All incoming students will receive a placement into UC Irvine writing courses. UC Irvine writing faculty will be placing students into courses during summer, 2022.

In order for students to receive their writing placements before they attend summer academic orientation students must do the following:

–Submit their Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortia (SBAC)/California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASP) score if they have one. Many students complete this assessment in eleventh grade in California and elsewhere in the United States. For more information about the SBAC/CAASP please see this link.

These scores must be submitted to UC Irvine’s SBAC ELA submission form by July 1, 2022.

—Submit their scores, if they have them, from tests such as AP English Language or AP English Literature; the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); American College Testing (ACT); and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

These scores, if available, should be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by July 1, 2022. If scores not available by July 1, students should submit them as soon as possible after that date.

Test scores can determine satisfaction of UC Irvine’s Entry Level Writing Requirement. For more information consult this chart.

The writing placement process takes into consideration all relevant information from students’ records. Providing the scores requested will assist greatly in placing students in writing courses best suited to foster their academic success.

All incoming students will be notified by the writing faculty of their placements or whether further steps must be taken to determine placement.

For questions about the writing placement process please email writingplacement@uci.edu.

Students who have been notified that they are eligible for the Academic English Placement Exam, please read the below carefully.

What is the purpose of the Academic English Placement Exam (AEPE)?

The purpose of this exam is to provide eligible students with an additional opportunity to demonstrate their English academic reading and writing proficiency. The result of the exam will determine the writing/reading course(s) that will benefit students the most. 

Who needs to take the AEPE?

AEPE is optional; eligible students can choose to take it if they would like an additional opportunity to demonstrate their English academic reading and writing proficiency. 

When should I take the AEPE?

The AEPE will take place in August, 2022. It must be taken prior to your first quarter of enrollment at UCI. The AEPE may not be repeated.

How long is the AEPE? What is the format of the test?

This 70-minute test has the following components:

• A Background Questionnaire – You will have 20 minutes to respond to a series of questions that will help us understand your previous experiences learning and using English in academic contexts
• Reading and Writing Tasks – You will have 50 minutes to answer a series of questions that will help us understand your level of proficiency in academic reading and writing tasks

The exam is an online exam and will take place on Canvas. Once you have registered, you will be given instructions at a later time on how to access the exam, as well as other important information regarding your course placement(s). 

What happens after the test?

Within three weeks after your exam dates, you can check your results on the Academic Testing Center website. If you are placed into AE coursework, you are required to complete all courses before taking the WR courses needed to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. 

How long are the test results valid?

The results are valid for your entire academic career at UCI.

Is test registration required?

Test registration is always required. You will receive detailed instructions about how to register in your email. 

Do I need an I.D. to take a placement test?

Yes. The Academic English test will be administered online through Canvas. You will be asked to show your photo ID through your webcam prior to taking the test.

The following are examples of acceptable forms of photo identification:

UCI or other school photo I.D. card, a government-issued photo ID card. (e.g. a photo-bearing driver’s license, a photo-bearing DMV-issued identification card, a photo-bearing military I.D. card, a passport featuring a current photograph, a Permanent Resident Card–commonly known as a Green Card–featuring a current photograph).