W grades, retakes and unit limits
These are the record questions transfer students ask most. UC answers each one in its own policy pages.
Checked against official UC and campus sources in October 2026.
Overview
| Question | UC’s answer |
|---|---|
| Do W’s hurt me? | A W carries no grade points and isn’t in your UC GPA, but you must report every one. UCLA says withdrawals aren’t necessarily viewed negatively. |
| Can I retake a bad grade? | A C-, D, F or No Pass can be repeated until you earn a C or better. UC uses the new grade and doesn’t average. |
| How much Pass/No Pass counts? | No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units toward your 60. UCLA requires major prep for a letter grade. |
| Do I have too many units? | If all your coursework is from community colleges, you can’t be denied for excess units. The 80 semester unit limit applies once UC or four-year units are on your record. |
| Does AP count? | AP scores of 3 to 5 earn credit and don’t count toward the 70-unit lower-division limit. List them in the exam section, since AP on a college transcript isn’t accepted. |
More guides
Questions
Do W grades hurt UC transfer applications?
A W isn’t part of your UC GPA, but you must report it. UCLA says withdrawals aren’t necessarily viewed negatively.
Does UC average repeated courses?
No. A repeated C-, D or F is replaced by the new grade.