The University of California has hit pause on one of the biggest college admissions stories of the year.
Just weeks after announcing it would formally study whether to bring back the SAT or ACT as part of admissions, the UC Academic Senate has suspended its original review timeline. While some headlines suggest UC has backed away from reconsidering standardized testing, the reality is more nuanced: the review is still expected to happen, but on a different timeline. (San Francisco Chronicle)
So what does this mean for students planning to apply to UC? And what does it tell us about the future of college admissions?
What happened?
In June, the University of California announced plans to create two faculty working groups:
- One to evaluate whether standardized tests like the SAT or ACT should once again play a role in admissions.
- Another to review UC’s high school course requirements.
Last week, the faculty admissions committee voted to withdraw that published roadmap. Shortly afterward, the Academic Senate clarified that it has not abandoned the review—it is simply revising the process to ensure it is thorough and evidence-based. (San Francisco Chronicle)
For now, UC remains test-blind, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admissions decisions.
Why is UC reconsidering testing?
The conversation has shifted dramatically over the past year.
When UC eliminated testing during the pandemic, the primary concern was ensuring equitable access for students whose opportunities to prepare for standardized exams differed widely.
Today, many UC faculty members are raising a different concern: academic readiness.
More than 3,000 professors across STEM, humanities, and social science disciplines have signed letters urging the university to reconsider standardized testing. Faculty report seeing more first-year students struggling with foundational math, writing, and analytical reasoning than in previous years. Some have also expressed concerns that grade inflation and the increasing use of AI in college application essays make it harder to evaluate applicants using traditional measures alone. (Los Angeles Times)
Whether standardized testing is the right solution remains a matter of debate, but the discussion itself reflects a broader question facing selective colleges nationwide:
How can universities accurately identify students who are prepared to succeed?
Why pause the review now?
UC has not provided a detailed explanation, but reporting suggests the original timeline faced criticism from nearly every direction.
Supporters of reinstating testing believed waiting until 2028 was too slow. Opponents questioned whether the university should reconsider testing at all. By removing the formal roadmap, UC now has greater flexibility to determine both the timing and scope of its review. (San Francisco Chronicle)
In other words, this may not be a retreat from the issue—it may simply be a change in how UC approaches it.
What does this mean for current high school students?
For students applying over the next admission cycle, nothing changes.
UC campuses remain test-blind, so applicants should continue focusing on:
- Challenging coursework
- Strong grades
- Meaningful extracurricular involvement
- Well-developed application essays
- Thoughtful college planning
Students should not take the SAT solely because they hope UC will reverse course before they apply.
However, many students applying to UC are also applying to private universities or out-of-state public universities. A growing number of highly selective institutions—including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Yale—have already reinstated standardized testing requirements or recommendations. (Los Angeles Times)
For many California students, preparing for the SAT can still be a smart investment because it keeps more college options available.
Looking ahead
The broader trend in college admissions appears to be evolving.
Five years ago, many selective colleges moved away from standardized testing during the pandemic. Since then, several institutions have reviewed the data and decided to bring testing back as one component of a holistic admissions process.
Whether UC ultimately follows that path remains uncertain.
What is clear is that the conversation has expanded beyond the fairness of standardized testing. Universities are increasingly asking how to balance access, equity, and academic preparation while evaluating record numbers of highly qualified applicants.
As that conversation continues, students are best served by building a strong academic foundation—not simply preparing for one particular admissions policy.
Our advice
Families should avoid making significant testing decisions based on changing headlines.
Instead, develop a college admissions strategy that keeps as many opportunities open as possible. For many students, that means preparing for the SAT or ACT while also focusing on the factors that have always mattered most: rigorous coursework, strong grades, meaningful activities, and authentic applications.
Admissions policies may change. A strong education never goes out of style.
