The University of California is conducting a comprehensive review of undergraduate admissions policies, including the role of standardized testing and UC’s college-preparatory course requirements. The following FAQs provide information about the review process, timeline and current admissions policies. This document will be updated as the review advances and additional decisions are made through the University’s shared governance process.
Frequently asked questions
How does the University of California make changes to undergraduate admissions policy?
UC engages in a shared governance process. The Academic Senate, primarily through its Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS), will conduct a comprehensive review and develop policy recommendations based on research, data and consultation with key constituent groups. Those recommendations are then considered by the president of the University and ultimately reviewed by the Board of Regents, which decides whether to approve any proposed changes to undergraduate admissions policy.
What will be the Academic Senate’s faculty-led process for reviewing the University’s undergraduate admissions policies?
Under the Academic Senate’s governance process, the Academic Council has charged BOARS to conduct an evidence-based review of available data and to develop an initial report. BOARS’ review of UC’s A-G requirements will include consultation with representatives from the State Board of Education and K-12 subject matter specialists. BOARS will then submit its initial report to the Academic Council for consideration and any subsequent action.
Will a new UC admissions policy review roadmap be released after the July 22, 2026 Academic Council meeting? If so, what has changed and when will it be released?
Instead of a formal roadmap, the Academic Council has charged BOARS to review the role of standardized testing in admissions and the current A-G subject area requirements.
What is the timeline for review of standardized testing and A-G course requirements for UC admissions?
The Academic Council charged BOARS to deliver its report on standardized testing to the Council by February 12, 2027 — roughly halfway through the work period contemplated in the previously released roadmap. The report will inform the Academic Council's deliberations and does not represent a final policy decision. BOARS’ review of the University’s undergraduate admissions policies will then proceed on a timeline that aligns with the Board of Regents’ request to receive a policy recommendation on the use of standardized tests in admissions no later than June 2027.
BOARS’ work on A-G subject area requirements calls for an initial report to the Academic Council by May 2027.
Can this process be further expedited?
Any change to UC’s undergraduate admissions policies affects hundreds of thousands of applicants and prospective students each year. The University is committed to a careful, evidence-based review that considers available research, faculty expertise, student success, educational access, and the practical implications of any potential policy changes before decisions are made.
When is the soonest standardized testing could be reinstated, if that is the policy decision approved by the Board of Regents?
Any implementation planning would begin only after the Academic Senate completes its review and the Board of Regents considers any recommendations. The implementation process will be collaborative and informed by faculty expertise, campus leaders, institutional research, and engagement with other key constituents. In the meantime, no change to UC’s standardized testing policy will be made before the 2026–27 academic year concludes in June 2027. The University is committed to providing prospective students and their families with clear, timely guidance should any policy changes be approved by the Regents.
Will first-year applicants seeking fall 2027 admission need to submit SAT or ACT scores?
There has been no change to UC’s standardized testing policy at this time. Students applying by November 30, 2026, for fall 2027 admission will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores, nor will any other applicant for admission for fall 2027.
What about students applying for fall 2028 admission?
No decision has been made yet. Because the Academic Senate review has not formally started, the University has not determined whether admissions requirements for fall 2028, or any future admissions cycle, will change.
What should prospective students for fall 2027 and fall 2028 do now?
Prospective students should continue preparing for their UC application based on UC’s current undergraduate admissions requirements. If any policy changes are approved, the University will share them publicly in a timely fashion and make every effort to provide clear, advance notice to students, families, counselors, and schools.