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Instructions

Instructions for Taking the Writing Placement Assessment 

  • To take the WPA,  you will not need any materials except your computer, with the required test-taking software  Respondus  LockDown  Browser installed.  Instructions for installing the browser can be found here:  Respondus Lockdown Browser.  
  • You will need to watch  the  following  video  and complete the brief quiz (Lockdown Practice Exam) on how to use the browser. For questions, please review  the Loyola support guide.  
  • Should you  experience  technical issues with  the  Respondus  Lock Down  Browser, please contact the ITS Service Desk via phone by dialing 773.508.4487 or via email at  ITSServiceDesk@luc.edu   
  • Students  required  to take the WPA will be added to the WPA Sakai site. On Sakai, this can be accessed by viewing all sites.   
  • Before you take the exam, we highly suggest reading through  the Overview and Setting Up sections of the Sakai Site to ensure a smooth test-taking process.   
  • When you are ready to begin the assessment, go to the  Test & Quizzes  tool (in the left menu on desktop).   
  • You will be given the  writing  prompt instructions once you begin the assessment, and you will have 2 hours to finish.  Once you begin, you will need to finish the assessment—that is, you cannot leave the assessment and  return to  it later.   
  • If  after beginning, you cannot finish for any reason, you should email  WritingPlacement@luc.edu  to  discuss your options.   
  • Results. Your submission will be scored by multiple scorers administering the WPA to provide a balanced evaluation.  This process can take as long as 1 week, depending on the volume of tests being completed.  Once scoring is complete, your  advisor will let you know your placement during your initial meeting with them.  
  • NOTE ON AI: Students are not  permitted  to  utilize  an AI or virtual assistant tool to take  the WPA. These tools include but are not limited to  Grammarly, ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, etc. The  Respondus  Lock Down Browser will not allow these programs to be open while taking the WPA, and if graders  suspect that generative AI tools were used, you will be notified  and  required to retake the WPA.