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Entry-Level Writing Requirement

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The Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a University of California reading and writing proficiency requirement that all first-year students must satisfy. This requirement is not an admissions requirement. The ELWR must be satisfied either before beginning courses on a UC campus or during the first year of enrollment. For information about individual high schools’ success rates in preparing their students to satisfy the ELWR, please go to the UC Office of the President website

There are a variety of ways incoming students can satisfy the ELWR both before or after they officially matriculate (enroll full-time).

Ways to Satisfy ELWR

Students may satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement by any one of the following ways:

Pathway to Satisfy the ELWR: Test Score or Result Required:
ACT: English Language Arts section 30 or better
ACT: English + Reading sections 63 or better
ACT: Combined English/Writing
(exam last administered June 2015)
30 or better
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
(Note: The digital SAT Reading and Writing section score has not been approved to meet the ELWR)
680 or better
AP English: Language and Composition 3 or above
AP English: Literature and Composition 3 or above
AP Seminar 3 or above
AP Research 3 or above
IB English: Language & Literature (Higher Level) 5 or above
IB English: Language & Literature (Standard Level) 6 or above
IB English: Literature (Higher Level) 5 or above
IB English: Literature (Standard Level) 6 or above
UCR Writing Placement Process Placement into WRIT 010
Transferable English Composition course offered by a college or university
(Course must be completed before a student matriculates to UCR).
Grade of C or better

 

Students who have not satisfied the ELWR before beginning as full-time students must enroll in one of UCR’s Entry-Level Writing courses during their first quarter on campus. The Director of the University Writing Program determines the appropriate course based on the students' WPP exams, and placements are made available to students electronically.

  1. Complete with a C or better one of the following summer courses offered on the UCR campus before beginning classes in the fall.
    • A seven-week, five-unit WRIT007 course at UCR from July through September.
    • A seven-week, ten-unit Highlander Early Start Academy program at UCR from July through September; Students will take Writing 7, an Oral Communication course, and an Early Start Seminar.
    Please see the UCR summer session website  for information about all summer courses at UCR, days and times of sections, and instructions for enrollment.
  2. Complete with a grade of C or better an Entry-Level Writing Requirement course during the summer at another UC campus.  Check UC campus' home pages for summer school information.
  3. Complete with a grade of C or better a 4 quarter-unit or 3 semester-unit college-level course in English composition, taken at another institution before the student enters UCR, and judged acceptable by the Office of Admissions. To find out whether a course at your local campus is acceptable, go to www.assist.org. Passing this course typically satisfies both the ELWR and the WRIT 010 requirements. Students who choose this option should have reason to believe they can pass an advanced writing course. This option is not available to students after they begin at UCR as full-time students.

UCR's Writing Placement Process (WPP)

Understanding the WPP

The Writing Placement Process (WPP) determines if entering students are prepared for the reading and writing levels expected to satisfy the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).  UCR strongly encourages all incoming students to satisfy the ELWR before matriculating (enrolling full-time) to UCR.

Who Should Complete the WPP

Incoming UCR freshmen who have not yet satisfied the ELWR through other UC-approved methods must complete the WPP diagnostic essay. The diagnostic essay is only available to students who have officially completed their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR).

When to Complete the WPP Diagnostic Essay

Students must complete the online WPP Diagnostic Essay during one of the test dates in the months leading up to the fall quarter (preferably in May or June).  Completing the WPP in May or June ensures that the essay is reviewed and students are placed in the writing course that will best support their development. In addition, these placements results will be ready in time for students to register for their fall quarter classes during the Highlander Advising Support and Registration session.

WPP Results

Diagnostic Essay Outcomes:

UCR deeply cares about students writing and skills. Therefore, WPP results at UCR reflect the decision of a minimum of two readers. The student will receive their placement in one of the following courses:

  • Writing 010: The student officially satisfies the ELWR and is eligible to enroll in the first course of the English Composition breadth requirement sequence (Writing 10 - Academic Writing).
  • Writing 001, 003, 005, or 007: The student does not satisfy ELWR and is placed in one of these specifically designed, foundational writing courses intended to bolster skill development in writing and reading.

Receiving Results:

Results will be sent directly to each student's official UCR email address along with instructions for the next steps in the registration process. All WPP Diagnostic Essay results are final; essay will be not be re-evaluated.

