<p>there are 2 ways of passing this requirement, by passing the English Composition Exam or by completing 2 english courses.</p>
<p>which is the better way? which way do most davis students choose? how hard is the english composition exam?</p>
<p>also maybe you guys should know that if i chose the second option, i would only have to complete one english course instead of two, because i already completed a lower division english class that is equivalent to one of the required courses.</p>
<p>but at this point im still leaning toward taking the exam instead of taking one english class.</p>
<p>I took the exam and passed. It was pretty simple. If you can read a 2 page prompt, throw together an outline, and BS a 4 paragraph essay in 90 minutes then you'll have a good chance of passing. My roommate decided to take the class because he needed the GPA help.</p>
<p>TAKE THE TEST. Trust me. I am an IR major so I may be more comfortable writing than some people, but unless your writing is awful, I don't think you'll have too much trouble. Anyway, the upper division English classes that one can take instead of the test are writing classes. So if you hate writing, it doesn't make sense to take a class where you will have 4-6 large papers and a numbr of smaller papers, instead of writing a one-time essay. Even if you like writing as I do, take the test. For one, it will get a requirement out of the way and a load off your mind. You can always take a writing class if you so desire -- the test doesn't change that. Second, even you do love writing, those classes take the joy out of it. One of my friends who adores writing took a class instead of the test, and had a writing assignment due EVERY CLASS PERIOD. She loathed writing by the end. </p>
<p>Believe me, the test isn't that hard. You'll get a general prompt and you can address it any way you want. If you have trouble spelling, then use words you can spell. If you have trouble with punctuation, then keep your sentences short and sweet. Make sure each paragraph has a topic sentence, your essay has an intro, body, and conclusion, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>I have a friend that tested out of it. Well, she didn't pass the first time.. but she passed the second time!</p>
<p>I, on the other hand, took the classes because I was looking for ways to get more units. I took NAS 5 for the lower division course (because it also satisfies arts & humanities GE and Diversity GE), and the upper division courses are split into a hole bunch of courses so you can take one oriented towards your major. I took 104E, scientific writing, and surprisingly.. I really liked the class (I usually despise english classes). It was unlike any other writing class I've ever taken because the teacher wanted to eliminate all the fluffy jargon people shove in. I got an A, and one of the papers I wrote is actually being published in Prized Writing! (Go me!)</p>