ABSTRACT
The WAT, the successful completion of which is required of all students at all campuses of City University of New York (including City College) before they can begin their 60th credit, is not unlike writing tests at many other colleges and universities across the United States. When the test is used as a placement exam, students are given 50 minutes to respond to one of two impromptu prompts that are provided to them at the time of the exam. The papers are rated on a 6-point scale, with each paper receiving two readings. (The conditions described in this chapter were those that prevailed during the testing of the students in my study. In 1995, serious discussions were taking place throughout the City University of New York on the modification of the testing procedures.)
