Berkeley Writing Assessment: General Questions
What is the Berkeley Writing Assessment?
The Berkeley Writing Assessment is a 2-hour timed reading and writing activity done online. It is made up of a reading passage and questions that you will write an essay in response to, without the assistance of outside readings, books, websites, ChatGPT, or other people. You will also complete a survey that tells us about your experience with writing and writing classes.
Who should take the Berkeley Writing Assessment?
If you do not have a qualifying exam score at this time, or a C or higher in an English Composition course completed before starting Berkeley, you should consider taking the next available assessment.
The advantage of taking the upcoming assessment is to guarantee you will have the results in time for fall semester enrollment in mid-July to best determine if you will take COLWRIT R1A or qualify for enrollment in a Reading and Composition course that satisfies Part A. The Assessment is not required for enrollment in COLWRIT R1A, you can always enroll directly into the course. COLWRIT R1A completed with a letter grade of C or higher satisfies both Entry Level Writing and Reading and Composition Part A.
How do I sign up for the Assessment?
If you are a newly admitted first-year student who has accepted the offer to attend Berkeley, you will be assigned a Task in your CalCentral Dashboard to complete an Entry Level Writing Evaluation form. If you are a continuing Berkeley student, there is a registration link on this page.
You may take the Berkeley Writing Assessment only once.
How is the Assessment scored?
Each student essay will be read by two raters, working independently, to assign it a score from 1-6. The two scores are combined for the final score.
How do I pass the Assessment?
This is not an exam in the traditional sense. The Assessment doesn't have passing or failing grades. Instead, it will tell you which composition class is best for you given your skills and experience. If you receive a combined final score of 8 or higher, you will be recommended to take a 4-unit Reading and Composition Part A course in the department of your choice, including College Writing Programs. If your score is lower than 8, you will take College Writing (COLWRIT) R1A, a 6-unit course which satisfies both the Entry Level Writing and Reading and Composition Part A requirement.
How much does the Berkeley Writing Assessment cost?
Upon completing the BWA, a $196 fee will be charged and applied to your Billing Summary account under My Finances in your CalCentral dashboard. Payment is due by Friday, May 30, 2025. If you previously qualified for the UC Application fee waiver, an automatic fee waiver will be applied.
Can the fee for the Berkeley Writing Assessment be waived?
Fee waivers for the Berkeley Writing Assessment are only granted to students who qualified for the UC Application fee waiver. The Berkeley Writing Assessment fee waiver will be automatically processed if you have already qualified for the UC Application fee waiver.
I have a conflict with the most recent Assessment. Are there any make-up times?
Yes, the Berkeley Writing Assessment will be offered two times each year: the May administration (primarily for incoming students) and once during the fall semester. Note that you may take the Assessment only once. If you do not receive a qualifying score the first time you take the Assessment, and you have no other qualifying scores or acceptable transfer course completed prior to stating Berkeley, you should enroll in COLWRIT R1A
Do I need to take the Assessment in order to enroll in COLWRIT R1A?
No, you may enroll directly in COLWRIT R1A without an assessment score. Many students appreciate taking the course as a way to improve their reading and writing skills in a small class environment (College Writing classes have only 14 students per section). The class is designed to set you up for success with your future writing assignments at Berkeley.
I took the BWA. How long will it be until I get my score?
It generally takes around 3 weeks for your essay to be scored and for the score to be submitted before it appears in your records. You can find your BWA scores on your Cal Central dashboard under the "My Academics" tab.
How do I know which test scores satisfy ELWR?
A list of accepted tests and scores is found on the University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement page.