[bruin66]

The greatest incentive to learn English composition before entering the University of California system was the dreaded Subject A test. Fail it, and you were required to take the remedial course in Subject A, at your expense, and time, until you passed. It was the scourge of the Engineering students. Very effective, and yes, it wasn't FAIR.

[Mariner]

They’ve even dumbed that down.
With this new pronouncement, the dumbed-down requirement is dead.

http://www.ucop.edu/elwr/

One of the best job interview “questions” a prospective employer can ask is:

What do you know a lot about? Cars?
Write me a story about cars. (Or fashion, music etc.).

80% of College graduates cannot write.

You cannot discern the intended meaning from their email!

It is the most fundamental of all academic skills.

[hanamizu]

the dreaded Subject A test. Fail it, and you were required to take the remedial course in Subject A, at your expense, and time, until you passed.

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As an added incentive, Subject A awarded no credits and some draft boards during the 60s required an average 15 hours per semester to keep the student deferment.