ELWR-Fulfilling Test Scores

While UC does 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 ELWR in any of the following ways, prior to enrollment at UC San Diego. This is a UC-wide undergraduate policy that applies to all students admitted to UC campuses.

SAT

Score 680 or higher on the SAT, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing to fulfill the ELWR (Paper format, discontinued in March 2024.)

Note: Digital SAT Reading and Writing (taken on a computer) is NOT approved to fulfill the ELWR.

School Code: University of California: San Diego (4836)

ACT

Score 30 or higher on the ACT, English Language Arts (ELA, a composite score of ACT English, Reading, and Writing. If you did not take the ACT Writing exam, you do not have this score.)
Score 63 or higher on the ACT, English plus Reading (Must be from the same exam sitting; ACT superscores will not be accepted.)

Note: ACT English alone cannot be used to fulfill the ELWR.

School Code: University of California: San Diego (0459)

Advanced Placement (AP)

Score 3 or higher on AP exam in English Language and Composition.
Score 3 or higher on AP exam in English Literature and Composition.
Score 3 or higher on AP Seminar (effective for the FA23 cohort and onward).
Score 3 or higher on AP Research (effective for the FA23 cohort and onward).

School Code: University of California: San Diego (4836)

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Score 5 or higher on an IB Higher Level exam in English A Literature.
Score 5 or higher on an IB Higher Level exam in English A Language & Literature.

Score 6 or higher on an IB Standard Level exam in English A Literature.
Score 6 or higher on an IB Standard Level exam in English A Language & Literature.

Note: Language B cannot be used to fulfill the ELWR. Only official IB exam scores will be accepted. Predicted scores cannot fulfill the ELWR.

All other tests or language assessments CANNOT be used to fulfill the ELWR, including but not limited to TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SBA, Cambridge English exams, IGETC, IGCSE, GCE, Option International British, and Duolingo English Test. No exceptions.

If you do not have any qualifying test scores to fulfill the ELWR, you must complete the Writing Placement Process in summer, regardless of your primary language.

Updated 05/11/2026