Online Writing Assessment 2025-2026
Writing skills are essential for your academic success at Brandeis. To give us a sense of where you currently are as a writer, we have created an Online Writing Assessment.
All incoming students except Myra Kraft Achievers Program scholars and Humanities Fellows must complete the assessment. This includes transfer students, students with AP credits, and students who are starting in the spring 2026 semester.
The assessment, which consists of writing a short essay, will allow us to determine your writing skills as we prepare our first-year writing courses for next year. We will review your essay and notify you by email regarding your placement in either the Composition Seminar or the First Year Seminar.
What to Expect
Before you take the Online Writing Assessment, please complete the following:
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Read all the instructions on this page. This will help you complete the assessment with fewer complications.
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Locate your 8-digit Student ID in DEIS Connect.
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Create a Brandeis Login. Enrollment in the assessment Moodle Communities course may take up to five hours after the activation of your account. Once this process is complete, you will be able to access the assessment on Moodle Communities. If you require any setting up your Brandeis Account, contact the Technology Help Desk at 781-736-4357 or help@brandeis.edu.
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Using your Brandeis username and password, log into Moodle Communities. Look for the link to Writing Assessment 2025.
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The assessment consists of one short essay which does not require any prior knowledge. You will have 45 minutes to complete it.
- If you need accommodations for the assessment, please contact the University Writing Program at UWP@brandeis.edu. For disability accommodations in other areas of your Brandeis experience, email Student Accessibility Support at access@brandeis.edu.
Precautions to Take
Make sure you allow enough time before you begin. Once you begin the assessment, the timer starts and will not pause even if the window is minimized or closed. If you accidentally close the window, log back into Moodle Communities immediately to reduce time loss.
Results of the Assessment
Your assessment will be reviewed by the University Writing Program, and you will be informed of your placement in early June.
Contact
For technical questions, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 781-736-4357 or help@brandeis.edu. Please note that the Help Desk cannot expedite the creation of your Brandeis login under any circumstances.
For questions about the content of the assessment and/or results, please contact uwp@brandeis.edu.