There are two placement exams that are important to review before attending Orientation. They are the Math Placement Exam (MPE) and Collaborative Writing Placement (CWP). Students should take these exams before their orientation session if they need to complete entry-level math or writing courses during their first quarter at UCSB. Students who have already satisfied entry-level math or writing credit through an AP exam, SAT/ACT score or an appropriate college course do not need to take these exams.
Math Placement Exam
The Math Placement Exam (MPE) is a 90-minute exam that assesses student readiness for calculus courses at UCSB. Completing the MPE with a score of 2 or higher lets students register for Math 2A or Math 3A. Certain majors at UCSB require students to complete Math 2A or Math 3A within their first quarter. Failure to complete the Math Placement Exam before the second day of Orientation will prevent students from enrolling in Math 2A or Math 3A.
- Have you scored a 2 or higher on an AP Calculus AB Exam or AP Calculus BC Exam?
- Do you have an unofficial or self-reported score of 2 or higher on an AP Calculus AB Exam or AP Calculus BC Exam?
- Have you scored a 5 or higher on an IB Higher Level Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Exam?
- Have you scored an A, B or C on an A Level Mathematics Exam or A Level Further Mathematics Exam?
- Have you earned equivalent college credit for Math 2A or 3A through a California community college, four-year university, or college outside of California?
- Are math courses not required for your major?
- Does your major require Math 34A instead of Math 2A or Math 3A?
If any of these statements are true, you do not need to take the Math Placement Exam.
An up-to-date list of majors which require Math 2A or Math 3A can be found through the Math Department website.
The following majors should complete Math 2A or Math 3A within their first quarter at UCSB, if Math 2A or Math 3A has not already been satisfied by college credit.
College of Letters and Science
- Chemistry (B.A. or B.S.)
- Biochemistry (B.S.)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MCDB) (B.S.)
- Environmental Studies (B.S.)
- Hydrologic Sciences (B.S.)
- Physical Geography (B.S.)
- Physical Geography - Ocean Science Emphasis (B.S.)
- Earth Science - Any Emphasis (B.S.)
- Mathematics (B.A. or B.S.)
- Applied Mathematics (B.S.)
- Financial Math and Statistics (B.S.)
- Statistics and Data Science (B.A. or B.S.)
- Actuarial Science (B.S.)
- Physics (B.A. or B.S.)
- Undeclared students interested in declaring one of the majors listed above
College of Engineering
- Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Engineering (B.S.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Electrical Engineering (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Collaborative Writing Placement
The Collaborative Writing Placement (CWP) is a 60-minute placement assessment that lets students register for writing courses at UCSB that are appropriate for their writing level. Students only need to complete this placement if they have not satisfied the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) through an AP exam, SAT/ACT score or another form of college credit. Students are not required to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement within their first quarter. However, students are expected to complete this requirement within their first year at UCSB.