WHAT JUST HAPPENED WITH STANDARDIZED TESTING AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO ABOUT IT?

The University of California system just made a big shift to the standardized testing landscape. While the UC system was already going test optional, the UC Board of Regents voted unanimously on May 21 to this timeline of changes:

1. Test optional for students applying in 2021 and 2022.

2. Test blind for students applying in 2023 and 2024.

3. Elimination of the use of the writing test on applications, effective immediately. 

4. Elimination of SAT and ACT requirements by 2025. 

5. Development of a new, independent standardized test for the UC system. 

Why such seemingly drastic decisions? Especially when the decision to go test optional was only made in April? 

Well for one, the choice to go test optional already told us the UC was going to evaluate whether they could go about the process of admitting students without the use of the SAT or ACT. Reasons for going test optional, at least in the short run, include increasing the diversity of the applicant pool and encouraging more disadvantaged students without a test score to apply. 

At the same time, UC conducted its own two-year, internal study on the impact of standardized testing. The report specifically cites the reasons above, that standardized testing has become a limiting factor for disadvantaged students accessing higher education. Note that it was not just an SAT/ACT issue; the report also explicitly calls out the Smarter Balanced Assessment as not fit for replacement, implying that UC is intent on developing a new test internally instead of finding a new test built by others to use. 

However, the report also hesitates, stating “Assembly members were not as enthusiastic about the proposal to develop a new suite of assessments, including the nine-year timeline proposed for that effort”, citing financial expenses and further stressing test takers that may end up taking more tests beyond the SAT/ACT. 

So what might this new UC standardized test look like? 

It’s really hard to say at this point, but there is a desire to use real world scenarios to test students’ critical thinking. UCLA Professor Li Cai, said he strongly supported University of California president Janet Napolitano recommendations and stated that there was evidence that testing based on simulations and real performance could reveal more about students’ reasoning, potential, problem solving and critical thinking skills, factors important to college and career success.

Below is a detailed overview of the changes and how it impacts students in forthcoming application cycles:

How will changes impact students?

It’s perhaps better to look at it from different student categories:

Students Graduating in 2021 and 2022

For students graduating 2021 and 2022, things don’t change substantially -- even though the UC will go test optional for the next two application cycles, they will still consider the SAT or ACT in their admission review and it does provide additional confirmation on whether the student is ready to enter college. 

Additionally, top US universities have thus far not expressed a desire to completely forego using standardized tests. Cornell stated that even though they are going test optional for the coming application cycle, they still believe that the SAT/ACT is a “meaningful differentiator” when assessing a large pool of applicants. 

For students graduating from in 2021 and 2022, especially those desiring to go to more selective colleges, keep studying for the SAT or ACT.

Students Struggling to Get Higher SAT or ACT Scores

For students who struggle to get the scores they want on the SAT or ACT, this is a godsend! The test-optional movement recognizes that standardized tests do not tell the student’s whole story and it allows other parts of the student’s profile to shine. 

Thus, it will push admissions officers to look at other parts of the student’s record, especially grades in core courses and in advanced placement classes (AP’s). There is no indication that the UC’s (or any other university system) will go “score-blind” on AP test scores -- though AP test scores were never a significant part of most application review rubrics anyways.

Students who don’t submit test scores will need to focus on their grades, take challenging courses, including advanced placement classes, and get involved in extracurricular activities that highlight their strengths and interests. Removing the SAT and ACT from the admission review means other parts of a student’s profile become more important. 

Students Graduating in 2023 and Beyond

For students graduating in 2023 and beyond, we need to wait and see if other universities around the US adopt the same policy as the UC. There is a growing movement of colleges going test-optional or test-blind but top universities have been reluctant to jump on board (as noted earlier with Cornell). If the UC is happy with early prototypes of their own standardized test, they may consider sharing (or more likely “licensing”) the test with other colleges or university systems by 2025 -- if so, more colleges may consider going test optional or test-blind earlier. 

So for students graduating in 2023 and beyond, if you’re aiming for more selective universities or liberal arts colleges (top 50 universities and top 25 liberal arts colleges), plan on taking the SAT or ACT. Likely those schools will still consider the test in their admissions process. But similar to students who may withhold submitting their test scores, be mindful to continue taking more challenging courses and maintain a high GPA.

Non-California Resident or International Students

For non-California resident students, you should definitely plan on taking the SAT or ACT. The UC’s plan to go test-blind is primarily for in-state students. The reason they’re able to do this is that the UC system pre-approves every course in almost every California high school (A-G course list) and grades from those high schools do give a decent picture of a student’s potential to be successful in college. 

Unfortunately, the variance in high school curriculums across the US, let alone across the world, makes it difficult for admissions officers to rely solely on a student’s transcript. Thus, including the SAT or ACT, in addition to the TOEFL, and in some cases, SAT subject tests and AP test scores, in the application review process helps universities assess whether a student will transition well into college. 

Thus, for non-resident students, plan and prepare for the SAT or ACT. 

Certainly, there are specific student cases we didn’t cover and perhaps you have questions like “How many AP’s are enough?” or “What GPA’s are top schools looking for?” We’d be happy to  answer any of these questions and more -- set up a free consultation HERE and look forward to connecting soon. 

Thanks and stay safe and well!