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When the Covid-19 pandemic seriously disrupted the ability of students to take SATs and ACTs, many colleges and universities, including the University of California and California State University systems, either made standardized tests optional or dropped the requirement for admissions. Now, Dartmouth is the first to say that either SATs or ACTs will be required again for fall 2024 applicants, and a few other universities, including Harvard, are following this path.
Even before the pandemic, equity concerns were often cited as reasons these tests should not be required; both the UC and Cal State systems have maintained that they will continue to be SAT- and ACT-free.
To learn what university students think about the potential return of standardized testing, EdSource’s California Student Journalism Corps asked them the following questions at seven California colleges and universities:
“While UC and Cal State have said there are no plans to change their test-free policy, in place since 2020, do you think standardized tests such as these should return? Why or why not?”
Below are their responses.
(Click on the names or images below to read what each person had to say.)
Alex Soriano
Third-year accounting major at San Diego State University
Alex Soriano opposes the return of standardized tests, suggesting that there should be “more holistic ways” to evaluate students equitably. However, he is unsure of what an alternative might look like.
“In my opinion, based on evaluating different skills … I feel like (the test) doesn’t really evaluate knowledge on the same level,” he said. “I think bringing back standardized tests would bring back [equity] issues.”
To showcase the disparity of standardized test scores, Soriano references EdGap.org. The website features a map that displays the median household income of neighborhoods and the average SAT and ACT scores in those areas. The map indicates that high-income areas exhibit well-performing test scores in comparison to those from low-income areas.
“Coming from the upper-middle-class area of San Diego, my area was super high (in SAT and ACT scores), and it made sense,” Soriano said. “A lot of my friends could afford to pay for the extra tutoring; they could pay for a counselor that can come in and work on standardized test prep, and not everybody is able to afford those services.”
By Jazlyn Dieguez
Chase Rodriguez
Third-year kinesiology major at San Diego State University
“I think they should (return) just because I think it’s a good (performance assessment) other than grades for colleges because some high schools inflate their GPAs,” Rodriguez said. “It’s kind of a middle ground.”
After taking the SAT exam once, Rodriguez was satisfied with the “OK” score he received since he wasn’t planning to apply to any universities with a high SAT requirement. Instead, he opted to attend Modesto Junior College and has since transferred to San Diego State University.
“It’s weird because I know some people are not great test-takers and some students haven’t had the luxury of being in certain classes or receiving tutoring,” he said. “Some people were spending crazy amounts of money to have a good SAT and ACT score. I wasn’t one of those guys, I was just happy with whatever I got.”
By Jazlyn Dieguez
“No, I do not believe standardized testing should be reinstated,” Kattaa said. “The SATs are a disadvantage for most college applicants.”
Kattaa believes that “a student’s GPA, extracurriculars, admission essays, and letters of recommendation speak more (about) a student’s academic and personal achievements. They are more than just one test.”
Kattaa also believes that the absence of required standardized tests has increased diversity on college campuses.
By Aya Mikbel
Javeria Naseer
Freshman studying civil engineering at California State University, Sacramento
“I believe that standardized tests such as these should not return due to the amount of pressure it puts onto students and the possible disadvantage regarding admission status,” Naseer said. However, she sees the advantage of the tests being provided “for those who want to show more dedication.”
She understands that colleges and universities are looking for “well-rounded students; academics certainly play a greater role when applying to college.”
But Naseer is concerned that when students don’t have high scores, “It may cause them to be looked down upon, (and) there are other factors such as general academics or volunteer service that should be prioritized as well.”
Naseer continued, “As a student who didn’t take these tests, I feel that doing so allowed me to focus and improve on other areas of my studies/experience.”
By Aya Mikbel
Denise Garcia
First-year biochemistry major at University of California, Los Angeles
“No, I don’t think these tests should be brought back,” Garcia said. “I think there should be a different type of examination process. I didn’t take the ACT or SAT and got in (to UCLA). I think they don’t really evaluate the student as a whole.”
Garcia added that she thinks the tests don’t “give a very good evaluation of students, academically speaking.”
By Delilah Brumer
Nikki Wolin
Fourth-year English major at University of California, Los Angeles
“We got rid of the SAT and ACT requirements a few years ago, and I honestly think that it’s more fair for people to not have (these tests) as a requirement,” Wolin said.
Wolin said she was able to get SAT tutoring, but it was expensive for her family, and she’s “very aware that not everyone can afford that.”
“While I did have a leg up, I know that it wasn’t fair to everyone,” Wolin said. “I think abolishing that requirement was a step in the right direction. I wish I had a better solution for a replacement, but I don’t. At least now, I know they’re focusing on a more holistic approach, which I think is more fair.”
