The most common method students use to fulfill the “a-g” course pattern is by completing college-preparatory high school courses with grades of C or better. For California residents, these courses must appear on their high school’s“a-g” course list for the academic year the course was taken.

These high school courses must be academically challenging, involve substantial reading and writing, require students to think analytically as well as master factual content and develop critical oral and listening skills. All courses must also meet subject-specific course criteria and be reviewed by UC for "a-g" approval.

Students are not restricted to completing high school coursework at their home high school to satisfy their subject requirements. They may use courses from any California high school or program that appears on the institution's “a-g” course list for the year the course was completed.