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Hundreds of UC STEM professors demand SAT/ACT math scores return by 2027, citing severe preparation gaps and equity concerns.
More than 600 faculty members across the University of California system have signed a petition urging the reinstatement of mandatory SAT or ACT mathematics scores for undergraduate STEM applicants, arguing that current test‑optional policies leave large preparation gaps and threaten equity [3].
Key takeaways
The petition, first signed by UC Berkeley mathematics professors Svetlana Jitomirskaya and Zvezdelina Stankova, cites a UC San Diego admissions study that documented a dramatic rise in underprepared students since the university went test‑blind in 2020 [1]. The study reported that, over a five‑year span, the cohort of freshmen whose math skills were below high‑school level grew almost thirtyfold, and among those, nearly 70% performed below middle‑school level [1][3].
At UC Berkeley, a diagnostic exam given to Calculus I students between 2021 and 2023 revealed a widening divide between well‑prepared entrants and those with severe deficits. Students who correctly answered zero to two of eight math topics were classified as having a severe preparation deficit, and 46% of this group failed to pass Calculus I in fall 2023 [2]. Faculty such as Stankova recount having to spend office‑hour time on basic algebra concepts, noting a drop in class attendance and participation when teaching Calculus II in 2023 and again in fall 2025 [2].
Signatories argue that the current reliance on GPA, essays, and “soft” metrics like extracurriculars does not reliably indicate readiness for rigorous STEM coursework, especially amid grade inflation and AI‑generated applications [1][3]. They contend that standardized math scores provide an objective measure that can help students from under‑resourced schools demonstrate competence, countering the notion that such tests are inherently inequitable. As Jitomirskaya put it, “When you remove scores, you pivot to ‘soft’ metrics… the SAT is the only objective way for a brilliant student from an under‑resourced school to ‘break through’” [2].
The petition also seeks greater faculty involvement in setting “readiness standards” and shaping admissions policies. The UC Academic Senate’s Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools is drafting a proposal to work with K‑12 leaders on college readiness, and the Senate will vote on reinstating the math test requirement, pending Board of Regents approval [2].
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The debate highlights a broader tension between efforts to broaden access and the need to ensure academic preparedness in STEM fields. If the test‑optional policy remains, faculty warn that preparation gaps will continue to strain resources, potentially leading to higher failure rates and longer time to degree completion. Conversely, reinstating a math‑test requirement could reshape admissions criteria, influencing how equity is measured across the UC system. The upcoming Senate vote and possible Regents decision will determine whether standardized testing returns to UC STEM admissions, setting a precedent for other test‑blind institutions.
AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Jun 3, 2026 · How we report