College Entrance Exams

UC eliminated its standardized test requirement in 2020.

UC no longer considers SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. Test scores submitted as part of the application may be used as an alternate method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after matriculation at UC.

Students who plan to use test scores to meet a minimum subject requirement or for course placement should take their tests no later than December of the senior year/last year prior to high school/secondary school graduation.

Students can self-report ACT and/or SAT scores in the admission application, but they must first submit the application without scores. Once the application has been submitted, the student can log back into the application to report ACT or SAT scores. If a student self-reports a test score, they should provide the official score report when they receive an offer of admission from UC.

California State University System (CSU)

In March 2022, the CSU Board of Trustees approved the removal of the SAT and ACT standardized tests from undergraduate admissions processes. The decision followed the nearly two years during the COVID-19 pandemic when submitting those test scores was not required for CSU applicants.

“The decision by the Board of Trustees aligns with the California State University’s mission of access and our efforts to provide high-quality college degrees for students of all backgrounds,” says April Grommo, Ed.D., assistant vice chancellor for Enrollment Management Services. “We are eliminating a high-stakes test that can cause great stress on students and their families and does not add any additional predictive value over high school GPA. The CSU being test-free will better meet the needs of our future students.”

Private Colleges and Out of State

Varies by campus. Please visit the college websites for more information.