STREET ART
ONLINE DATING
NO SHOCKER
Help bring a revolutionary medium of artwork to Modern Space. page 4
Learn about the online dating website exclusively for San Diego students. page 5
SDSU holds off feisty Wichita State’s upset bid.
dailyaztec the
Monday, December 6, 2010
w w w. T h e D a i l y A z t e c . c o m
Vol. 96, Issue 53
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1913
INDEX:
opinion ... 3
TODAY @ STATE Hand Craft Faire Campanile Walkway 8 a.m. Mark Twain: An American Original
Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c
relationships ... 5
46.0
11.2
page 6
sports ... 6
classifieds ... 7
backpage ... 8
64.9 52.6
45.5
26.1 13.1
da ta
42.8
0
91.7
20
2010
9
need 1 course
ed b as
on
based on 2009 data
SARAH GRIECO MANAGING EDITOR
Once a student is admitted to San Diego State, they may hold the assumption that the only tests they will take will be in their classes — but that isn’t the case. All SDSU students have to take the Writing Placement Assessment and certain majors have required evaluations to complete before entering the program. The Daily Aztec has compiled a list of pass / fail rates for four different tests, one that is mandatory and three that are specific to certain programs. For more information, visit SDSU’s Student Testing, Assessment and Research website at sa.sdsu.edu/testofc/index.html.
Writing Placement Assessment COST: $45 MAJORS: All The WPA is a timed writing test that is mandatory for all SDSU students. According to the Department of Testing, “All undergraduates must demonstrate competency in writing skills at the upper division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree within the California State University System.” Students need to take this test before or during the semester they reach 60 units. If the WPA has not been taken by that time, students may not be permitted to register for future courses. Last year, more than 7,800 students took the WPA.
Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation COST: $25 MAJORS: Journalism, advertising and public relations Students pursuing a degree in the school of Journalism and Media Studies are evaluated on their editing skills with the GSP. There are 100 multiple-choice questions divided into three sections, which students have 90 minutes to answer. The school of Journalism and Media Studies uses this test to determine which students will be admitted into its majors, except for the media studies specialization. In Spring 2007, the passing score was changed from 75 to 80, which is when the percentage of failing grades increased more than 7 percent.
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
72.1
2006
79.5
2007
81.1
pass
2008
81.3
2009
need 2 courses
fail %
Precalculus Proficiency Assessment COST: $20 MAJORS: Astronomy, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, geological science, mathematics, physics, statistics, chemical physics, kinesiology and multiple engineering specializations This hour-long test is used for students who wish to take Math 150, a mandatory class for a multitude of math-based majors. However, students who passed the Advanced Placement test for Calculus AB and / or Calculus BC are exempt from this assessment, as their credits count toward Math 150.
California Government Exam COST: $20 MAJOR: none Students attending SDSU must satisfy an American Institutions Requirement that can be fulfilled by passing a pair of two specified classes described in the General Catalog; the list includes 20 pairs to choose from. However, those who wish to opt out of those pairs must take the California Government Exam. These students must have either passed an American history, politics or government Advanced Placement course, or have enrolled in classes that taught more than 100 years of U.S. history including specialization in the U.S. Constitution or American government.