The University of California Board of Regents is accelerating its timeline for deciding whether to reinstate the SAT and ACT standardized tests as an admissions requirement. Chair Maria Anguiano announced that the Academic Senate is expected to submit its recommendations by June 2027, which is sooner than the previously anticipated Fall 2027. This decision follows significant pressure from faculty members who advocate for the return of the tests.
The Academic Senate's accelerated review specifically focuses on the standardized test requirement in admissions. This speeds up the process by approximately six months compared to an earlier plan. The regents will make a final decision only after receiving the Academic Senate's formal recommendation. It is currently unclear if this new timeline will allow for a vote in time for students applying for Fall 2028.
While the regents will not address the SAT/ACT question at their upcoming September meeting, as some professors had urged, the expedited timeline indicates a renewed focus on the issue. This comes amid a growing debate on how the UC system defines and evaluates college readiness, with many public speakers at a recent board meeting supporting the reintroduction of the SAT and ACT.
