FAQ about the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) for Incoming Frosh

Home General Education Requirements in Writing at UCSC FAQ about the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) for Incoming Frosh

Do I have to take the AWPE?

All students who enter UCSC as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). Those students from California high schools who have not satisfied the requirement by April 1 must take the systemwide Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) in May, at one of the testing centers throughout the state.

What if I was supposed to take the systemwide exam in May, but I was not able to appear for the exam?

Incoming frosh who were unable to take the systemwide exam in May (and who do not satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement by other means) will have the opportunity to take the make-up AWPE during UCSC's Welcome Week in September. (There are no summer writing placement exams at UCSC.) Exam date, time and locations are posted by September 1st in the Announcements section of the Writing Program's home page.

How do I arrange for exam accomodations for a disability?

Students needing exam accommodation should contact the Disability Resource Center at 459-2089 or by e-mail at drc@ucsc.edu.

I am confused about whether or not I have satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

To be excused from the AWPE exam, you must have one of the following:

• a score of 680 or more on the College Board SAT Reasoning Test (Writing section)
• a score of 30 on the ACT Combined English/Writing test
• a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement English Language or Literature exam
• a score of 5 or above on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A exam
• a score of 6 or above on the International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A exam
• a score of 680 or more on the SAT II Writing test (last administered in 2005)
• a grade of C or higher from an acceptable college course in English Composition

I am sure I have satisfied the ELWR by one of the means listed above, but I received a letter from UC telling me that I am required to take the exam. Do I have to take it?

If you have satisfied the ELWR by one of the means listed above, you are not required to take the exam. Be sure you have confirmed that the testing agency or school has sent its official score report or transcript to UCSC. For SAT or AP score release procedures, visit the testing agency Web site at www.collegeboard.com. For release procedures by telephone, contact the SAT Program at 866-756-7346 or the AP Program at 609-771-7300.

While I have not yet satisfied the ELWR, I am sure that I will satisfy it by other means before starting classes at UCSC. Do I have to take the May exam?

No, you may choose not to take the exam in May. (Be sure you have confirmed that the testing agency or school has sent its official score report or transcript to UCSC as soon as possible after you have completed the exam or class.) It is very important that you be in contact with an adviser from your UCSC college as soon as you know which UCSC college you're affiliated with (you'll get this information in late May) to find out how you can get enrolled in the appropriate level of core course. Note: if you don't take the May exam, and you end up not satisfying the ELWR by other means, you will need to take the Writing Placement Exam during UCSC's Welcome Week in September. Taking the exam in September will likely provide you with fewer options for enrollent in desired class times.

Should I take one of the AWPE exams administered at UCSC even if I am not required to do so?

Incoming frosh who have satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement are not invited to take the systemwide AWPE in May. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP English Language or Literature exam, or a score of 5 or above on the IB Higher Level English A exam, automatically satisfies both the ELWR and C1. These scores mean that you do not need to take the AWPE at UCSC. You will be placed in a section of your college Core course that satisfies C2 if you receive a passing grade.

What if I got a 3 on an English AP exam?

A score of 3 on the AP English Language or Literature exam satisfies the ELWR, but not C1. You may choose to take the AWPE at UCSC during Welcome Week in September. A score of 10 on the AWPE satisfies C1, the first of your lower division composition requirements, and will allow you to enroll in a section of your college Core course that satisfies C2, the second composition requirement, if you receive a passing grade in it.

Can I take the AWPE again at UCSC if I took the systemwide exam in May?

No. You may only take the exam once before starting classes at UCSC.