Recent minutes from UC’s Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, known as BOARS, show that faculty are actively reconsidering whether the system needs some form of standardized academic measure again.
The issue is not simply whether UC should “bring back the SAT.” The larger concern is whether grades and course titles alone give campuses enough reliable information about student readiness, especially in math-heavy majors. BOARS discussed whether Smarter Balanced scores, SAT/ACT scores, revised math requirements, or some combination of these tools could help UC better evaluate preparation.
The strongest push appears to come from UC San Diego, where faculty raised concerns about students entering without adequate math preparation. In the February 2026 BOARS minutes, UCSD’s Academic Senate Vice Chair said being able to use standardized test scores for admissions would be the “best solution” for that campus. The minutes also note concerns about grade inflation and whether UCSD should adjust for it.
The concern is not limited to UCSD. Berkeley’s committee was having ongoing discussions about the UCSD report and reviewing an informal faculty survey on the use of standardized tests. UCLA’s committee had requested data related to math performance, and by March its vice chair and Undergraduate Council chair were creating a working group on math placement issues. That does not mean UCLA was explicitly pushing to restore admissions testing immediately, but it shows the readiness conversation has spread to several of UC’s most selective campuses.
In March, BOARS reviewed evidence comparing high school GPA, Smarter Balanced, and SAT scores. The analysis found no meaningful difference between high school GPA plus Smarter Balanced and high school GPA plus SAT. High school GPA alone remained useful, but BOARS also noted limits in these measures, especially for predicting persistence into the second year.
One possible path is a hybrid model. BOARS members discussed allowing California students to submit 11th-grade Smarter Balanced scores, while out-of-state students could submit SAT or ACT scores. Some members also argued that campuses should have flexibility to use standardized scores for admissions where appropriate. Any move to use standardized tests for admissions, including Smarter Balanced, would require approval from the UC Regents.
The shift is significant. For years, UC’s test-free policy appeared settled. These minutes suggest the subject has been reopened. Faculty are now asking whether eliminating standardized testing solved inequity—or simply removed one imperfect signal while leaving campuses with less information about readiness.
For families, the takeaway is simple: UC is still test-free today. Students should not assume SAT or ACT scores will count this year unless UC formally changes its policy. But the faculty discussion has clearly moved. UC is no longer just debating tests. It is debating how to measure preparation in a world of grade inflation, uneven K-12 standards, and rising concern about whether admitted students are ready for the work ahead.