Just months ago, the University of California’s Board of Regents waived the SAT / ACT testing requirement at the UC schools for the Classes of 2025 and 2026. They also announced that for the Classes of 2027 and 2028, the UC schools would no longer consider the submission of these scores for in-state California residents. Rather, the scores would be considered only for out-of-state U.S. residents and international applicants. Well, if that wasn’t bad enough news for the makers of these exams, College Board and ACT, it seems they’ve been struck another blow as a superior court judge has ruled that the UC system can no longer consider the SAT and ACT in its admissions process. As we don’t envision the UC system successfully challenging this decision in the current climate, we see the banging of this judge’s gavel as sounding the death knell to the exams that have long been central to the admissions process at these public California institutions.

Judge Prohibits Consideration of SAT and ACT Scores in UC Admissions

As Jenn Selva and Leah Asmelash report for CNN in a piece entitled “University of California System can’t use SAT and ACT tests for admissions, judge rules,” “The judge’s ruling Monday went even further, prohibiting the consideration of scores from students who still chose to submit them. ‘The current COVID 19 pandemic has resulted in restrictions in the availability of test sites,’ [Judge Brad] Seligman said in his ruling. ‘While test-taking opportunities for all students have been limited, for persons with disabilities, the ability to obtain accommodations or even to locate suitable test locations for the test are ‘almost nil’.’ In a statement, a spokesperson for the University of California said it ‘respectfully disagrees with the Court’s ruling.’ ‘An injunction may interfere with the University’s efforts to implement an appropriate and comprehensive admissions policies and its ability to attract and enroll students of diverse backgrounds and experiences,’ the spokesperson said. The UC system said it is considering further legal action in the case, and pointed to an increase in admission of low-income and first-generation-to-college-students for fall 2020.”

Do our readers think the UC schools will be able to successfully challenge this judge’s ruling? In light of the current climate, will the schools phone in their challenge? Did the judge’s ruling go too far? Should other universities across America be concerned that judges are going to outlaw the consideration of the SAT and ACT in the college admissions process? We’re curious to hear from our readers so post a Comment below and we’ll be sure to jump in on the conversation.