Key facts
- More than 1,300 University of California professors are calling for the return of SAT and ACT exams.
- The professors specifically want the exams for STEM applicants.
- The University of California system had previously gone test-blind.
A significant group of over 1,300 faculty members from the University of California system has publicly called for the reinstatement of standardized entrance examinations, specifically the SAT and ACT, for applicants pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This movement represents a notable shift in sentiment, as the University of California system had previously moved towards a test-blind admissions policy, meaning it would not consider SAT or ACT scores even if submitted. The call from these professors suggests a belief that standardized tests play a crucial role in evaluating applicants, particularly in competitive STEM disciplines. The issue was discussed by Douglas Belkin, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal who has extensively covered university admissions policies.