Fees and Waivers

The fee for the Writing Placement Process is $100. This charge will be automatically added to the student's account after they complete the diagnostic essay. Students who received a fee waiver for the UC Application Fee will automatically receive a fee waiver for the WPP and will not receive the $100 charge on their account.


More information regarding the UC elwr


Writing Placement Process Rubric - 2026

Introducing the 2026 WPP Rubric, redesigned for improved accessibility and transparency regarding placement decisions. Each diagnostic is independently reviewed by at least two readers.  The previous scoring mechanism has been replaced by this new guide, which streamlines the process by focusing entirely on placement outcomes.
2026 WPP Rubric


Sample Prompt - 2026 WPP

You will be given a prose passage to read carefully. The passage is followed by a question or topic related to the prose passage but intended to give you the opportunity to express your own opinions and ideas. Respond to the topic by writing an essay that is controlled by a central idea and is specifically developed.

You will have two hours to read the passage and complete your essay.  The question requires no specialized knowledge. We are interested in your thoughts on the issue you write about and in your presentation and expression of them. Your essay will be evaluated on the basis of your ability to develop your central idea, to express yourself clearly, and to use the conventions of written English.

Sample Prompt

 

Test Dates

Students who have not satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement must complete the WPP diagnostic essay exam.

2026-2027 Academic Year

Test Dates: 

Test Date: Exam Start Time: Exam Location: Registration Link Registration Closes
Saturday, May 16, 2026 10:00 AM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 05/13/2026
Saturday, May 16, 2026 5:00 PM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 05/13/2026
Sunday, May 17, 2026 10:00 AM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 05/13/2026
Sunday, May 17, 2026 5:00 PM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 05/13/2026
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 10:00 AM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/14/2026
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 5:00 PM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/14/2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026 10:00 AM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/16/2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026 5:00 PM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/16/2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026 10:00 AM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/16/2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026 5:00 PM Online (Canvas/eLearn) Register 06/16/2026

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Exam times are based on the Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
  • Registration closes at 11:59 PM

It is necessary to register for the Writing Placement Process: 

  • Register for the WPP diagnostic essay exam.
    • Select a test date listed in the chart above.
    • The registration link (when available) will take you to a Qualtrics survey form.
  • Prepare the necessary materials:
    • A computer or laptop
    • Webcam and microphone
    • ​​​Photo ID
      • ie. Driver's license, passport, R'Card, High School photo ID, etc.
    • Know your UCR NetID
    • Prepare your exam space:
      • A quiet place where you will not be interrupted
      • Two hours to complete the exam
  • BE ON TIME! Students will not get additional time if they begin the exam after the scheduled start time.
  • Students requesting accommodations for the exam should contact  the Student Disability Resource Center.
    • Please submit accommodation requests to the SDRC at least 3 weeks before your preferred test date.
    • Only approved accommodations from the SDRC can be applied to the Writing Placement Process.

Questions about the Writing Placement Process should be addressed to the University Writing Program: uwp@ucr.edu.

 

Time Limit

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If students have not satisfied the requirement upon entrance as full-time students, they must satisfy the ELWR within three quarters of full-time enrollment.

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Students who have not satisfied the ELWR after three quarters of university residence (three quarters of enrollment during the regular academic year) are not normally eligible to enroll for a fourth quarter at the University of California.

elwr-books

For students placed in WRIT001 (formerly BSWT001), WRIT003, or WRIT005 (formerly BSWT003), this three-quarter residence rule begins after satisfactory completion of WRIT005 or the start of their fourth quarter of regular enrollment at UCR, whichever comes first.

FAQ

  • A: By doing so, students can begin their first quarter enrolled in the required English Composition sequence (WRIT 010, 020, 030), thus taking a step toward finishing their undergraduate degrees within four years. There are a variety of ways to satisfy the ELWR before beginning in the fall, several of which are summer opportunities.

  • A: Testing early gives students placement information in ample time for them to exercise the option of enrolling in summer school if their results are unsatisfactory. It also helps ensure that all students will be able to register for their fall quarter courses when they attend the Highlander Advising Support and Registration session.

  • A: Yes. We strongly encourage any student who has not officially satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement to complete the Writing Placement Process in May or June.  While the University Writing Program typically offers a couple additional exam administrations later in the summer (typically in July, August and September), these exams are primarily designed as make-up test dates.  Students will enroll in fall quarter classes when they attend the Highlander Advising Support and Registration session, and will be unable to enroll in the appropriate writing course without official placement information in the system.

