While students come to Midwestern State to study a variety of different subjects, there is one looming threat that all students seem to fear —  the Writing Proficiency Exam.

Before they can graduate, all students must pass either the WPE or must enroll in and pass Composition Skills, a course designed to teach students the basics of college-level writing, a course that students must pass before they can graduate.

Last year, 38 percent of students failed the exam — 6 percent more than in 2010-2011.

Professor of English and Writing Program Administrator Kristen Garrison said the exam is designed to help students rather than hurt them.

“We don’t want them having writing skills that will hurt them on the job market,” Garrison said.

According to Garrison, the WPE was created in the early 1980s when university administrators were getting negative reports about the writing skills of graduates, which only serves to weaken the power of a degree from MSU.

“That’s what prompted the administration and the board of regents at that time to approve this exam requirement,” Garrison said. “It’s supposed to be making sure that our students have the skills that they need to be successful.”

Although the exam was designed to help students, there is still considerable anxiety over the test, a test that comes with a $25 non-refundable fee.

Peter Fields, English professor and instructor of Composition Skills, said he feels the average student is probably not writing on a college level.

“Would that explain why people are hesitant about taking a test that saves them the money and the trouble of taking the course?” Fields asks.

Fields points to a lifelong lack of involvement in reading and writing to explain why students are struggling to pass the exam.

“Think about it this way: a 19-year-old has come this far without ever being held accountable for his or her writing skills,” Fields said.

Garrison said English professors are starting to require more in-class writing in the rhetoric and composition classes, English 1113 and 1123, to help students prepare for the WPE, but she said she still feels that Composition Skills is an important course for students to take.

“Students who have struggled for 20 to 21 years understanding some basic grammar come out of that class finally getting that rule, and that can really be a tremendous learning experience,” Garrison said.

Garrison said she regrets that the Composition Skills course has such a negative connotation with students because she has repeatedly seen students become stronger for taking the class.

“I know that students see it as a punishment but it’s simply a way to say hey, let’s get a little more instruction before you leave,” Garrison said.

Chelsee Arceneaux, a senior in chemistry, said she values Composition Skills because it has helped refresh her writing skills.

“As a chemistry major I don’t write a lot, just reports and stuff, so I actually value it,” Arceneaux said.

Composition Skills also offers non-native English speakers the opportunity to spend time working on their grammar before graduating.  Guadalupe Marquez, a junior in business, is one such student. She said she is thankful for the opportunity to sharpen her weakest skill before looking for a job.

“I’m not originally from here, so it’s really helping me a lot,” Marquez said.  “The teacher is really helpful about explaining the rules of grammar.”

Garrison agrees that Composition Skills can be a valuable resource to English learners.

“Anyone who chooses to come here to get a degree probably would be happier in the end if he or she left with stronger English-speaking skills,” Garrison said.