SAT vs. ACT vs. UC

Back in pandemic days, UC dropped the admissions requirement for submission of standardized tests: The SAT and ACT. Other universities did, too, but reconsidered and have been moving back. At the time the decision was made at UC, as blog readers will know, the Academic Senate produced a study indicating that the tests, as used in conjunction with other factors, was useful.

As blog readers will know, a report from UC-San Diego - which received a lot of (not favorable) publicity - highlighted major deficiencies in incoming students, particularly in math.*

A recent Washington Post story noted competition between SAT and ACT and also pointed to the fact that other prestigious universities have moved back toward testing in admissions:

Princeton University... announced plans to drop its test-optional policy in October, leaving Columbia University as the only Ivy League school that doesn’t require test scores. Most colleges temporarily dropped their testing requirements during the pandemic, but some have since reinstated the mandates.

...More than 90 percent of four-year colleges are either test-blind or test-optional. But since the pandemic, more students have taken the test to get an upper-hand in admissions. A majority of students who filed applications through the Common Application by Jan. 1 included their test scores...**

In short, students are taking the tests, even if UC doesn't want to look at them. More selective universities are coming back to considering the tests as part of the admissions process. But there has been no move at UC or at the Regents to revisit the issue. Possibly, the lack of movement at UC is just a sense that to go back would suggest a mistake was made before. But other universities seem able to admit error and reverse direction. Possibly, there is paralysis at UC because of the ongoing conflict with the Trump administration. But given the billion dollar demand from the feds, it seems that no serious negotiations are going to be possible for a long time. Everything at UC can't be put on hold, therefore, awaiting some resolution. 

The alternative is to start offering and requiring remedial courses to make up for K-12 deficiencies. Doing so would lower graduation rates and involve expenditures at a time when potential budget stringencies are looming.

It's time to revisit a questionable decision.

===

*https://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2025/11/not-everyone-is-prepared.html.

**https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/01/18/standardized-test-popularity/.