B.A.B.A.: Writing Skills Assessment

All applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration are required to take the Writing Skills Assessment (WSA) to be considered for admission to the Milgard School of Business. The WSA must be completed by the application priority date of the quarter admission is sought. The test, which is used at the three campuses of the University of Washington, assesses communication and critical thinking skills. The ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely in writing is a key skill for success in college and your career.

Test Format

The test lasts for 90 minutes. During that time you are required to plan and write two essays: one based on a statement (called the "position task") and one based on a short workplace scenario (called the "persuasion task"). No special business knowledge is required or expected for either writing task.

The test is given in a proctored setting in which no dictionaries or calculators are allowed. Communication specialists score each of the essays on a six-point scale, and the results are averaged. Evaluation is based on the degree to which each essay:

• addresses the writing task effectively and insightfully, and where appropriate, provides a well-reasoned solution that displays analysis of data (numerical or verbal);
• is well organized, with a clear overall strategy;
• is fully developed, with pertinent support for ideas presented;
• is appropriate in style and tone for the intended reader; and
• displays consistent facility with written English (grammar, syntax, vocabulary, punctuation, and spelling).

Preparing for the Test

For additional information on the WSA and suggestions for preparing for the test see the WSA Information Sheet .

Schedule and Voiding Policy

The WSA test dates for future quarter admission are available on the registration page. The test can be taken only once per application period.

Students may void their WSA by choosing not to have the test scored and registering to take it again. The details of the Void Policy are as follows:

• Students will be allowed to void the WSA only once per academic year.
• Students may NOT void only one part of the two-part test, voiding will apply to both the Persuasion and Position tasks.
• Once the test is voided, it will not be scored and cannot be used for admission purposes.
• Students who void their first test will NOT receive a refund and will have to pay the full registration fee again for their next test.
• Students will have to declare their intent to void the test before they depart the room in which the test was proctored. They can do so at the time the tests are collected and not before.

Cost and Payment

There is a non-refundable $30.00 fee to register for the test. Please send a check or money order, payable to UW Tacoma, to the following address:

Milgard School of Business

ATTN: WSA Registration

1900 Commerce Street, Box 358420

Tacoma, WA 98402-3100

Please include your name and the testing session that you have registered for on your check or money order.

If you want to pay in cash or with a debit or credit card, payment can be made at the UW Tacoma cashier in MAT 354N before the test date. Please retain the receipt and bring it to the test.

Cash and debit or credit cards are NOT accepted in the Business Office or at the assessment.

We will e-mail you a receipt and additional information when we receive your $30.00 payment. We cannot guarantee your registration if you have not paid in advance.

Disability Accommodations

If you require disability accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services at 253-692-4501 or e-mail dssuwt@u.washington.edu, preferably at least 10 days in advance of the test date. Please be aware that you should be prepared to provide documentation of your disability in order to receive academic or testing accommodations.

Registration

If you are registering for a test date on our campus, please register on-line here.

If you are registering for a test date on either the Seattle or Bothell campus, please contact the Business school on that campus directly about registering.

If you are registering for an Out-Of-State test, please fill out the Registration Form and send with the appropriate fee to the address listed on the form.

Forms and Examples

• UW Tacoma WSA Registration Form
• Out-of-State WSA Registration Form
• WSA Information Sheet (describes the WSA and gives examples)

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