Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE)
Update
The GWAR Placement Examination (GPE) is available both In-Person and On-line testing. Students that choose In-Person testing must comply with all Health Precautions. An On-line testing is being offered for students who choose not to come to campus. This option requires student's acceptance of online procedures which requires LockDown Browser & Monitor installation, and the Webcam must be turned on for the entire exam period. Please read the GPE Bulletin for more detailed information.
To qualify for a degree, certificate, or for advancement to candidacy for a master's degree, students under the 1977-78 or subsequent catalogs must meet the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
Per order of the Chancellor’s Office:
As of June 2022, GWAR is still required for undergraduates, but it is no longer required for graduate students.
New Requirement
CSULB passed a new writing policy in Fall 2012. The goal of the policy is to create a system whereby students with writing difficulties are identified early and get help. An additional goal is to promote writing across the curriculum. A new test was created: the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE).
To meet the GWAR, undergraduate students must first take the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement Placement Examination (GPE). The GPE will be used to place students into pathways that give them opportunities to achieve required learning outcomes. Please visit the GWAR website for more information. Undergraduate students must attempt the GPE when they have achieved between 30-50 cumulative units, and transfer students shall complete the GPE preferably before they enroll at CSULB, but no later than their first semester of enrollment. Otherwise, a registration hold will be placed on their records. Students with a GPE registration hold can file one appeal to have the hold temporarily removed. The appeal form given below must be completed and email to Testing@csulb.edu. Students submitting an appeal must also have registered for the GPE. To register for the GPE, please click on " online registration" on the upper right side of this page.
UPDATE:
Per order of the Chancellor’s Office, as of June 2022, GWAR is no longer required for Graduate students.
Score Report Request
Current students can obtain their GPE results on MyCSULB six to eight weeks after attempting the exam. CSULB students who are not currently enrolled and are not returning may need to request a score report. This form is given below; please complete it and email to Testing@csulb.edu.
Workshops & the GPE Scoring Guide
Free virtual GPE preparation workshops are available one to two weeks before each GPE administration. Pre-registration is not required. Both workshops are open to all students. In these workshops, instructors will review the GPE scoring guide and GPE Workshop Booklet so students can understand how their essays will be scored.
GPE Workshops Dates
Workshop Date: January 30, 2025
Workshop Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Workshop Zoom Meeting: GPE Workshop
Workshop Date: January 31, 2025
Workshop Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Workshop Zoom Meeting: GPE Workshop
Note: This workshop provides information for students that are scheduled to take the GPE On-Line. The first 30 mins (12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) of this workshop will include the required steps students need to follow to download the LockDown Browser & Monitor.
