Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE)

The ability to read carefully, analyze what you’ve read, and write effective essays is an essential part of thriving at UC. All students entering UC as freshmen must fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR), either by demonstrating proficiency through qualifying test scores, UC- transferable college English composition courses or by passing the Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE). To learn more about this UC-wide requirement, please click here.

The Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) is conducted online and students are allowed up to 2.5 hours to complete it. Students will read a prose passage of approximately 1000 words that is of the level of difficulty encountered in beginning university courses; it may be drawn from any of a number of disciplines. After reading the passage, students write a thesis-driven essay in which they are typically asked to explain a central aspect of the passage and respond in a way that supports, challenges, or modifies the author’s argument. Students will also respond to a survey about their experiences with academic writing.

AWPE

Who needs to take the AWPE?

You need to take the AWPE if you entered UCLA as a Freshman (no matter where you come from) and you haven’t satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement in one of the following ways:

  • Score 680 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT
  • Achieve a score of 30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts or 63 or better on the ACT, English Plus Reading. The English Language Arts score represents your overall performance on the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the exam.
  • Score 3 or better on the AP English Language or Literature Examination or the AP Seminar examination or the AP Research examination
  • Score 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English
      • The IB Exam must be a Language A or A1 (native) exam in English to satisfy the ELWR. Language A2/B (2nd native/non-native) exams do not satisfy the ELWR. Click here to learn more.
  • Score 6 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Standard Level Examination in English
      • The IB Exam must be a Language A or A1 (native) exam in English to satisfy the ELWR. Language A2/B (2nd native/non-native) exams do not satisfy the ELWR. Click here to learn more.
  • Achieve a passing score on the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE)
  • Complete a UC transferable college course in English composition with a grade of C or
    better before enrolling at UCLA. Once you have enrolled at UCLA, you must complete
    your ELWR writing requirement by taking UCLA composition courses only.

Continuing students who have not yet taken the exam, have not already satisfied the ELWR, and have not been placed into a writing class must also take the AWPE.

Questions? Contact the Writing Programs Office.

What is the AWPE like and how is it evaluated?

The Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) is conducted online and students are allowed up to 2.5 hours to complete it. Students will read a prose passage of approximately 1000 words that is of the level of difficulty encountered in beginning university courses; it may be drawn from any of a number of disciplines. After reading the passage, students write a thesis-driven essay in which they are typically asked to explain a central aspect of the passage and respond in a way that supports, challenges, or modifies the author’s argument. Students will also respond to a survey about their experiences with academic writing.

To see a sample AWPE from several years ago, click here.

Each exam response is scored independently by two faculty readers who measure it against a 6-point scoring guide. Exam responses with composite scores (i.e., the sum of the two readers’ scores) of 8 and higher satisfy the UC Entry-Level Writing Requirement.

When should I take the AWPE?

If you are an incoming freshman and have not met the ELWR requirement in one of these ways listed under “Who needs to take the AWPE?”, you must take the AWPE before attending your New Student Orientation session. Otherwise, you will not be able to enroll in an English Composition course for the fall quarter. Keep in mind that you must complete the required English Composition course or sequence of courses with a grade of C or better as early as possible during your first year in residence. Further, if you are required to take more than one course, you may not take them concurrently—you must pass each course with a C or better before taking the next one. Learn more about UCLA’s undergraduate writing requirements here.

Upcoming Exam Dates and Times

FOR First-Year Students Entering in Fall 2023 & Continuing Students

Spring 2024

  • Friday, April 5th, 2024: Exam will be given from 10AM to 1PM | REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE at 12PM (noon) on Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Summer 2024

  • Monday, June 24th, 2024: 10-1pm (NSO 101, 102, 103)
  • Monday, July 15th, 2024, 10-1pm (NSO 104, 105, 106)
  • Wednesday, July 31st, 2024, 10-1pm (NSO 107, 108, 109)
  • Thursday, August 15th, 2024, 10-1pm (NSO 110, 111, 112)
How much does the exam cost?

You will be charged $104 unless your UC application fee has been waived. You will receive the charge on your BruinBill after you take the exam. We only charge the fee if you show up to take the exam and submit the exam.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Please contact us at wpfirstyearplacement@humnet.ucla.edu with any questions.

How can I request a testing accommodation?

If you need testing accommodations, you should register with UCLA’s Center for Accessible Education (CAE). Go to this link to learn how to apply for an accommodation.

NOTE: CAE takes up to 2 weeks to review requests, so please submit your registration to CAE in a timely manner.

AWPE Registration

How do I register for the exam?

If you intend to take the exam, register here.

If you need special accommodations because of a documented disability, please see the section titled “How can I request a testing accommodation?”

Exam Results

How and when will I be notified of my results?

Placement results are usually available approximately two weeks after the exam date.

You will find out your placement by looking at your DARS screen under the “Entry Level Writing/ESL Requirement.”

What does my AWPE placement mean?

If you placed into English Composition 1, click here to learn more about your placement.
If you placed into English Composition 1B, click here to learn more about your placement.
If you placed into English Composition 2, click here to learn more about your placement.
If you placed into English Composition 2i, click here to learn more about your placement.

Frequently Asked Questions