UC Faculty Call for Return of Standardized Math Testing

On Tuesday, hundreds of faculty members from the University of California (UC) system signed an open letter advocating for the reinstatement of mandatory mathematical standardized testing for college admissions.

This letter has garnered support from over 550 STEM professors across various UC campuses and was directed to the university president, the Board of Regents, and the academic Senate. They expressed concern over students’ declining performance in mathematics, emphasizing that some instructors now find themselves needing to re-teach middle school math concepts.

UC eliminated its requirement for standardized testing in admissions back in 2020, aligning with more than a thousand other universities that adopted similar policies during the COVID-19 disruption. Presently, UC assesses student applications using GPA, “subject” requirements, and a student essay.

Notably, the UC admissions website states that math requirements can be satisfied with coursework from “7th and/or 8th grade.”

The faculty described the test-optional admissions policy as a “permanent vulnerability” in an environment where grade inflation and AI-assisted application essays are prevalent.

Their letter specifically called for the reintroduction of the SAT/ACT math requirement for students applying to STEM majors, starting with the 2027 admissions cycle, arguing that UC’s role as an “engine of social mobility” is jeopardized.

In discussing the concerning trend, the letter referenced a UC-San Diego study from November 2025, which indicated a nearly thirtyfold increase in students with math skills below a high school level over the past five years. Alarmingly, around 70 percent of those students showed skills below a middle school level.

From 2021 to 2023, UC Berkeley’s analysis revealed that nearly a third of first-semester calculus students exhibited “severe preparation deficits” in diagnostic testing.

Furthermore, faculty noted that the decreasing mathematical capabilities of students are placing additional stress on their courses. The letter highlighted that students are taking longer to finish required classes and often lack preparation for more advanced studies, leading to pressure on professors to reduce academic rigor.

Among the top 46 universities, excluding UC campuses, over one-third still require standardized testing, including all leading STEM universities that are UC’s primary competitors.

According to a 2026 ranking by U.S. News & World Report, UC Berkeley and UCLA were listed as the two top public universities in the nation, with all nine undergraduate UC campuses making it into the top 45. Additionally, UC Berkeley was rated as the fourth-best computer science school.

The letter addressed the prevalent critique of standardized testing related to equity, referencing a 2023 National Education Association article that claimed standardized tests are often inaccurate and ineffective. However, the UC faculty argued that the SAT/ACT math requirement shouldn’t be seen as a barrier to equity; rather, it’s necessary to ensure preparedness. They suggested that failing to acknowledge these gaps simply shifts challenges into the classroom, where they are harder to tackle.

In conclusion, the faculty called for the university to grant them oversight regarding “readiness standards” and admissions policies. They demanded that the university also take responsibility for regularly reviewing and updating its admissions standards.

The UC Office of the President and Board of Regents has yet to respond to inquiries for comment.