Promoting Student Success in Early College Credit Courses
Category: Student Learning
Instrument Overview
The College Work Readiness Assessment Plus (CWRA+) is a performance-based assessment that measures students’ critical thinking, problem solving, scientific and quantitative reasoning, and written communication. Developed by the Council for Aid to Education in the early 2000s, it is used to assess whether students can apply skills in real-world situations, not just recall content.
Students respond to realistic scenarios using written answers. They analyze information, evaluate evidence, and recommend solutions using provided materials such as reports, data tables, and articles. There is no single correct answer. Responses are scored based on the quality of reasoning and communication.
CWRA+ is designed for middle and high school students. It is used for diagnosing strengths, monitoring progress, and assessing readiness for college and careers. It aligns with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and broader goals for 21st-century skills.
Subscale scores are reported for subtests (performance task and selected-response questions) in six skill areas: Performance task, Analysis and problem solving, Writing effectiveness, Writing mechanics, Selected-response questions, Scientific and quantitative reasoning, Critical reading and evaluation, Critique an argument
Organization
Topic
Collection Category(ies)
American Institutes for Research® partnered with the Annenberg Institute at Brown University to collect instruments related to student well-being.
Content
Grades
6th Grade,
7th Grade,
8th Grade,
9th Grade,
10th Grade,
11th Grade,
12th Grade
Keywords
cognitive competencies
Languages
English
Respondent
Student
Administration Information
Length
One performance assessment task and four selected-response questions90 minutes (60 minutes for performance assessment task; 30 minutes for selected-response items)
Administration
Computer
Psychometrics (additional guidance)
Item Type
Multiple choice
Open response
