San José State University is required by the California State University (CSU) academic policy to assess competency in written communication. The WST was implemented in order to comply with mandated policy.
Passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) is required for enrollment in all SJSU Studies (formerly Advanced General Education classes), including Writing Workshop (100W) classes.
The WST requirement cannot be waived by instructors. Even if an instructor gives verbal authorization to take a SJSU Studies course that requires the WST as a pre-requisite, without having passed the WST you will be unable to enroll in the course through the admission process. If for some reason enrollment is successful without having passed the WST first, you may be dropped or retroactively dropped at any time by Enrollment Services.
The combination of the WST and either exemption level performance on the WST for some majors or passage of 100W is a graduation requirement that San José State University must legally enforce.
The WST information bulletin, test dates, and registration materials may be obtained from the Testing Office in IS (Industrial Studies), Rm 228. For additional information, visit the Testing website: https://testing.sjsu.edu/ or (408) 924-5980.
Information on Alternative Demonstration of Writing Competency can be found at the Undergraduate Studies Office website: http://www.sjsu.edu/ugs/students/WST/
Related Information
Did you know?
Through its eight colleges, the university offers 69 bachelor's degrees with 81 concentrations
and 65 master's degrees with 29 concentrations, specialized and certificate programs.
Contact Information
Learning Assistance Resource Center
One Washington Square San José, CA 95192-0198 408-924-2587 Located: SSC 600