Argues that standardized tests can provide limited guidance, in conjunction with student writing samples, in the decision whether students should be exempted from freshmen writing courses. Suggests that students who write well but whose performance is unstable can be affected, positively or negatively, by exemption results. Suggests that students'…

Examines data from a survey of the kinds of writing students are required to do in a university, revealing that essay tests, research papers, and reports are the most common writing tasks. Discusses the curricular implications of the findings. (FL)