Upper Division Composition Exam Information
The examination to challenge the upper-division composition requirement asks
you to read a short passage on a topic of general interest and to write an expository
essay responding to it in one hour and 30 minutes. Last year, for example, examinees
responded to readings about trust among Americans, pedestrian cell phone use, and public lying.
If you decide to take this challenge exam, you should do so as soon as you have accumulated 70 units. Do not wait until your senior year. If you do not pass, you may make an appointment with a Composition Examination Counselor to find out why. Then, you have the opportunity to take the exam one more time.
When
October 24, 2009, January
30, 2010, and April 24, 2010
8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or 2:30 p.m.
Where
194 Chemistry
Sign-Up
Register on line here from the Monday before each exam date until Friday at noon or until the exam slots are filled.
What to Bring to the Exam
- Analytical Writing Placement Exam/Upper-Division Composition Exam form - not a Blue Book
(purchase form at the UCD Bookstore - Hours: M-F 8:30-6:00, Sat. 12-5) - Photo ID
- Pen
- (No dictionary or other reference materials)
Preparation
Since passing the examination fulfills the upper-division composition requirement, you must demonstrate advanced writing skills--beyond technical correctness to effective development and support of an analytic argument that responds directly to the question and the reading passage. There is no quick way to develop such mastery of writing skills. To prepare for the exam, you might review principles of essay organization, paragraph development, and sentence construction in a good writing handbook, such as The Random House Handbook by Frederick Crews, and practice writing essays responding to brief articles of general interest. You may also attend a workshop on "Strategies for In-Class Writing" and "Writing Practice and Advice" through the Learning Skills Center (2205 Dutton Hall/752-2013). On-line writing resources are listed below.
Scoring
Experienced writing instructors will score the exams, assessing focus on the topic question, thesis, organization, development of ideas, logic, use of specific and appropriate evidence, grammar, usage, and sentence structure.
Results
You (and the dean of your college) will be notified of the results by e-mail approximately two weeks after the examination date.
Do not take this exam if you are currently enrolled in a course that satisfies the upper-division composition requirement for your college, as exam results will not be available until after the final add/drop deadline.
For information about your college's composition requirement visit /program-information/college-writing-requirements see the UCD General Catalog, or consult your dean's office.
Students with disabilities must contact the Disability Resource Center (530-752-3184) and Sally Gunter (530-752-0450 or swgunter@ucdavis.edu). We recommend that you arrange accommodations at least two weeks in advance of the exam date.
Useful Links
- Purdue University on "Writing Essay Exams" and "Strategies for Improving Sentence Clarity"
- University of North Carolina on "Tips on Essay Exams" and "The Path to Good Paragraph Development"
Questions
Contact Sally Gunter116 Voorhies
(530) 752 - 0450
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