UC Fast-Tracks SAT/ACT Review Amid Faculty Outcry Over Student Preparedness

The University of California (UC) system is speeding up its review of whether to bring back SAT and ACT test requirements for undergraduate admissions, with a decision now expected by June 2027. This accelerated timeline comes after thousands of UC faculty, particularly from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, raised alarms about declining student preparedness since standardized tests were dropped. The debate is heating up, with faculty arguing that test-free admissions have led to significant gaps in students' math and writing skills, while equity advocates maintain that standardized tests disadvantage low-income students and students of color. The UC system initially moved away from requiring tests in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about fairness, eventually becoming 'test-blind' for admissions following a lawsuit settlement. This policy shift by UC, a leading public university system, has been closely watched nationally, especially as other prominent institutions like Harvard and Stanford have recently reinstated their test requirements. UC Board of Regents Chair Maria Anguiano has tasked the Academic Senate with delivering its recommendations within the 2026-2027 academic year, urging a comprehensive look at college readiness. Academic Senate Chair Ahmet Palazoglu confirmed the June 2027 deadline for a policy recommendation on standardized testing. While the regents will make the final call, any changes could affect students applying as early as the Fall 2027 admissions cycle for entry in Fall 2028, marking a significant potential shift in how tens of thousands of students gain entry to California's premier public universities.