Under experimental UDWPE version, students perform pre-writing assignments

An experimental format of the upper division writing proficiency exam was administered recently in an attempt to better assess students' critical thinking skills, university officials said.

For the experimental test, students were given an essay to read before the day of the test. Traditionally, students are expected to read an essay and then write their own in response during the testing time.

Also under the new format, students are expected to perform a series of pre-writing assignments designed to get students to identify key concepts and extrapolate ideas to from an essay of their own.

The new format, administered April 13, was modeled on a critical thinking test developed by the Education Testing Service, of Princeton University, said, faculty associate in the office of vice president for undergraduate education, and is not a permanent change to the UDWPE.

After the exams are evaluated, the writing program will report the results to the university-wide general education committee at the start of the fall 2002 semester for consideration.

Willard said recommendation will undoubtedly be made to the provost and college deans.

He said an advantage to the new tests is that students are forced to write down their thinking process during the pre-writing assignments, then writing the actual essay.

"It would be helpful if you had a chance to think about it beforehand," said Stacy Moore, an evolutionary biology senior.

Willard said during the traditional tests, some students would complete the test in only half an hour instead of utilizing the full two hours they are given.

Under the new version, students are encouraged to spend an hour on the pre-writing assignments and an hour writing the actual essay.

"It would be helpful to read it before so you're not rushed for time," said Lindsey Link, a geosciences junior.

Willard said he expects students will score higher on the UDWPE as a result of the new criteria.

He said the new format wil also allow for a more balanced reading and evaluation of the tests as exam graders can see the way students organize their thoughts and the way they express those thoughts in their essay.

Willard said the new test attempts to establish how much students have retained after completing their general education program.

Students are not tested on specific information from general education classes, but the essays they are given to read come from a subject area covered under the general education program.

Willard said that a goal of the UDWPE would eventually be to give students the option to choose the essay to which they would respond.

Results of the tests won't be available until the summer.