By Delilah Brumer
Thomas Bar
Fourth-year math major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
“I think it depends on the college,” Bar said. “For a school like Cal Poly, where a majority of what they are going to take into account is your GPA and test scores, it is different from a private college where they are going to take a more holistic approach.”
As a student who participated in examinations for his admission into Cal Poly, Bar said that he believed the university could benefit from reinstating test scores in exams, to add more depth to applications.
“Right now, Cal Poly doesn’t use essays, so all the application really consists of is biographical information and GPA,” Bar said. “I think there should be another component, like SATs or ACT scores. I think for a school that requires just such minimal information about the applicants, they should require it.”
By Arabel Meyer
Andrea Martinez
First-year student studying sociology and statistics at UC Berkeley
“They should be test-free because it makes admissions more equal, and all higher SAT scores usually come with higher preparation,” Martinez said.
Martinez said she hopes UCs and CSUs would not require test scores because she finds inequality when colleges use standardized test scores for admissions. The SAT takes preparation and financial resources that not all students can access, according to Martinez.
“I came from a low-income community and rural community,” she said. “There was no such thing as SAT prep.”
Martinez only realized the importance of SAT preparation when her peers began to discuss private tutoring and other resources they had access to. She hopes that remaining test-free will provide greater opportunities for students, regardless of their financial position.
By Kelcie Lee
Alyssa Chiu
First-year student studying applied mathematics at UC Berkeley
“Having it is a good idea,” Chiu said. “However, the SAT, when you take it, you can learn how to get a good score. So in a way, it’s almost rigged.”
She had mixed feelings when it comes to the SAT and ACT; she understands the purposes of assessing students, but also acknowledged flaws of using standardized tests for admissions.
“Even if you do get a good score, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re meant to go to one of these top schools.”
She believes a better option would involve the UCs making their own test that is “more knowledge-based,” as opposed to the memorization involved in prepping for the SAT.
“Ultimately, it’s a weird in-between of whether you should have it or not,” Chiu said.
By Kelcie Lee
Kate Williams
Third-year communications student at Sonoma State University
“I personally think the tests aren’t necessary or helpful. I don’t think they are proof of intelligence.”
Williams transferred from Berkeley City College to Sonoma State in 2023. She did not have to take a standardized test to get admitted.
“I know people in my life that have told me about their experiences, and that they felt that the test was not concrete proof of whether or not they are intelligent.”
By Ally Valiente
Bernales said that he does not support standardized tests making a return because “the tests favor those that have access to more resources.”
He is dissatisfied with the inequity. “Families with money can get tutors to help educate their kids to do better and can afford for them to take it multiple times to improve, while some families may not be able to afford it,” Bernales said.
“Along with that,” he continued, “the [high] school’s funding also can affect the results of the test since a better funded school tends to have higher scores.”
By Ally Valiente
Maddy Mlouk
First-year psychology major at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
“No, because I think a lot of people just aren’t good test takers, and a lot of it’s just really generalized knowledge,” Mlouk said.
Mlouk said she did not get a good score on the SAT, but she had a high GPA, which helped her.
“I consider (myself) a pretty smart person, but the test does not reflect that at all,” she said.
Mlouk said standardized tests like the SAT and ACT aren’t helpful for people who are not good test takers.
“It would limit their chances even though they could excel at that school,” Mlouk said.
By Ashley Bolter
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Paul Muench 1 month ago1 month ago
The best predictor of college success is college success. Switch to a system of open enrollment with the current high school graduation minimums. Many CSUs effectively already have open enrollment, so just need to work on the most selective CSUs and UC. We are so close to automated grading this should be feasible very soon.
What's doubly tragic for students who couldn't otherwise get into a Cal State or UC school is that, once they graduate, the value of their diploma will not have the currency in our capitalistic system that it once did. It's totally unfair that they received poor public educations, and they have every right to expect the same quality of life as their peers from affluent neighborhoods. But "fairness" has little to do with the reality … Read More
What’s doubly tragic for students who couldn’t otherwise get into a Cal State or UC school is that, once they graduate, the value of their diploma will not have the currency in our capitalistic system that it once did. It’s totally unfair that they received poor public educations, and they have every right to expect the same quality of life as their peers from affluent neighborhoods.
But “fairness” has little to do with the reality of the world. It’s almost for certain that students who couldn’t have made it into Cal Sate or UC on their own intellectual merits will have trouble finding college graduate level work outside of government jobs (which continue the same requirements “”hiring approach” as California colleges have). What will almost certainly happen is that non-public graduate school will become the new “college standard.” They will use the GRE or other such test, and few will be admitted.
