There are many requirements you must meet to be a college student. For example, you must do well enough in your current classes to go on to the next set of classes, and you have to make sure that you are taking ones that go towards your degree. You are also required to find methods to pay for your education, which may involve student loans and/or part-time work. And, so you don't go crazy, it is also implicitly required that you hang out with your friends and have fun every once in a while.
All of this takes an awful lot of time and stress management, and just when you were feeling enough pressure, it's time to sign up to take the ISTEP-plus for Ball State students, the mandatory Writing Competency Exam.
Never before has a test been this valuable, because according to the academic program manual, "All students must take the Writing Competency Examination before graduation." No exceptions.
And you thought the History 150 final was tough? You've got two hours to compose three well-written pages about a topic that you may not have even thought about before, and if you don't pass, it's going to be more difficult for you to finish college. No pressure, though!
I'm making it sound much worse than it really is. I suppose that all employers would expect a college graduate to be able to put together a solid argument, and I'm sure that most people reading this would like to consider themselves capable of writing well. So besides the fact that it's just another test to take, why do so many students dislike it?
One student told me, "I don't think that two hours in a classroom writing about a random topic is the proper way to test one's writing competency." But so many universities across this land have them. In fact, some have math competency exams as well.
So instead of listing off reasons to like or dislike this unavoidable exam, seeing though I've taken it, I will instead offer my advice to any person thinking about signing up before next week's deadline:
1. Don't wait until the last semester to sign up. You're going to have enough to worry about those last few months, and you don't need the extra headache. Take it as early as possible.
2. Be careful when choosing the subject. Though they claim that "all topics are non-major specific," if your background isn't in business, I wouldn't suggest you sign up for the business one just because it more conveniently fits your schedule.
3. Practice a couple times before the real thing. There's no real way to prepare for this exam besides taking some time aside and answering one or more of the sample questions provided. It really helps.
4. Bring a dictionary and use it, especially if you have trouble spelling the phrase "Writing Competency Exam."
5. Calm down, breathe ... you're okay. Just pass this test and you're home free, buddy. No pressure, though. If you prepare, pace yourself, think in complete sentences and construct a strong enough argument, when your score is finally posted, you'll smile and let out a huge sigh of relief. You did it! Now all you have to do is get a job, make something of yourself and find eternal happiness. Good luck!
Write to Gregory at gttwiford@bsu.edu
visit http://www.twiff.com
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