The Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) is no longer offered in the UC system. The information below is for those who took it prior to 2021. 

Instead of the AWPE, students complete Directed Self-Placement (DSP) to be placed in writing courses.

Students entering 2020 and after

UCSC students entering Fall 2020 and after, options to satisfy the ELWR requirement:

• All students must complete the UCSC Online Directed Self-Placement (DSP). This is held during the UC Santa Cruz Online Slug Orientation Course. 
  
  
  

Students enrolled 2018-2019

Accurate placement in your writing course (part of UCSC's required Academic Literacy Curriculum) generally depends on your AWPE score. Incoming frosh who have not satisfied the ELWR by the time classes start will be required to enroll in a writing course that will help them to satisfy the ELWR. See the information on the Writing Requirements Overview for details about which writing classes you will take.

Students enrolled 2006-2017

Like all UC campuses, UCSC uses the AWPE to determine whether a student has satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR), which is a first step in satisfying UCSC's lower-division writing requirements (C1 and C2). The AWPE also helps UCSC determine whether a student has satisfied the C1 writing requirement prior to starting first-year classes.

Accurate placement in your College Core course (part of UCSC's required first-year writing sequence) generally depends on your AWPE score. Incoming frosh who have not satisfied the ELWR by the time classes start will be placed in an ELWR-required College Core course section with an instructor qualified to help them with their writing. In ELWR-required course sections, students will assemble a portfolio that determines satisfaction of ELWR.