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Subject A

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The Subject A Requirement applies to all UC students. It is an entrance English requirement and is not the same as the Reading and Composition requirement for Environmental Sciences. Many students fulfill the Subject A requirement prior to beginning their fall semester at Cal.

• Ways to fulfill Subject A
• What to do if you have not fulfilled Subject A
• College Writing R1A
• Recommended course schedules for students taking College Writing R1A

Ways to fulfill Subject A

You can fulfill the Subject A requirement prior to starting at Berkeley by:

• Receiving a passing score on the Subject A exam. See the UCOP website, http://www.ucop.edu/sas/sub-a, for more information.
• A minimum score of 3 on the Advanced Placment Test in English Composition and Literature or in English Language and Composition
• A minimum grade of C in a transferable college-level English composition course completed at an accredited college or university and accepted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools at Berkeley.
• A minimum score of 680 on the SAT II: Subject Test in Writing taken since May 1998
• A minimum score of 660 on the SAT II: Subject Test in Writing taken May 1995 through April 1998
• A minimum score of 600 on the SAT II: Subject Test in Writing taken May 1994 through April 1995
• A minimum score of 600 on either form of the College Board Achievement Test in English Composition --"with essay" or "all multiple choice" taken before May 1994
• A minimum score of 5 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English (Language A only).
• A score of "Pass for Credit" on the California State University and Colleges English Equivalency Examination (discontinued 1993).

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What to do if you have not fulfilled Subject A

If you have not satisfied the Subject A requirement prior to entering UC Berkeley, your options depend on whether you have previously taken the Subject A examination.

If you have already taken the Subject A exam and did not pass, you must take College Writing R1A during your first year. We strongly urge you to take it in your first semester. Recommended schedules are below.

If you have not taken the Subject A examination, you may take the exam during the fall semester. Go to the College Writing web site, http://www-writing.berkeley.edu/newsite/subjecta.htm, for more information. If you pass the examination, you will be eligible to take your first Reading and Composition course (R&C "A") in spring. If you do not pass the examination, you must take College Writing R1A in the spring semester.

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College Writing R1A

College Writing R1A fulfills the Subject A requirement and the first half ("A") of the Reading and Composition requirement. It is a six unit course. Because it is so many units, talk to the ES advisor about what other courses you should take with it.

The College Writing Programs office administers the course. If you have specific questions about it, please contact them:

http://www-writing.berkeley.edu

College Writing Programs
University of California
216 Dwinelle Annex #2500
Berkeley, CA 94720-2500

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 4:30
Telephone: 510-642-5570
Fax: 510-642-6963

Their web site also provides a course description and a FAQ list.

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Recommended Schedules

If you decide to take College Writing R1A in your first semester, we recommend that you talk to the ES advisor before finalizing a schedule. Here are some sample plans to consider. Your academic preparation should determine which plan you follow.

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Environmental Sciences
260 Mulford Hall
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA 94720-3100
phone: 510-643-4647
fax: 510-643-3132
email: es-help@nature.berkeley.edu

Modification Date: 06/05/2003