Parents need to demand more from our public K-12 schools than just graduation and getting their children into college. We have tests that show how poorly our public K-12 students are doing. School leaders should have to worry about keeping their jobs when test scores fall. At present, they don’t.
Timothy Kral 2 months ago2 months ago
There are two primary competing arguments regarding the SAT, with an underlying argument that is not generally visible to most people. The primary argument for is the SAT is a reliable predictor of students' success at a university. That argument that three hours in a testing room reveals sufficient data to be considered reliable once the student is accepted and enrolled. A countervailing argument made after Depaul University and the University of Chicago eliminated the … Read More
There are two primary competing arguments regarding the SAT, with an underlying argument that is not generally visible to most people. The primary argument for is the SAT is a reliable predictor of students’ success at a university. That argument that three hours in a testing room reveals sufficient data to be considered reliable once the student is accepted and enrolled. A countervailing argument made after Depaul University and the University of Chicago eliminated the SAT is that cumulative real GPA is at least as good an indicator or predictability.
We know that the SAT has embedded bias because wealthy families are able to afford (test preparation) for their children. Consider a high achieving 1st generation student whose parents are working two jobs just to put food on the table, versus an upper middle-class family who can afford the cost of test preparation. An underlying factor not seen by most student families and high school districts is that the SAT itself creates a construct affecting the “business model” for universities in that virtually all of them are wedded to (purchasing names from the testing agencies) of students who signed up to take the exam. This has created an artificial one-year recruiting cycle that is currently impacting thousands of universities because of the enrollment cliff.
Universities like Penn State whose CFO recently stated, “we need more than a balanced budget; we need a sustainable model.” Slowly we are seeing universities moving into the distressed category because enrollments supporting their annual operating budgets. Our organization working with Stanford University and UCSB have created a platform for pipeline engagement to increase yield over time with real cumulative GPA. To evaluate and enroll all students like if they are star athletes on a level playing field. Forward thinking superintendents in California see the value of making this direct connection to UCSB as critical for their community.
We also know the parents of our students, especially 1st gen, are highly engaged far beyond the SAT making these vital connections directly with university admissions. In sum the SAT has value, but we should be cognizant that the university and student families are gated by this pathology when cumulative GPA and direct connections are in fact possible.
As a retired English high school teacher, I am surprised how a few students only lightly mentioned the significance of the four UC personal insight questions required by all freshman and transfer applicants. In my opinion, the student written essays are more telling about the academic ability, character and maturity of each applicant. How holistic do you want to get????UC is wise to eliminate the submission of SAT/ACT scores, artificial and superficial … Read More
As a retired English high school teacher, I am surprised how a few students only lightly mentioned the significance of the four UC personal insight questions required by all freshman and transfer applicants. In my opinion, the student written essays are more telling about the academic ability, character and maturity of each applicant. How holistic do you want to get????
UC is wise to eliminate the submission of SAT/ACT scores, artificial and superficial guidelines, factoring into their admissions process. They have enough evidence, in most cases, to make their admission decisions.
JudiAU 2 months ago2 months ago
If the UC and colleges was evaluating essays written solely by students without the input of everyone from everyone from parents, caregivers, guidance counselors, family friends, paid consultants, affinity groups, school teachers, and the dog down the street that would be the true. However, many essays have been manipulated to the extreme even if the students has been lead to believe it was just "read" and "suggestions" were made. This happens across all income … Read More
If the UC and colleges was evaluating essays written solely by students without the input of everyone from everyone from parents, caregivers, guidance counselors, family friends, paid consultants, affinity groups, school teachers, and the dog down the street that would be the true. However, many essays have been manipulated to the extreme even if the students has been lead to believe it was just “read” and “suggestions” were made. This happens across all income and education brackets. The only way to see an actual writing sample is you guessed it, something like the SAT/ISEE/SSAT which is why schools prize them.
The SAT/ACT is another way to identify both talent and work ethic, and schools are right to understand that many kids are lost without those scores, particularly with rampant grade inflation. When my child was competing for a high school scholarship, he took all 11 practice SAT exams on Khan Academy as a 12 year old until he was sure he could earn the score he wanted. That is work ethic. Students do well … Read More
The SAT/ACT is another way to identify both talent and work ethic, and schools are right to understand that many kids are lost without those scores, particularly with rampant grade inflation. When my child was competing for a high school scholarship, he took all 11 practice SAT exams on Khan Academy as a 12 year old until he was sure he could earn the score he wanted. That is work ethic.
