Entry Level Writing

What is the Entry Level Writing Requirement, and how may I satisfy it?

• Entry Level Writing is a University of California requirement intended to demonstrate basic proficiency in English and in writing about academic topics. For many students, it is the first requirement that they attempt to satisfy at Cal.
  
  
• You may be exempt from the Entry Level Writing Requirement based on your test scores or if you have successfully completed the Entry Level Writing exam.
  
  
• If you need to complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement, then you should plan to enroll in College Writing 1A as soon as possible (absolutely within your first year). Each student who is required to complete Entry Level Writing must take the exam before enrolling in College Writing 1A, which enables as many students as possible to "test out" of the requirement.
  
  
• College Writing 1A is a combination course that satisfies both the University Entry Level Writing and College of Letters & Science Reading and Composition 1A requirements. Because it is two courses in one, College Writing 1A has a high unit value (6 units) and so will form a very significant part of any course schedule.
  
  
• College Writing 1A needs be taken on a letter-graded basis - the minimum acceptable grade for completion of the Entry Level Writing/Reading and Composition 1A requirements is C-.
  
  
• If you are exempted from Entry Level Writing, then you can begin planning to complete the College of Letters and Science Reading and Composition 1A-1B requirement.
  
  
• For more information visit the UC system-wide site or UC Berkeley's Entry Level Writing site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What if I do not know my Entry Level Writing test scores before I have to enroll in classes through Tele-BEARS phase I?

A - This happens to a lot of students. If it happens to you, you should probably wait until your second semester to find out whether you will need to take College Writing or you can go right into a reading and composition (R&C) course.

Any course you take in writing will be valuable, though, as they all strengthen writing skills that will lead to better grades in the many courses that require essay exams or papers. And the sooner taken, the better!

Freshman Introduction

Reading & Composition