Quantitative Reasoning

Guidelines for Quantitative Reasoning

The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is designed to ensure that students graduate with basic understanding and competency in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. The requirement may be satisfied by exam or by taking an approved course. 

Passing Grade

C- or better

Grading Option

Letter graded only

Deadline

All students must complete Quantitative Reasoning before graduation.

How to Satisfy Quantitative Reasoning

High School Exam Score

Use the following table to determine if you have received a score on an exam that satisfies quantitative reasoning.

Exam

Minimum Score Required to Satisfy Quantitative Reasoning

SAT Math Section on exams administered January 2016 and PRIOR 600
SAT Math Section on exams administered March 2016 and BEYOND 620
SAT Subject Test, Math Level 2 520
ACT - Math Portion 28
Advanced Placement Exams in Calculus AB or BC 3, 4, or 5
Advanced Placement Exam in Calculus BC: AB Subscore 3, 4, or 5
Advanced Placement Exam in Computer Science Principles 3, 4, or 5
Advanced Placement Exam in Statistics 3, 4, or 5
International Baccalaureate Higher Level (HL) Exam in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Analysis and Approaches, or Applications and Interpretation 5, 6 or 7
International Baccalaureate High Level (HL) Exam in Computer Science 5, 6 or 7
GCE A-level Mathematics Exam A, B, or C (or 1, 2, or 3)
Quantitative Reasoning exam offered by the Department of Mathematics administered at the beginning of each semester on the Berkeley campus. 20

Berkeley Courses

The following Berkeley course options, completed with a letter grade of C- or higher, satisfy the Quantitative Reasoning requirement:

DepartmentCourse Options
Computer Science COMPSCI C8, 10, W10, 61A, 61B, 61C, 70
Data Science DATA, COMPSCI, INFO or STAT C8
Mathematics MATH 1A, N1A, 1B, N1B, 10A, N10A, 10B, N10B, X11, X12, 16A, N16A, 16B, N16B, 32, N32, 53, H53, N53, W53, 54, H54, N54, W54, 55, N55, 74
Statistics STAT 2, X10, C8, 20, 21, W21

Be sure to review the course descriptions and prerequisites in the Berkeley Academic Guide to ensure adequate preparation before enrolling. The Department of Mathematics also offers an on-line placement exam to help students choose between MATH 32, 16A and 1A.

Most students who have not fulfilled this requirement prior to admission enroll in MATH 32 (Pre-Calculus), STAT 2 (Introduction to Statistics) or COMPSCI/INFO/STAT C8 (Foundations of Data Science).

Those students prepared to complete an upper division (courses numbered 100-199) course in lieu of an approved lower-division course (courses numbered 1-99), should contact L&S advising (asklns@berkeley.edu) to confirm approval prior to enrollment. Only courses valued at 3 units or higher, and with a prerequisite of one of the approved lower-division courses will be considered.

Transfer Courses

All transfer courses pursued for Quantitative Reasoning must be completed with a C- or higher. 

Students admitted with UC IGETC Certification or UC Reciprocity Quantitative Reasoning is satisfied. No additional course work is required.
Students who started Berkeley as freshmen Berkeley students may pursue a pre-approved course for Quantitative Reasoning at a California Community College during the summer or while not enrolled at Berkeley during a Fall or Spring semester. To identify pre-approved courses for Quantitative Reasoning, see our Transfer Credit: California Community College page for step-by-step instructions. 
Non-California Community College  Transfer courses from accredited higher education institutions (i.e. 2-year or 4-year campus in the U.S. or non-UCEAP courses from abroad), must be reviewed and approved by L&S to satisfy Quantitative Reasoning. See our Transfer Credit: Other Higher Education Institution page for step-by-step instructions.