Placement

All students who have not previously satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) must take the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) prior to enrollment at UC San Diego. Students who do not pass the AWPE are instructed to enroll immediately in the ELWR course in which they are placed (either ELWR 1 or ELWR 2A) during their first quarter at UCSD. If a student’s AWPE test indicates a need for extended English language instruction, they will be placed in ELWR 2A, the first of a two-quarter course designed to offer students more time to develop their English language skills and critical thinking and writing abilities.

Students are placed into ELWR 1 or ELWR 2A based on AWPE results. Analytical Writing instructors conduct diagnostics in first week to make sure students are appropriately placed (1 or 2A). Students should take their placement seriously and enroll as quickly as possible to ensure they have multiple chances to take the course if needed. Our courses are designed to help students practice skills that they need to develop in order to write a passing portfolio. Some students will need to go through the process more than once to pass, so delaying enrollment is not in the student’s best interest.