Exemptions

Exemptions from the Effective Writing Test are granted to newly admitted students who meet one of the following criteria:

1. A mark of 75% or better on the Alberta or British Columbia English 30-1 Diploma Examination (not the blended grade).
2. A mark of 80% or equivalent letter grade or better in Alberta English 30-1 (blended mark) or equivalent course from other Canadian provinces.
3. A mark of 5 or better on the International Baccalaureate Higher or Standard Level English A1 examination, or a mark of 6 or better on the International Baccalaureate English B (Higher Level) examination.
4. A mark of 4 or better on the Literature and Composition Advanced Placement examination or in the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition course.
5. Completion of a degree from an accredited institution in a country that the University of Calgary recognizes as English language proficiency exempt. Click here for a list of countries.
6. Evidence of passing a test equivalent to the Effective Writing Test. (It is the responsibility of the Effective Writing Program to determine which tests and what scores on such tests may be accepted as equivalent.) The following test results have been deemed to be equivalent to a pass on the Effective Writing Test. Students requesting an exemption under this criterion must provide the Effective Writing Program Office with official documentation.
   
   
   • Bishop's University Writing Proficiency Test -- 3 or better
   • LPI -- Language Proficiency Index (British Columbia)-- 5 or 6
   • Langara College English L.E.T. Test - Level 4 or 5
   • Laurentian University Writing Competence Test -- 1 or 2
   • U of Toronto English Proficiency Test -- P or M
   • U of Waterloo English Language Proficiency Exam -- 80% or better including 3 or better on the essay section
   • Ministerial Examination of College English, Language of Instruction and Literature -- English Exit Examination Province of Quebec -- B or better on both criteria II (organization of response) and III (expression)
   • Cambridge -- Certificate in Advanced English -- A or B but ONLY with a Writing score in the "Exceptional" band (on the Candidate Profile)
   • Cambridge International Examinations, Advanced (A) Level, English (Language and Literature) or English Literature -- A
   • Cambridge General Certificate of Education, Advanced Level, Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level, English Language OR General Paper -- A
   • IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) Writing Test - Band 8 or better.
   • New TOEFL iBT (internet-based) Test - Writing section - 28 or better (out of 30)
7. Receipt of a grade of "B-" or better in a University of Calgary English course, Comparative Literature course, or equivalent.
8. Receipt of a grade of "C+" or better in a University of Calgary Academic Writing (ACWR) 200 or 300 level course.
9. Receipt of a grade of pass in designated non-credit Effective Writing Courses offered by the Effective Writing Program.
10. Special exemption by the dean of the student's home faculty.
11. Receipt of a grade of "B" or better in a post-secondary writing or communication course deemed acceptable by the Effective Writing Program. A list of courses approved, to date, is posted here. Students requesting an exemption under this criterion must contact the Effective Writing Program office.