University of California Faculty Push for SAT Reinstatement

University of California Faces Pressure to Reintroduce SAT/ACT Scores

Over 1,000 math and science professors within the University of California (UC) system are advocating for the return of SAT and ACT scores for students applying to STEM fields. UC Berkeley math professors emphasized this issue in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, pointing out a gap in student preparation. This preparation gap emerged after the UC system stopped requiring standardized tests in 2020. As a result, students lack adequate preparation, causing a strain on academic resources.

Recent Calls for Change

The New York Times Editorial Board has urged the UC system to reconsider their decision to eliminate standardized testing in undergraduate admissions. The board described this move as a significant mistake, leaving students less equipped for college coursework. Their editorial was published just prior to the UC Board of Regents meeting to discuss the policy.

Historical Context and Recommendations

In 2019, the UC system established the Standardized Testing Task Force (STTF)—a group of 18 professors across its 10 campuses—to evaluate the utilization of standardized test scores in admissions. The task force published a 225-page report, concluding that test scores are valuable for predicting student success, including undergraduate grade point average, retention, and completion.

“The STTF found that standardized test scores aid in predicting important aspects of student success,” the report stated.

Despite these findings, the UC system chose a ‘test-blind’ policy in 2020, prompted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This decision prevented the acceptance of test scores in admissions, even from students who volunteered their scores.

Consequences of Policy Changes

The New York Times Editorial Board criticized the test-blind approach, noting its detrimental outcomes. Last fall, UC San Diego faculty reported a significant drop in student readiness. For instance, nearly 12% of first-year undergraduates were unprepared for pre-calculus, up from 0.5% in 2020. The editorial highlighted that although external factors like AI disruptions, pandemic-induced school closures, and smartphone distractions played a role, the UC policy had a unique impact.

Efforts to Reinstate Standardized Testing

UC faculty members are actively pushing for the reinstatement of standardized tests. A coordinated effort resulted in letters from over 2,300 STEM faculty and more than 900 humanities faculty members demanding a reversal of the test-blind policy. STEM faculty expressed that failing to address preparation gaps harms both individual students and the university overall.

In response to these concerns, a UC spokesperson cited a statement from Academic Senate Chair Ahmet Palazoglu, emphasizing UC’s commitment to data-driven reviews for enhancing college readiness.

Comparisons and Future Considerations

The editorial also compared UC’s stance with other universities. While many institutions adopted similar test-optional policies during the pandemic, numerous prestigious schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton have since reinstated test requirements. The Naval Academy and West Point continue to require test scores for their applicants.

“The university’s trustees, known as the regents, have the final word,” the Times Editorial Board argued. They suggested that the regents acknowledge past mistakes and reconsider the policy when they meet.