WHAT IS THE
WPE?
Writing Assessment Office
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Campus Center
1st Floor, Room 1300
617.287.6330
writing.proficiency@umb.edu
WPE Testing Process
▸ When is the next WPE?
▸ The next portfolio is due October 23. Registration opens on September
21. Bookmark www.umb.edu/wpe. There, you can find the WPE schedule
for the academic year.
▸ Are there make-up days for the WPE if I miss it?
▸ No. If you miss the WPE you have to wait until the next one.
▸ If I take a timed exam and don’t pass can I switch to portfolio (or
vice-versa)?
▸ Yes.
▸ Do I have to turn in a portfolio in person?
▸ If you can’t make it to campus, a friend, or a family member can turn in
your portfolio for you. If you are an online student who lives far away, or if
you are traveling at the time of the WPE, contact us in advance by email
(writing.proficiency@umb.edu) and we will arrange for you to submit your
portfolio electronically.
Testing Process Continued
▸ Can I submit a portfolio by mail, email or by fax?
▸ No, you can’t. If for some reason you can’t submit your portfolio in
person on the due day, please contact the WPE office in advance, and
they will arrange for you to submit it electronically.
▸ How do I get the readings?
▸ Immediately after you have registered, the system will send to your
student email address a confirmation that you are registered. In that
message will be a link to the reading set. If you did not receive that
confirmation message, write to (writing.proficiency@umb.edu) and a
member of the WPE staff will send you the reading.
▸ How do I get the writing prompt/question?
▸ For portfolios, the writing prompt is on the first page of the reading set.
For timed exams, you will not get the writing prompt until you show up to
do the exam.
▸ How do I register for the WPE?
▸ Go to www.umb.edu/wpe during the registration period. You cannot
register outside of the registration period. (For instance, you will not be
able to register for the January WPE until December.)
Portfolio Process
▸ What does the portfolio consist of?
▸ A new 5-page essay answering the WPE reading set question, and at
least 15 pages You must turn in at least 15 pages of supporting course
papers.
▸ What is the criteria for supporting papers?
1. You must submit a minimum of two papers from two different
courses. Each paper must be a typed, graded paper written for a course
taught at UMB (for example, English 102, First Year Seminar, or
Intermediate Seminar).
2. At least one of the papers must come from a course at the 200-level
or higher (for example, an Intermediate Seminar).
3. All course papers must be analytical essays written in English and must
demonstrate the criteria outlined in The Elements of Writing Proficiency.
4. Two or three of the supporting course papers must be based on the
analysis of two or more sources. Only one paper may be based on the
analysis of one source or on the analysis of information gathered through
observation, interview, or experimentation.
Portfolio Process Continued
5. No single paper can be less than three full pages, and one paper must be
at least five full pages.
6. Each original graded paper must have attached to it a completed
certification form signed by the instructor who graded it. If you do not have
an original graded paper, but you have an electronic copy of the original
paper, you may print out a copy of the paper and use it if and only if the
professor to whom the paper was submitted signs the certification form and
writes “I remember that this is the paper submitted for the course” and
writes the original grade.
Portfolio Process Continued
▸ Can I turn a portfolio in early or late?
▸ Portfolios must be submitted on the due date only. The WPE office may
allow you to turn in a portfolio early with written permission. You can get
this permission by writing to the department email address,
writing.proficiency@umb.edu.
▸ Can I use two papers from one class?
▸ No, you can’t. You need to make an appointment with the director to get
this permission.
▸ How do I make a tutoring appointment?
▸ Appointments are scheduled by telephone only. Tutoring is mostly
available to students who have made at least two unsuccessful attempts
at the WPE, although spots may open up.
Portfolio Process Continued
▸ My professor didn’t respond when I asked for a certification.
▸ Unfortunately, the WPE office can’t help you directly with this problem.
Try visiting the professor in person during publicized office hours. If the
professor no longer works at UMB, you can ask the department chair to
sign the form.
▸ I’m a new transfer student who is doing a portfolio. Do I still need to
submit 15 pages of supporting papers?
▸ If you have been at UMB for two semesters or less, you only need 10
pages of course papers rather than 15 pages.
Timed Exam Process
▸ How do I prepare for a timed exam?
▸ Read and annotate your copy of the reading set several times (you can
bring your copy into the exam with you). Attend the workshop or view the
video-recording of the workshop. Write yourself a practice question and
practice writing an essay about the readings. Additional advice about
preparing for a timed exam can be found on the WPE website and will be
given during the scheduled workshop.
▸ Can I get tutoring for a timed exam?
▸ No. Tutoring is only offered to students who are preparing a portfolio.
WPE Grading Process
▸ English is not my first language/not my best subject. Will I be
graded on spelling and grammar?
▸ No, the WPE is not a spelling/grammar exam.
▸ What am I being graded on then?
▸ The Elements of Proficiency are the criteria that faculty readers use to
evaluate your proficiency in critical reading, thinking, and writing. The
Elements are directly related to the particular aims of the General
Education program (Gen. Ed.). The Gen. Ed. program is based on the
premise that frequent consideration of complex problems helps you to
develop the specific capabilities most often used in critical reading,
writing, and thinking.
Elements of Writing Proficiency
▸ Am I expected to be an expert in all the Elements of Proficiency?
▸ You are not expected to have mastered all of the elements perfectly;
rather, you are expected to “demonstrate intermediate proficiency in
writing.” This means that your writing will not be graded as a “retake”
merely because it contains a few spelling or punctuation errors. However,
it is unlikely that you will pass the exam without demonstrating an
intermediate mastery of the higher order thinking criteria outlined in the
Elements of Writing Proficiency.
▸ Well, what are the elements?
▸ The elements are separated into three categories: 1) critical thinking, 2)
critical reading, and 3)effective writing. Each of these categories is
assigned a percentage weight in evaluating your essay. You can read
more about the elements here.
Important WPE Contacts
▸ Harry Makrinos, Director of Writing Assessment. Email:
Harry.Makrinos@umb.edu
▸ Laurie Marks, Assistant Director of Writing Assessment. Email:
Laurie.Marks@umb.edu
▸ Department Email: Writing.Proficiency@umb.edu. It is often
best to try this address first before emailing people directly.
▸ Department location: CC 1st floor, Room 1300.
▸ Department phone: 617-287-6330.