Upper Division Writing Exam
The exam is given five times each year, always on a Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m.
The UDWE is comprised of two 60-minute essays (and one 10-minute break). It is designed to assure that your writing skills are at the upper-division level.
Any undergraduate student who has completed English 5A and 5B, or English 10 with a grade of C or better AND have completed 60 units may take the exam in order to meet the Upper Division Writing Skills requirement. In order to graduate on schedule, it is strongly recommended that this exam be taken soon after 60 units have been completed (and at least two semesters prior to graduation). The alternative is to successfully complete an upper division course with a "W" designation (some majors require the class). Graduate students should consult Graduate Studies regarding the graduate-level writing proficiency requirement.
SPECIAL NOTE: Students may take the exam a maximum of 2 times. If you fail the exam two times, then a "W" class is required to fulfill the writing requirement.
UDWE CREDIT: An enrolled California State University, Fresno undergraduate student (but not post-baccalaureate/graduate), may receive 1 unit of credit (English 100W) for passing this exam. The unit of credit is not automatic but may be requested by the examinee on the day of the test. In order to avoid extra fees, a student must be enrolled at Fresno State the semester the unit of credit is to be posted. If the proper form is completed on the day of the test, the unit will be posted to a student's file 1) the registration cycle of the exam (provided the add/drop period has not ended before the scores are posted), OR 2) the registration cycle following the one in which the UDWE passed. Also, as with all other credits added to a program of study, if the additional unit moves a student from one fee category to another, the student will be billed accordingly. Nonresident students will be billed nonresident tuition for the additional unit.
UDWE PASSING SCORE: 10-12