Writing Competency Test Information

Free Preparation classes: Sessions include basic information about WCT test procedure, tips for preparing, overview of good essay structure, and documentation.

Spring Semester, 2008

Test 1
WCT packets available at all Metro campus locations on Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Test: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 (Independence campus)   3 PM & 6 PM
Prep class: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 (Independence) Noon

Test: Thursday, January 31, 2008 (Parkville campus)   3 PM & 6 PM
Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310
Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday January 24, 6:00 PM

Monday January 28, 12:30 PM

Monday January 28, 6:00 PM

Tuesday January 29, 1:00 PM

Tuesday January 29, 6:00 PM

Test 2
WCT packets available at all Kansas City Area campus locations on Monday, March 17, 2008

Test: Saturday, March 29, 2008 (Downtown campus)   10 AM
Prep class: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 (Downtown) Noon

Test: Thursday, March 27, 2008 (Parkville campus)   3 PM & 6 PM
Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310
Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday March 20, 6:00 PM

Monday March 24, 12:30 PM

Monday March 24, 6:00 PM

Tuesday March 25, 1:00 PM

Tuesday March 25, 6:00 PM

Call 816-584-6330 to register for a prep session

Read your packet before the session and bring it with you. Packets may be purchased at the Student Assistance Center in Norrington Hall on the Parkville campus, or at our Downtown or Independence location. The cost for the packet is $15. When you purchase the packet, you will be registered for the test. 

Summer Semester, 2008

WCT packets available at all Kansas City Area campus locations on Monday, June 9, 2008

Test: Saturday, June 14th, 2008 Independence Campus Center

            Prep class: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 (Independence) Noon

Test: Thursday, June 19, 2008 (Parkville Campus Center)

Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310

Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

 

      Thursday June 12, 6:00 PM

      Monday June 16, 12:30 PM

      Monday June 16, 6:00 PM

      Tuesday June 17, 1:00 PM

      Tuesday June 17, 6:00 PM

Read your packet before the session and bring it with you. Packets may be purchased at the Student Assistance Center in Norrington Hall on the Parkville campus, or at our Downtown or Independence location. The cost for the packet is $15. When you purchase the packet, you will be registered for the test. 

Fall Semester 2008

Test 1

WCT packets available at all Metro campus locations on Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Test:    Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 (Downtown Campus Center)

Prep class:  Saturday, September 13 (Downtown) Noon

Test:  Thursday, September 11th, 2008 (Parkville Campus Center)

Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310

Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday September 4, 6:00 PM

Monday September 8, 12:30 PM

Monday September 8, 6:00 PM

Tuesday September 9, 1:00 PM

Tuesday September 9, 6:00 PM

Test 2

WCT packets available at all Metro campus locations on Monday, October 20th, 2008

Test:    Tuesday, October 28, 2008 (Independence Campus Center)

Prep class:  Tuesday, October 21 (Independence) Noon

Test:  Thursday, October  30, 2008 (Parkville Campus Center)

Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310

Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday October 23, 6:00 PM

Monday October 27, 12:30 PM

Monday October 27, 6:00 PM

Tuesday October 28, 1:00 PM

Tuesday October 28, 6:00 PM

Read your packet before the session and bring it with you. Packets may be purchased at the Student Assistance Center in Norrington Hall on the Parkville campus, or at our Downtown or Independence location. The cost for the packet is $15. When you purchase the packet, you will be registered for the test.   

Spring  Semester 2009

Test 1

WCT packets available at all Metro campus locations on Monday, January 19, 2009

Test:    Saturday, January 31, 2009 (Downtown Campus Center)

Prep class:  Wednesday, January 21 (Downtown)

Test:  Thursday, January 29, 2009 (Parkville Campus Center)

Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday January 22, 6:00 PM

Monday January 26, 12:30 PM

Monday January 26, 6:00 PM

Tuesday January 27, 1:00 PM

Tuesday January 27, 6:00 PM

Test 2

WCT packets available at all Metro campus locations on Monday, March 16, 2009

Test:    Tuesday, March 24, 2009 (Independence Campus Center)

Prep class:  Tuesday, March 17 (Independence)

Test:  Thursday, March 26, 2009 (Parkville campus)

Test Location: Science Hall, Room 310
 

Prep classes on Parkville campus (Held in Testing Center, MA706):

Thursday March 19, 6:00 PM

Monday March 23, 12:30 PM

Monday March 23, 6:00 PM

Tuesday March 24, 1:00 PM

Tuesday March 24, 6:00 PM

Read your packet before the session and bring it with you. Packets may be purchased at the Student Assistance Center in Norrington Hall on the Parkville campus, or at our Downtown or Independence location. The cost for the packet is $15. When you purchase the packet, you will be registered for the test. 

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the test:

• Carefully read the information at the front of the packet which explains the procedures for the test and the standards for evaluation.
• Read all the articles in the packet. Use a highlighter to mark statistics, ideas, or quotes that seem important to you. This will also help you stay focused as you read.
• Make some notes about each article, including the main point or the author's opinion in each piece. The questions on the front page of your packet may help you focus your thinking.
• If possible, talk about the material with a friend who is also taking the test, or with a tutor from the ASC. Concentrate on what you think is important about the topic and the ideas discussed, and what conclusions you draw from it.
• Form an ARGUABLE thesis which you can state clearly in one sentence and support in about five or six well-rounded paragraphs.
• Generate an outline which shows the main points (3 or 4 of them) you want to make. Note sources where appropriate.
• Write a draft of your essay, from beginning to end [DO NOT write this draft in your packet or take a draft into the testing room!]
• Write out the proper APA or MLA form for the sources you have used in the draft. (It's OK to write these on a page in your packet.)
• Look at your essay, considering the evaluation standards discussed in the packet. You may want to meet with a tutor from the ASC to help you.

If you are satisfied with the draft:

1. Go back to your outline, making changes if needed to reflect the finished essay
2. Write the outline on one of the pages in your packet (Remember you cannot take a draft or any separate pages of prewriting or notes into the exam with you.)

If you are not satisfied with your draft, either continue refining it, or go back to step 5 and rework your thesis.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE DAY 0F THE EXAM TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR IT!

WCT Special Accommodations Policy

Effective AY 2002-03, this policy replaces the previous policy and procedure for WCT appeals.

Special accommodations are available to students who are having persistent problems passing the WCT. Special accommodations may include--but are not limited to--untimed testing and/or use of a computer and word processing software.

To request special accommodations, you must have failed the WCT at least twice and be able to demonstrate that you have participated in appropriate Park-based academic support programs.

You must submit a written request to the Academic Affairs office indicating (1) why you need special accommodations and (2) what precise accommodations you are requesting. If you claim specific disabilities, you should document them; the Academic Affairs office reserves the right to require such documentation before deciding on your request.

If your request is granted, it is your responsibility to arrange for testing under the specified conditions. Your test must be proctored, and the proctor must confirm that the testing procedures were those stipulated by the Academic Affairs office. You cannot, of course, be retested using a packet you have used previously.

NOTE: This policy is not intended to preclude students with documented disabilities from requesting special testing conditions the first time they take the WCT.

^ Back to the Top

---------------------------------

University Resources