ELWR-Qualifying Test Scores

While UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions, test scores can be used for writing course placement after you accept your offer of admission. 

Students may meet the requirement in any of the following ways, prior to enrollment at UC San Diego:

• Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
• Score 30 or higher on the ACT, English Language Arts (ELA) 
• Score 63 or higher on the ACT, English plus Reading

Note: ACT English Language Arts (ELA) is a composite score of ACT English, Reading, and Writing. If you did not take ACT Writing, you can combine ACT English and Reading scores from the same exam sitting. However, ACT English alone cannot fulfill the ELWR, and ACT superscores will not be accepted. 

• Score 3 or higher on Advanced Placement Examination in English (Language or Literature)
• Score 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English A (Language & Literature or Literature) 
• Score 6 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level Examination in English A (Language & Literature or Literature)

All other tests cannot be used to fulfill the ELWR, including TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, Cambridge English exams, IGETC, IGCSE, GCE, Option International British, or other types of language assessments.

Students were recently asked if they wanted to submit their Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) English Language Arts scores for possible use for writing placement. While we may use the scores as one factor, the SBA has not been approved by the UC Office of the President as a method of ELWR satisfaction at this time.