SAT Subject Tests

While SAT Subject Tests are not required, some campuses recommend that students vying for slots in competitive majors take the tests to demonstrate subject proficiency.

Recommended SAT Subject Tests

Remember, these are recommendations, not mandates. You will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests.

Campus recommendations

A few UC campuses recommend you take certain SAT Subject Test recommendations for specific colleges or schools, and majors. Even if subject tests are not recommended, they do add merit to a student's application.

Berkeley

College of Chemistry and College of Engineering: Along with looking for evidence of high academic performance in math and science, the presence of SAT Subject Tests, particularly in a science and Math Level 2, is considered a plus.

Davis

SAT Subject Tests are not recommended in any area.

Irvine

SAT Subject Test scores serve as a value-added component in the application evaluation.

Los Angeles

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science: Math Level 2 and science are recommended and considered as value-added achievements during the application evaluation.

Merced

SAT Subject Tests are not recommended in any area.

Riverside

College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Bourns College of Engineering: Math Level 2 and Chemistry or Physics are strongly recommended.

San Diego

Jacobs School of Engineering and Division of Biological Sciences: SAT Subject Tests in Math Level 2 and science are recommended and considered as value-added achievements during the application evaluation.

Santa Barbara

College of Engineering: Math Level 2.

College of Creative Studies:

  • Literature for literature majors
  • Math Level 2 for math majors
  • Math Level 2 and Physics for physics majors
  • Biology for biology majors
  • Chemistry for biochemistry and chemistry majors
  • Math Level 2 for computer science majors

College of Letters and Science: Although they won't be required, test scores will be considered as value-added achievements during the application evaluation.

Santa Cruz

SAT Subject Tests are not recommended in any area.