This paper describes the impact of the Regents' Test, an examination which all Georgia college students must pass before they receive their diplomas. The examination is designed to assess writing ability; some of the factors evaluated are adequate paragraph development, logic, effective and varied sentence structure, and precise diction. Procedures used to administer and grade the test are described. Beneficial results of the statewide standard include clearer delineation of teaching responsibilities, better organization of instructional practices, better student writing, improvement in educational accountability, and a greater degree of literacy. More equivocal results of testing include concerned faculty hiring practices, emphasis on mechanical rather than creative expression, and changes in grading practices and curriculum design as a result of the omnipresence of the testing requirement. (KS)