WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE COURT RULING barring the UC from using SAT/ACT Scores
Elton Lin
Earlier this summer, the University of California Board of Regents voted unanimously to adopt sweeping changes to the UC’s admission testing requirements. These changes included:
Test optional (test scores may be submitted and reviewed but are not required) for students applying in 2021 and 2022.
Test blind (test scores will not be considered for admissions) for students applying in 2023 and 2024.
Elimination of the use of the writing test on applications, effective immediately.
Elimination of SAT and ACT requirements by 2025.
Development of a new, independent standardized test for the UC system.
These seemingly drastic changes actually stem from a two-year, internal study on the impact of standardized testing. The report explicitly cites the disproportionate impact that standardized testing has on disadvantaged students’ access to higher education.
In addition, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has made it unsafe for many students to sit in close proximity to take a four-hour exam, and because of test cancellations in the spring and summer, fewer testing spaces have been available to students during the pandemic. This has created a huge backlog of students wanting to take the standardized tests this fall and winter.
COURTS MANDATING THE UC GO TEST BLIND FOR 2020
On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, a California state court noted the pandemic’s effect on students’ access to standardized tests; most notably, disabled students’ access has been limited. The ruling states that the California Disabled Persons Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) require that students with disabilities cannot be penalized in their admissions for not taking a standardized test.
Because of students’ inability to take standardized tests during the pandemic, many universities have adopted test-optional application policies. While many test-optional policies claim that a student will not be penalized in their admissions if they do not submit a test score, the fact that a court is on the record with this ruling demonstrates that a case can be made that a test-optional policy may result in discrimination against disabled students. Essentially, disabled students may not have the added advantage that submitting a test score might grant, even if it’s not a requirement for application.
UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Irvine have stated that they will be implementing test-blind policies this year. Last year, these three schools combined reviewed more than 250,000 applicants. Whether the rest of the UC system will follow this preliminary injunction is still unclear, and if the entire UC system adopts this policy and sets this precedent, other colleges may also shift to test-blind admissions in the near future.
IMPLICATIONS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BEYOND 2020
So what happens from here?
Assuming the UC doesn’t appeal the ruling, then all nine UC campuses must go test-blind for the upcoming admissions cycle of 2020-2021 (the ruling only applies to this current admissions cycle).
What happens beyond this cycle really depends on how the lack of test scores impact the overall admissions results. A few scenarios to consider:
Following the lead of the UC system, we may see a growing movement among public universities that will incorporate test-blind policies, potentially as soon as this admissions cycle. Already, three-fifths of four-year colleges are test-optional for this admissions cycle, over 1,450 schools! Admissions deans at these schools may look at the UC example and conclude that it’s just a short step away from a test-blind admissions policy--at least for the duration of the pandemic. They may view a temporary test-blind policy as a change that may avoid future discrimination lawsuits.
Because of this widespread move towards decreasing the prominence of standardized tests in the admissions process, the test-optional movement may gain momentum on a more permanent basis. Even after the current pandemic, we may see fewer and fewer schools requiring standardized testing as a part of admissions.
However, it’s unlikely that standardized testing will disappear altogether. The fact remains that international applicants’ English levels will continue to be ascertained with tests like the IELTS or TOEFL, and AP and IB tests will continue to be administered to assess students’ high school achievements for college credit. And don’t forget that the UC itself is contemplating creating its own standardized test. Though the content and name of the test or testing organization may change, standardized testing will likely remain a fact of life for college-going students.
SO WHAT SHOULD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DO?
Prepare for and take the SAT/ACT if you can. While SAT or ACT test scores may be optional or not even considered as a part of this year’s admissions process, it will still be considered for scholarship applications and admissions guarantees at some schools. Most colleges will still be test-optional and NOT test-blind, for at least several years. This means that a high standardized test score can not only help your admissions chances, it may contribute to your bottom line as well.
Focus on building up other parts of your profile. This shift away from standardized testing is great news for students who do not normally excel in standardized testing. If this type of testing is not your forte, use the time that you would have invested in preparing for and taking the tests to focus on extracurricular activities you love instead (e.g. community volunteering, opening your own business, starting a blog, mentoring/tutoring kids online, etc.). You can rest assured that testing will be less of a focal point in the college admissions process this year and it’ll provide more time for you to discover new interests and strengthen your college application profile in other ways.
The 2020 admissions changes may seem complex and overwhelming -- whether it’s building a school list or bolstering your resume in these last few months. But we’re happy to help! We offer free consultations and can discuss how we can help students navigate this process with greater confidence and clarity -- click on the link above and look forward to meeting with you soon!