The University of California sped up its testing review. Faculty recommendations are now expected by June 2027 — while UC remains test-free for now.
The University of California accelerated its review of standardized testing. The Academic Senate is now expected to recommend by June 2027 whether to restore the SAT or ACT. UC has been test-free since 2021. Reporting on the timeline notes thousands of faculty signed petitions urging a return to testing, citing readiness gaps in STEM and writing, while opponents argue tests track wealth more than ability.
Any change still needs Regents approval. Fall 2027 applicants remain under the current test-free rules.
Do not wait for UC to make up its mind before you take the SAT or ACT.
Even if UC stays test-free, almost every Ivy and a long list of selective privates already want scores again. A UC-only testing strategy is a trap if your list includes schools outside the system.
Faculty pressure inside UC is real. Retention may look fine in aggregate, but STEM and writing readiness arguments do not disappear because a committee moves slowly. A policy flip with short notice would punish students who assumed tests would never matter for UC.
If you are aiming at Berkeley, UCLA, or any UC STEM major, a serious Math score is protection — whether UC requires it or not. It signals readiness when grades alone are noisy.
Our view: objective scores help identify talent that fancy extracurriculars and polished essays can hide — especially for kids outside feeder schools. Prepare as if testing is coming back nationally, because for selective admissions it already has.
Build a junior-year testing plan now. Leave room for a second attempt. And do not let "UC is still test-free" become an excuse to skip the one lever you can still move in months, not years.
Fall 2027 may stay test-free at UC. Your broader list probably will not. Act accordingly.
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