Pass Times UC Davis: How to Actually Get the Classes You Want

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on the UC Davis subreddit, you’ve seen the panic. It’s a specific kind of stress. You’re staring at Schedule Builder, watching the "seats remaining" number on that one Organic Chemistry section dwindle down to zero while your registration window is still three days away.

Pass times UC Davis are essentially the heartbeat of your academic life. They determine if you’re graduating on time or spending an extra quarter chasing a prerequisite. Honestly, the system can feel like a rigged lottery, but there’s a very specific logic to how the Registrar hands out these windows.

The Brutal Reality of Pass 1 and Pass 2

UC Davis doesn't just let 30,000 students rush the gates at once. That would crash the servers and create a level of chaos even the arboretum turkeys couldn't handle. Instead, we have a two-phase system.

Pass 1 is your first shot. It’s a strict four-hour window. During this time, you are capped at 17 units. This is the "survival" phase. You don't use Pass 1 for your easy GE about dinosaurs unless you’ve already secured your major requirements. You use it for the "bottleneck" classes.

One thing people often forget: you cannot waitlist during Pass 1. If a class is full, it’s full. You have to wait until Pass 2 to start jumping into waitlist queues.

Pass 2 is where the caps lift a bit. You can register for up to 19 units, and this is when the waitlists finally open. If you’re at #2 or #3 on a waitlist for a 100-person lecture, you’re usually fine. If you’re #15 for a 20-person lab? Yeah, maybe start looking for a backup.

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How Your Appointment is Actually Calculated

It isn't random. Well, mostly isn't.

The Registrar assigns pass times based on completed units. This includes units you’ve finished and graded, plus transfer work that’s been officially processed. It does not include the classes you are currently sitting in.

• Seniors (135+ units) get the first picks.
• Juniors (90-134.9 units) follow.
• Sophomores (45-89.9 units) come next.
• Freshmen (0-44.9 units) are at the tail end.

If you have 89 units, you are technically a sophomore. If you had 90, you’d be a junior with a significantly better pass time. This is why some students take random 1-unit P/NP seminars—to push themselves into the next bracket for the following quarter.

The AP/IB Unit Trap

Here’s a nuance that trips people up: while AP and IB units count toward your standing (like becoming a "Sophomore" earlier), UC Davis limits how much they help your pass time priority. Specifically, only up to 13 units of AP/IB credit are factored into your actual registration priority calculation. You can't just walk in with 40 AP units and expect to register before every other freshman.

The 2026 Registration Windows

For those planning out the rest of the 2025-2026 academic year, the dates are already locked in. Mark these. Seriously.

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Spring 2026 Registration:

• Pass 1: February 2 – February 13, 2026.
• Pass 2: February 23 – March 8, 2026.

Fall 2026 Registration (For Continuing Students):

• Pass 1: May 11 – May 22, 2026.
• Pass 2: Late July/Early August (TBD).

If you miss your four-hour window, don't freak out. You can still register during Open Hours. Usually, this is weekdays from 8:00 p.m. to midnight and all day on weekends. It’s less convenient, and the good classes might be gone, but the system doesn't just lock you out forever.

Strategies That Actually Work

Don't just have one schedule. Use the "Save as Draft" feature in Schedule Builder to create three or four variations.

I’ve seen students lose a perfect schedule because one lab section conflicted with a lecture that moved at the last second. If you have "Plan B" and "Plan C" ready to go, you can click "Register" on your secondary options within seconds of seeing a "Class Full" red box.

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Watch the "Open Registration" gaps. Between Pass 1 and Pass 2, there are periods where anyone can jump in and snag a seat that someone else dropped. If you're hawk-eyed, you can sometimes grab a spot without ever dealing with a waitlist.

Check for holds early.
Nothing kills a pass time like a "Student Health Hold" or a "Late Fee Hold." Check your status on the OASIS portal at least a week before your date. If you have a hold, Schedule Builder will literally just stare at you while everyone else takes your seats.

Priority Groups: The "Cheat Code"

Some people get to go before the seniors. This includes:

1. Students with disabilities (verified through DAC).
2. Foster Youth.
3. Regents Scholars.
4. NCAA Athletes.
5. Veterans.

If you fall into these categories, your pass time will almost always be on the very first morning of Pass 1.

Actionable Steps for Your Next Pass Time

1. Unit Check: Log into OASIS and see exactly how many completed units you have. If you’re close to a 45/90/135 threshold, make sure all your transfer transcripts are processed.
2. The 15-Minute Rule: Set an alarm for 15 minutes before your window starts. Log into Schedule Builder, clear any "acknowledgment" pop-ups, and make sure your session hasn't timed out.
3. CRN Backup: Keep a physical list of CRNs (Course Reference Numbers) on a sticky note. If Schedule Builder’s visual interface lags, you can sometimes "Add by CRN" faster than the search bar loads.
4. Waitlist Wisdom: If you’re in Pass 2 and a class is full, get on the waitlist immediately. Many departments (like Math and Chemistry) use the first week of classes to "flush" students who don't show up, meaning waitlists move faster than you think.

The system isn't perfect, and the "Pass Times UC Davis" struggle is a rite of passage for every Aggie. Just remember that everyone else is just as stressed as you are, and most schedules—even the messy ones—tend to work themselves out by the second week of the quarter.