The A to G requirements are 15 yearlong college prep courses a student must pass with a C or better to be eligible for the University of California: 2 years of history, 4 of English, 3 of math, 2 of science, 2 of a language other than English, 1 of visual and performing arts and 1 elective, with at least 11 finished before senior year. The California State University uses nearly the same pattern. Enter your courses below to see which areas are met and exactly what is missing.
| Subject area | UC | CSU |
|---|
Prefer paper? Download and print the free A to G Four Year Planning Sheet (PDF) and the Junior and Senior Year College Application Checklist for California Students (PDF). Want help turning them into a weekly plan? Book a free 20 minute intro call.
The A to G requirements at a glance
From the University of California’s A to G subject requirement and first year requirements:
| Area | Required | Recommended | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. History | 2 years | 1 year of world history, cultures or historical geography, and 1 year of U.S. history (or a half year of U.S. history and a half year of civics or American government) | |
| B. English | 4 years | Frequent writing and classic and modern literature; no more than 1 year of ESL type courses | |
| C. Mathematics | 3 years | 4 years | Elementary and advanced algebra and two and three dimensional geometry; a geometry course or integrated math with enough geometry; 7th and 8th grade math can count if the high school accepts it |
| D. Science | 2 years | 3 years | Two of biology, chemistry and physics; one year of earth and space or interdisciplinary science can meet one year; computer science, engineering and applied science count as an additional year |
| E. Language other than English | 2 years | 3 years | The same language, or the 2nd level of high school instruction; 7th and 8th grade courses can count if the high school accepts them |
| F. Visual and performing arts | 1 year | One yearlong course in one discipline (dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts), or two semesters in the same discipline | |
| G. College prep elective | 1 year | A course approved as G, or a course beyond the minimum in areas A to F |
Where UC and CSU differ
The CSU first year requirements use the same 15 course pattern with a few differences the checker shows in its own column:
- History: CSU requires 2 years of history or social science including 1 year of U.S. history or U.S. history and government; it does not separately require world history.
- Science: CSU requires 2 years of lab science, one biological and one physical.
- Grades: CSU accepts a C minus or better; UC requires a C or better.
Common gaps to watch for
- Geometry: three years of math without geometry, or an integrated sequence that does not cover enough of it, leaves area C open.
- The second year of language: switching languages after one year means starting over; two years must be in the same language.
- Arts in one discipline: one semester of music and one of drawing does not add up to area F.
- Science disciplines: two years of biology alone does not meet UC’s two of biology, chemistry and physics rule.
- D and F grades: a D completes nothing in A to G, even though it may count toward high school graduation.
- Classes not on the list: an elective with a college prep sounding name may not be on the school’s UC approved list.
- Timing: UC wants 11 of the 15 courses finished before the start of senior year, so a heavy senior year cannot make up for a light junior year.
How to use your results
- Fill in courses finished and in progress, then use the missing list to build next year’s schedule with your counselor.
- Check every course against your school’s UC approved list before you count on it.
- Plan the recommended years too. A 4th year of math, a 3rd year of science and a 3rd year of language are recommended by UC.
- Then estimate your GPA with the UC and CSU GPA calculator.
Common questions
What are the A to G requirements?
A to G is the pattern of 15 yearlong college preparatory courses that UC and CSU require: 2 years of history (A), 4 of English (B), 3 of math (C), 2 of science (D), 2 of a language other than English (E), 1 of visual and performing arts (F) and 1 college prep elective (G).
Do 7th and 8th grade classes count?
For math and language other than English, yes, if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses. Every other subject must be completed in grades 9 through 12.
What grade do I need for a course to count?
UC requires a letter grade of C or better. CSU accepts a C minus or better. A D or F does not complete the requirement, but UC allows students to repeat the course.
How do I know if a class is an A to G course?
California high schools have a UC approved course list. Ask your counselor for it or look your school up on the UC A to G course list site. A class that is not on the list does not count, even if it sounds similar.
Does finishing A to G guarantee admission?
No. It makes a student eligible to be considered, together with the GPA minimum. Most campuses admit students well beyond the minimum.
Is my information saved anywhere?
No. The checker runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you choose is sent, stored or logged.
How a mentor helps a student plan junior and senior year
The numbers above come from choices made one semester at a time. A mentor works one on one with a high school student, with parents in the loop, on the parts that decide those numbers:
- Course planning: mapping 11th and 12th grade so every remaining A to G gap is filled on time and the schedule stays one the student can manage, checked against the school’s approved list with the counselor.
- Weekly follow through: a steady routine for assignments, tests and long projects, so a semester grade does not slip to a C or D before anyone notices.
- Executive function skills: planning, prioritizing and starting work early, the skills honors and AP loads demand.
- Senior year on track: keeping grades steady through application season, because admission offers depend on finishing senior year as planned.
- Coordination: working with parents and, when the family wants it, the school team, so everyone sees the same plan.
Mentoring is not tutoring, test prep or admissions consulting, and no one can promise grades or admission. Blackburn Mentoring works with students by video nationwide and in person in Los Angeles, including families across Los Angeles County. Book a free 20 minute intro call to talk through your student’s plan.
Related guides
- UC and CSU GPA calculator
- California senior year checklist for UC and CSU
- Community college to UC transfer
- Choosing high school courses
- Building a four year high school plan
- Junior year of high school: what matters
- Senior year high school plan
- Academic coaching for high school students
This checker is general information, not official admissions advice. Requirements can change; the official UC and CSU sites, your school’s approved course list and your counselor decide.