More Than 1,000 U.C. Professors Want Standardized Tests Back
Over 1,400 University of California professors signed a letter calling for the reinstatement of SAT/ACT math requirements for STEM majors, citing severe student preparedness gaps. The letter argues standardized tests provide a more objective measure of readiness amid grade inflation and AI-generated essays, though critics note readiness extends beyond admissions standards.
More than 1,400 University of California professors have signed a letter urging the system to reintroduce SAT/ACT math requirements for STEM applicants. The letter, led by four UC Berkeley math professors and a law professor, claims students now arrive underprepared, forcing instructors to reteach middle-school-level math while teaching advanced coursework. UC schools eliminated standardized test requirements in 2020 to promote equity, though students can still submit scores to meet subject requirements. The letter proposes using SAT/ACT scores as a 'readiness check' rather than a mechanical admissions tool. Professors Svetlana Jitomirskaya and Zvezdelina Stankova argued in *The Wall Street Journal* that high school transcripts are unreliable due to grade inflation and AI-generated essays. UC’s Academic Senate Chairman Ahmet Palazoglu acknowledged that college readiness involves more than admissions standards but emphasized the need for baseline measures. He noted UC’s collaboration with K-12 leaders to improve student preparation, though he agreed standardized tests could help identify gaps. Critics argue test-optional policies disproportionately harm low-income students, as standardized scores provide an objective metric beyond extracurriculars or polished essays. The letter’s authors stress that reinstating tests would not fully solve readiness issues but could serve as a necessary tool for equity in admissions.
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