The University of California system will no longer require SAT or ACT standardized test scores as part of its college admissions process, a decision that could have major implications for admissions to other U.S. universities.
The major school system’s board of regents voted unanimously on Thursday to support a proposal by UC President Janet Napolitano to gradually eliminate the use of the standardized tests for admission.
Last year, students and advocacy groups sued the UC system over the use of SAT and ACT scores in admissions, claiming it discriminated against students based on income and race.
Newsom said the use of the SAT and ACT tests “exacerbates the inequities for underrepresented students, given that performance on these tests is highly correlated with race and parental income, and is not the best predictor for college success.”
After news of the scandal broke, many pointed out that admissions are already rigged to favor wealthy and white students — who are more able to afford private tutors and classes to prepare for standardized tests like the SAT.
