Writing Center  Tags: writing_center writing tutoring writing_intensive  

Students who want help preparing for the College Writing Exam (CWE) can make an appointment by emailing the Writing Center.

Though we recommend making an appointment to make the best use of your time, walk-in sessions are available if a tutor is free.  To guarantee that a tutor is available and avoid waiting, you should make an appointment at least one day in advance. 

Any student who wants to review their failed exam with a tutor  must make an appointment as the Writing Center will need at least 24 hours to obtain a copy of your exam.

There are a number of things you can do to prepare for this exam. Perhaps the most important thing is to prepare early. Doing one of these suggested preparation strategies will make a differenec - doing more than one is far more effective.

1. Attend some CWE workshops. Professors will review what the test asks, how to prepare your essay and explain how the test is evaluated. Click the TEST AND WORKSHOP DATES tab above to see the workshop dates.
2. PRACTICE! Practice is especially important if more than one semester has passed since the completion of Composition II. There are sample topics and essays available here online.
3. Have someone review your practice essays - make an appointment with a tutor from the Writing Center. They can review your essay if you have taken the exam and failed. They can also work with you to prepare for to take the CWE for the first time. Email cwe_prep@pccc.edu, call 973-684-5601, or come to the Writing Center. We are located in the Paterson campus library.
4. Register for the one credit CWE Writing Intensive course (EN117). This course lasts only eight weeks. It is offered at least twice each semester. The final exam for this course is the CWE itself and will be offered on a special date NOT shown on the regular schedule and is only for those who have taken the course.
5. Use PCCC's free eTutoring. You can submit a sample CWE essay to an eTutor and get feedback (up to 3 drafts) on how to improve your writing.

The following handouts contain information designed to help students with the CWE.