Education | UC System Reinstates SAT/ACT for Fall 2027 Admissions, Reversing Pandemic Policy
Senior Technology Correspondent · AI, startups & MeitY policy
Quick summary
The University of California System has reinstated the SAT and ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions, effective for the Fall 2027 application cycle. This decision by the UC Board of Regents reverses the test-optional policy implemented during the pandemic and impacts all prospective applicants seeking admission to UC campuses.
The University of California Board of Regents reinstated the SAT and ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions on , effective for the Fall 2027 application cycle, according to an official announcement from the board.
What's New
The UC Board of Regents confirmed the reversal of its previous test-optional policy, which had been implemented during the pandemic, in a decision announced today. This policy change mandates that applicants seeking admission for Fall 2027 and subsequent cycles must submit scores from either the SAT or ACT examination. This move by the University of California System signifies a shift back to pre-pandemic admissions criteria for standardized testing.
Who It Affects
This policy change directly affects all prospective undergraduate applicants to the nine University of California campuses, requiring them to undertake and submit scores from either the SAT or ACT examination. Students currently preparing for the Fall 2027 application cycle and beyond will need to factor standardized test preparation and submission into their application strategy. The decision impacts a large pool of domestic and international students considering the UC System, which enrolls over 280,000 students across its campuses, according to UC System enrollment data.
Key Dates / Deadlines
The reinstated requirement applies to the Fall 2027 undergraduate admission cycle. Specific application submission deadlines for Fall 2027 will be announced by individual UC campuses; historically, these cycles typically open in August and close in November of the preceding year, as per established UC application timelines.
Official Guidance
The UC Board of Regents has advised prospective applicants to consult the official University of California admissions website for detailed information regarding test score submission, exemption policies, and comprehensive application requirements. Official guidance specifies that score submission will be a mandatory component of the application for the designated cycle, as confirmed by the board's statement.
Context
The decision by the UC Board of Regents concludes a period of test-optional admissions, initiated in May 2020 and made permanent in 2021, in response to challenges presented by the pandemic. This policy shift occurs as other trends in higher education admissions continue; for example, the Common Application organization reported a preliminary 15% year-over-year increase in international student applications for the Fall 2026 admission cycle, reaching over 250,000 applicants, according to its early data. Additionally, prestigious institutions, including Stanford University and MIT, have reported exceptionally low early decision/action acceptance rates, often in the single digits, for the Class of 2030, based on early data from institutional reports.
Key Takeaways
- The University of California System has reinstated the SAT and ACT requirement for all undergraduate applicants.
- This policy reversal is effective for the Fall 2027 application cycle, making score submission mandatory.
- The previous test-optional policy, initiated during the pandemic, has been concluded.
- Prospective applicants to UC campuses must now factor standardized test preparation and submission into their application plans for Fall 2027 and beyond.
People Also Ask
- When does the UC System's SAT/ACT requirement take effect?
- The reinstated SAT and ACT requirement by the University of California System takes effect for the Fall 2027 undergraduate application cycle, as announced on .
- Which standardized tests are now required by the UC System?
- The University of California System now requires applicants to submit scores from either the SAT or the ACT examination for undergraduate admissions, beginning with the Fall 2027 cycle, according to the UC Board of Regents.
- Why did the UC System reinstate standardized test requirements?
- The UC Board of Regents reinstated the requirement, reversing its test-optional policy, which was initially implemented during the pandemic. The decision was confirmed on .
- How does this decision affect international applicants to UC?
- All undergraduate applicants, including international students, to the University of California System for Fall 2027 must now submit SAT or ACT scores, as per the new policy confirmed by the UC Board of Regents.
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