Understanding WGU Objective Assessments
WGU Objective Assessments are proctored exams that test your knowledge of course material through multiple-choice and other question formats. Unlike traditional universities where you have homework, quizzes, and exams throughout a semester, WGU compresses assessment into a single exam per course (for OA courses). This means your entire course grade depends on one test performance, which can feel high-pressure.
OAs are taken through online proctoring services like ProctorU or Examity. You schedule the exam when you feel ready, take it from home with a webcam and microphone, and receive your results shortly after completion. The pass/fail threshold is set by WGU, and you need to demonstrate competency across all assessed areas.
Step 1: Master the Pre-Assessment
Every OA course at WGU includes a pre-assessment that mirrors the format and content of the actual OA. This is your most valuable study tool. Take the pre-assessment early in your course to identify your strengths and weaknesses. WGU provides a competency report after the pre-assessment that breaks down your performance by topic area.
Focus your study time on the areas where you scored lowest on the pre-assessment. Many students make the mistake of studying everything equally rather than targeting weak areas. If you scored well in 3 out of 4 competency areas, spend 80% of your remaining study time on that one weak area.
Pro tip: Take the pre-assessment twice if needed. Your first attempt shows you the question types and content areas. Review your weak areas, then take it again to verify improvement. Some students pass the pre-assessment and go straight to the OA.
Step 2: Use Active Study Techniques
Passive reading of course materials is the least effective study method. Instead, use active techniques that force your brain to retrieve and apply information. Create flashcards for key terms and concepts using Quizlet or Anki. Practice explaining concepts out loud as if teaching someone else. Write summary notes in your own words rather than copying text. Work through practice problems rather than just reading examples.
For IT courses with technical content, hands-on practice is essential. Set up virtual labs, practice configurations, and work through scenarios. For business and management courses, focus on understanding frameworks and being able to apply them to scenarios rather than memorizing definitions.
Study in focused 25-50 minute sessions (Pomodoro technique) rather than marathon sessions. Your brain consolidates learning during breaks and sleep, so spaced repetition over several days is more effective than cramming the night before.
Step 3: Exam Day Strategies
On exam day, set up your testing environment early. Clear your desk, ensure good lighting, test your webcam and microphone, close all other programs, and have your government-issued ID ready. ProctorU and Examity require a room scan before the exam begins.
During the exam, read each question carefully and eliminate obviously wrong answers first. For questions you are unsure about, flag them and move on rather than spending too much time. Many students find that later questions trigger recall that helps with earlier flagged questions. Manage your time — if the exam has 70 questions and a 90-minute time limit, you have about 1.3 minutes per question.
Do not second-guess yourself excessively. Research shows that your first instinct is usually correct unless you have a specific reason to change your answer. Trust your preparation and move through the exam with confidence.
When to Get Professional Help
If you have taken the pre-assessment multiple times and are still not reaching the competency threshold, it may be time to seek additional help. ExamBlaze WGU specialists can provide targeted tutoring on specific competency areas, or if you prefer, our experts can take the OA for you with a guaranteed 90%+ score.
Our WGU course-specific pages provide detailed information about individual courses including key topics, study tips, and common challenges. For courses with Performance Assessments (PAs), our academic writing specialists produce rubric-aligned papers that consistently earn passing evaluations.
Remember, the goal of your WGU degree is to demonstrate competency and advance your career. Whether you study independently or get expert assistance, what matters is earning your degree and moving forward professionally.