academic advisor.
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Why do I need to complete a writing assessment?
Taking the writing course that is right for you is an important first step to developing the writing skills you’ll need both now and later. To earn a degree in any major, you will need to earn passing grades in two first-year writing courses, four writing-intensive courses in the Wright State Core (general education), and two writing-intensive courses in your major.
Policy
Students place into writing courses based on ACT or SAT scores and/or performance on Wright State’s Writing Placement Test. This chart shows which courses students may take based on their scores. Students without valid scores will place into co-requisite sections of DEV 0920 and ENG 1100.
| Course | ACT/SAT Score | Wright State Placement Level |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 1100 Academic Writing and Reading |
|
86 |
| ENG 1140 Intensive Academic Writing and Reading 4-credit-hour course that meets 4 days/week |
|
84 |
| ENG 1100 Academic Writing and Reading for Non-Native Speakers-English/Second Language | Based on placement test | 40 |
| ENG 1030 English/Second Language: Advanced Writing Does not apply toward Wright State Core requirements or graduation |
Based on placement test | 30 |
| DEV 0920 Foundations of College Reading and Writing + ENG 1100 Academic Writing and Reading The ENG 1100 requirement applies toward WSU Core requirements & graduation; the DEV 0920 Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) co-requisite does not apply toward Core or graduation, but credit hours earned in DEV 0920 can help students achieve full-time registration status for the term. |
|
60 |
Policy Information
- A $25 writing placement test fee will appear on tuition bill after Writing Placement score has been recorded on Wings Express Test Score page.
- Wright State’s Writing Placement is an online assessment. Students have 12 hours from the time they start the process to complete & submit work online.
- ACT & SAT English scores are valid for two years. Readmitted students with expired test scores should take the Wright State Writing Placement Test (WPT) unless they earned a Wright State WPT score at the ENG 1100 level. Students may use the highest valid non-expired score. Note: In Spring 2016, the SAT organization implemented a new scoring system. Students with what are being referred to as “old” SAT scores took exams before March 2016. Students with “new” SAT scores completed the SAT in March 2016 or anytime thereafter.
- Students may fulfill the Wright State Core writing requirement with previous college composition credit of a grade C or higher or posted AP credit for ENG 1100. If students have such credit, they need not take the writing placement test.
- Transfer students who do not have transfer credit (within two years) for an equivalent Wright State English course should determine placement by a valid non-expired ACT/SAT score or by taking the Wright State Writing Placement Test.
Retesting
- Wright State Writing Placement Test scores are final. There is no retest.
- Non-native speakers with Writing Placement scores of 30 or 40 will take a diagnostic test on the first day of class to verify placement.
- Current College Credit Plus students with questions about prior placement scores should contact testing_services@wright.edu for more information.
Additional Notes
- Students who passed ENG 1120 with a "C" or higher, but did not take ENG 1130, should take ENG 1100. (The ENG 1120-1130 sequence is no longer offered.) Students with grades of "D" or "F" in ENG 1120 may select one of two options to achieve higher grades in a subsequent term: Register for ENG 1140 or register for Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) co-requisite courses. (Remediation-free standards still apply for ALP.)
- Students who did not earn a “C” or higher in ENG 1130 are not ready for ENG 1100. They should take ENG 1140 or (if not remediation-free) ALP co-requisite courses instead.
Remediation-Free Standards
Students with valid non-expired ACT English scores of 18 (or above), “old” SAT Writing scores of 430 (or above), or “new” SAT Reading/Writing scores of 490 (or above) cannot be placed in DEV 0920 due to state remediation-free standards.