Students do well on the SAT because they study and they train and they are hungry. There are many free tools to help them do so. Expensive tutoring services do not lodge information into the brain. Those services merely make sure the studying happens in an overscheduled life. The real work still has to happen by the student. And there is talent everywhere in America, and frankly grades show nothing these days. They are practically making admissions officers choke, particularly when paired with lousy AP test scores.
So “when you didn’t study” and “only took it one time” but you “don’t test well” and “it isn’t fair” because you have a 4.0 GPA, what score do you really, actually think is the correct one?
Donna Lynn 2 months ago2 months ago
It makes sense that students don't want the SAT or ACT to be reinstated, but I do not agree. I would love to hear from the faculty at the colleges to know what they think. After all, they are the ones who have to teach these students. My niece graduated high school in 2022 and was not at all prepared for college. In high school she received grades she did not earn and should have … Read More
It makes sense that students don’t want the SAT or ACT to be reinstated, but I do not agree. I would love to hear from the faculty at the colleges to know what they think. After all, they are the ones who have to teach these students.
My niece graduated high school in 2022 and was not at all prepared for college. In high school she received grades she did not earn and should have never been allowed to graduate. In college she could not handle the work she was given and failed every class her first semester. She was on academic probation and has now dropped out. Had she taken the SAT and done poorly, she would have realized that you can’t skate through life, and you have to do the work.
Many of your respondents have completely missed the point of standardized testing. The SAT is not an "intelligence test" and that is one of it's strengths. It is a measure of how well you prepare for a test. You don't have to be super smart to do well on the SAT however you do have to prepare. Only lazy kids need tutors to prepare for the SAT, there is a huge amount of material for … Read More
Many of your respondents have completely missed the point of standardized testing. The SAT is not an “intelligence test” and that is one of it’s strengths. It is a measure of how well you prepare for a test. You don’t have to be super smart to do well on the SAT however you do have to prepare. Only lazy kids need tutors to prepare for the SAT, there is a huge amount of material for free, including previous tests, books at the library, and YouTube videos.
The SAT measures preparation, not intelligence. You can also take it numerous times and improve your score. For low income students the test is free and widely available. Take it every month. Studies have shown that SAT scores predict college success better than any other metric.
“Holistic” come up several times. How would a college evaluate evaluate students from diverse backgrounds holistically? Applicants come from different school districts, home schooled, religious schools, and different countries. How do you evaluate across these different backgrounds?
el 2 months ago2 months ago
In my experience, what the SAT measures is speed, confidence under pressure, and the ability to exactly align your mindset with the people who made the exam.A good score on the SAT is information – people who are good at the SAT are often very good at school. A good score from someone who comes from a disadvantaged background, either personally or educationally, is an indication to take another look. On the other hand, a … Read More
In my experience, what the SAT measures is speed, confidence under pressure, and the ability to exactly align your mindset with the people who made the exam.
A good score on the SAT is information – people who are good at the SAT are often very good at school. A good score from someone who comes from a disadvantaged background, either personally or educationally, is an indication to take another look. On the other hand, a mediocre or even a poor score is often not information. Talented people who really think a problem through, who don’t like to rush, who like to be careful and certain, these people are also at a disadvantage for the SAT.
Having dedicated time and space to prepare is essential no matter what category you’re in, and that is not always in the student’s control.
I don’t think it’s wrong to have an exam, but I do think there could be a better one. I was glad to see the trend to have it given in more schools and often during the school day, rather than how I had to take it, an hour’s drive from my home in a strange and unfamiliar location, early in the morning, full of anxiety that I wouldn’t find the right place on time.
I’m good at these tests, but I know a lot of smart and capable people who aren’t.
I disagree that "a mediocre or even a poor score is often not information". The SAT does not measure intelligence nor is it a prognostic for success in life. It is highly prognostic for identifying students who will do well at highly competitive universities. Not every student needs to go to a university, much less a highly competitive one. "Talented people who really think a problem through, who don’t like to rush, who like to … Read More
I disagree that “a mediocre or even a poor score is often not information”. The SAT does not measure intelligence nor is it a prognostic for success in life. It is highly prognostic for identifying students who will do well at highly competitive universities. Not every student needs to go to a university, much less a highly competitive one. “Talented people who really think a problem through, who don’t like to rush, who like to be careful and certain” these people are likely better off at a less competitive school that will allow them to pursue their interests in a less demanding way.
Agree with your remarks about venue and as I mentioned above students who are interested in attending an elite school should take the test repeatedly and try to improve their score each time.
