The University of California is once again debating the role of standardized testing in admissions, with a proposal to reinstate the SAT gaining momentum. More than 3,000 professors across the system have signed on, arguing that the test helps identify students who are truly prepared for the rigors of university coursework. Their push comes after years of test-optional and test-blind policies that were adopted during the pandemic and later extended.
Faculty members point to troubling trends in introductory courses: higher failure rates, more students needing remediation, and a noticeable dip in academic readiness. They believe the SAT, despite its flaws, offers a consistent benchmark that can help predict success in the first year. The exam, which covers reading, writing, and math, has long been a staple of college admissions in the U.S., but its future at UC now hangs in the balance.
A divided campus community
The proposal has sparked sharp disagreements. Supporters, including many professors, argue that without a standardized measure, admissions decisions rely too heavily on grades and extracurriculars that can vary widely across high schools. They contend that the SAT levels the playing field for students from less privileged backgrounds who may not have access to advanced courses or elaborate portfolios.
Opponents, however, see it differently. Scholars from UC Berkeley and UC Merced have publicly rejected the mandate, warning that reinstating the exam would undo years of progress in diversifying the student body. They note that only 26% of California high school seniors took the SAT in 2025, and that many underrepresented students—especially Latino, Black, and low-income applicants—might be discouraged from applying if the test becomes mandatory again.
“We’re not solving the preparation gap by adding a barrier,” said one UC Merced professor who asked to remain anonymous. “We’re just filtering out students who have the potential but not the test prep.”
University data tells a more nuanced story. Retention rates remain strong—93% for first-year students overall—and graduation rates have improved, with 74% of students finishing in four years. At UCLA, first-year retention hit 97%, and average GPAs have climbed from 3.1 to 3.3 over the past decade. STEM programs are also thriving, with a 73.4% degree completion rate.
Those numbers suggest that the current system, which considers grades, essays, and extracurriculars, is working. But faculty pushing for the SAT argue that these metrics mask the struggles of students who are admitted but not fully prepared. They point to the fact that many students who fail introductory courses are those who scored lower on standardized tests, even if their high school grades were solid.
What happens next
The decision won’t come quickly. Regents have scheduled public hearings and will receive formal reports from the Academic Senate in February and June. A final vote is expected in September 2026, which means current high school students won’t see any changes until at least the 2027-28 admissions cycle.
This debate is not happening in a vacuum. California has been at the forefront of testing policy changes, and other states are watching closely. If UC brings back the SAT, it could influence admissions practices across the country, especially in states with large Latino populations like Texas and Florida.
For Latino students and families, the stakes are personal. Many see the SAT as a gatekeeper that has historically favored wealthier, mostly white applicants. Others view it as a necessary tool to demonstrate academic ability in a system where not all high schools offer the same opportunities.
“We need to be honest about what the SAT measures,” said a UC admissions officer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s not intelligence. It’s preparation. And preparation is something we can help students build—if we give them the resources.”
In the meantime, students are left in limbo. High schoolers in California, many of them from Latino communities, are watching these deliberations closely. They know that the outcome could change the path to a UC degree—and with it, their futures.
As the university weighs its options, it’s also worth remembering that this is part of a larger conversation about equity in higher education. Similar debates are playing out in other states, and the decisions made here could echo for years. For now, the message to applicants is simple: stay informed, keep your options open, and don’t let uncertainty derail your plans.
For more on how California is shaping education and policy, check out our coverage of California's job creation efforts and new emergency alert translations.
