Entry Level Writing Requirement

This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu.

All students who will enter the University of California as freshmen must demonstrate their command of the English language by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Fulfillment of this requirement is also a prerequisite to enrollment in all reading and composition courses at UC Berkeley. 

Students may fulfill that requirement by passing the Analytical Writing Placement Examination.

High school students planning to attend a UC campus may take the Analytical Writing Placement Examination in May of their senior year.

Admitted students who have not yet fulfilled the requirement may take the exam their first semester at Berkeley.

The UC Entry Level Writing Requirement website provides information on how to fulfill the requirement. In addition, it provides the examination scoring guide, sample past examinations, and sample student essays.

The requirement may also be met by earning a grade of C or higher in an acceptable composition course offered at Berkeley. The requirement may also be met by earning a grade of C or higher in an acceptable composition course offered at Berkeley.

COLWRIT N1Writing in the University
COLWRIT N1AAccelerated Reading and Composition
COLWRIT R1AAccelerated Reading and Composition
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