Is the directed self-placement process a writing exam?
No, it is not an exam. UCSC’s DSP process asks you to review real Writing Program course materials and reflect on how ready you are to meet the expectations of our courses. You will answer survey questions about these materials, and your answers will be used to generate a course recommendation for you. Note that you won’t choose your writing course at the end of this survey. You’ll receive the Writing Program’s course recommendation via email within a few weeks and then respond to that email. If you do not respond to the email, you will be automatically enrolled in the course recommended by the Writing Program. More details are at DSP@UCSC.
What about the AWPE that I’ve heard about?
You do NOT need to take the AWPE if you are a current or future UCSC students. The directed self-placement process replaces the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE), which is a timed writing exam that historically placed students in writing courses at UCSC. (UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego do require the AWPE. If you have already taken the AWPE and have a passing AWPE score, we will honor that score. If you have a non-passing score, you must complete DSP.)
What is the role of my SAT or ACT, AP, and IB scores?
If you received certain scores on these tests, you will be placed into Writing 2, and your course recommendation will reflect this and offer resources based on your DSP responses. Below are the scores that meet the ELWR requirement, meaning a student goes directly to Writing 2 (after College 1):
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- Score 680 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT (Note: SAT is not required for admission to UC)
- Score 63 or higher on ACT English + Reading sections (Note: ACT is not required for admission to UC)
- Score 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English (Language or Literature)
- Score 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English (Language A only)
- Score 6 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Standard Level Examination in English (Language A only)
- Complete with a grade of C or better a UC-transferable college course in English composition (worth 4 quarter or 3 semester units) prior to UC matriculation (see below)
What happens if I already took a California community college course in English composition?
If you have taken an approved community college course, you will be placed into the appropriate writing course, and your course recommendation will reflect this and offer resources based on your DSP responses.