The time really is up for the SAT and ACT at the University of California schools. In a Thursday ruling, a California state appeals court ruled — in a unanimous decision from through a three-judge panel — that SAT and ACT scores cannot be considered in the UC admissions process for at least the 2021-2022 academic year. As our readers may remember, the UC Regents previously voted to drop the SAT and ACT as requirements in its admissions process, but applicants this year and next year could still voluntarily submit the scores. But that essentially was a “test-optional” policy and our loyal readers know “test-optional” policies mean very little (and that’s putting it kindly). This decision essentially overrides the previous “test-optional” policy for this year and next.

State Appeals Court Rules Against Consideration of SAT and ACT in UC Admissions

As CBS San Fransisco reports in a piece on the SAT and ACT ruling, “Student applicants to the University of California can’t submit their standardized test scores with their admissions as the system works to phase out the exam requirements, a state appeals court ruled Thursday. UC regents voted in May to drop the SAT and ACT test scores as admission requirements but permitted individual campuses to allow optional, voluntary submissions for 2021 and 2022. A lawsuit says the scores place low-income students, minorities and people with disabilities at an unfair disadvantage. A judge issued an injunction in August, which led to an appeal.”

A Win for the Test-Blind Movement

In sum, the SAT and ACT were on their way out at the University of California schools. And now these tests are on their way out even faster than anticipated. It’s a landmark decision for the consideration of testing in college admissions. It’s a landmark decision for the biggest customer of the makers of the SAT and ACT — The College Board and ACT, Inc., respectively. And it’s a landmark decision for all students who seek to earn admission to the UC schools without test scores. The times, they are a-changin’. Oh yes they are!