  • A: If you did not place into Writing 10 after completing the May or June WPP, you can enroll in an ELWR course during Summer Session E. Session E is deliberately scheduled after most of the Highlander Orientation sessions to accommodate students who decide, as a result of their Orientation experience, to satisfy the writing requirement during the summer.  Incoming students are encouraged to consider participating in the Highlander Early Start Academy.

  • A: The Writing Placement Process (WPP) diagnostic essay exam is designed to match you to the course that will best address your needs in writing. The WPP is reviewed by two or more readers who have significant placement experience and have undergone extensive training. If you would like to appeal the placement decision, you may do so by clicking this link to submit the formal request. Appealing the placement decision involves filling out a survey, and, possibly, submitting a formal letter of appeal and participating in an interview. Appeals should be submitted within three weeks of a student receiving the placement decision notification email.

     

  • A: Register online at orientation.ucr.edu.

  • A: If you are considering taking a course that will satisfy the ELWR and earn transfer units for WRIT 010, use www.assist.org to identify these courses at community colleges and CSU campuses. For approved courses from other colleges or universities, check with the UCR Office of Undergraduate Admissions. 

  • A: If the University has not received evidence that you have passed the AP exam, you will receive information about taking the WPP in May or June. We recommend that you take the exam on one of these test dates to increase your chances of passing the Entry-Level Writing Requirement. A passing score on either exam (the AP or the WPP) is enough to satisfy the writing requirement; a score of 3 or better on the AP Language and Composition or the AP Literature and Composition examination will also enable you to be exempted from one or two of the required Freshman Composition courses (WRIT 010, WRIT 020).  If you do not earn a passing score on the AP English exam and have not satisfied the ELWR in one of the other methods, you will need to complete the WPP.  Completing the WPP if you have not already earned a passing score on the AP English exam will ensure that you will be able to register for the appropriate classes during the Highlander Advising Support and Registration session.   

  • A: Yes, there is a $100 fee for the Writing Placement Process (WPP). The fee will be automatically added to your student account after you complete the diagnostic essay exam. This fee will be waived if you have already received a waiver of your UC application fees.

  • A: You will not have satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement and will need to repeat the course in the following quarter. Register for the same Writing course again via R'Web during open enrollment. R'Web can be accessed on the web at https://rweb.ucr.edu.

  • A: Check your grades on R'Web. You will be able to see if you passed your Writing course with a grade of “C” or above. If you receive a “C” or above in WRIT 007, you will have fulfilled the Entry-Level Writing Requirement and can register for the first course in the Freshman series of English Courses, WRIT 010 (Academic Writing). If you received a “C-“ or lower as a grade in the WRIT 007 course, you will need to repeat the course to try to attain a “C” or above.

  • A: You must repeat the course. Students who place into WRIT 007 have three quarters of academic residence to satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement.  Students who place into WRIT 001, 003, or 005 may have up to three additional quarters to satisfy the ELWR. After this time, students who have not satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement are not typically allowed to register for a fourth quarter academic quarter.

  • A: Yes, full-time students eligible for financial aid will have their fees paid in accordance with their financial aid package allocations for the repetition of WRIT 007.

  • A: Students should contact their academic advisor. 

    Information about College Advising offices:

  • A: First year UCR students have their first three (3) quarters to earn a satisfactory grade in WRIT 007. Students who place into WRIT 001, 003, or 005 have up to three (3) additional quarters to earn a satisfactory grade in WRIT 007. Students who have not fulfilled the Entry-Level Writing Requirement by the end of this time period will not be allowed to register in courses for the following (fourth) quarter. No extra fees will be charged for repeating the course during a student’s first three quarters of enrollment.

  • A: Talk with your instructor. Make use of office hours. You can also go to the UCR Academic Resource Center. The ARC provides assistance through an English “drop-in” tutoring program. UCR students are available to help you with your work. To check the drop-in tutoring hours, please consult the ARC website. The ARC website also explains the many programs offered to assist students. They are there to help you.

  • A: You can stop by the Highlander One-Stop Shop (HOSS), First Floor, Student Services Building, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, or call the office during these hours at 951-827-3878. For the UCR policy on remedial and repeated courses, see the Financial Aid website at www.finaid.ucr.edu and select “Maintaining Eligibility.”

    The Financial Aid office assists students with meeting educational expenses that cannot be met from personal resources. For more information on grants, loans, employment, scholarships and corresponding application deadlines, go to finaid.ucr.edu or e-mail finaid@ucr.edu.