JUNE 2021 Update on use of SAT/ACT for College Admissions
UC System
UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships for fall 2022-2024 applicants. If a student chooses to submit test scores as a part of their application, they may be used to fulfill the English subject-matter requirement or for course placement and advising after students are admitted.
In the plan to eliminate SAT and ACT test scores as a factor in admissions and scholarship decisions, the Board of Regents directed the University to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of creating or modifying a test for use in admissions beginning fall 2025. The feasibility study was completed in December 2020, and the Feasibility Study Steering Committee concluded that the creation of a new UC admissions test was not feasible; but modifying an existing test for use in admissions as an additional data point, in a manner that is different from previous high stakes use of the SAT/ACT may be feasible.
Thus, President Drake has requested the Academic Senate undertake an evaluation of the Smarter Balanced Assessment, administered to California public school students in the 11th grade, to determine its utility as an optional data point in the admissions process. The Academic Senate’s Smarter Balanced Study Group will meet between June and September and the Academic Council will deliver a recommendation to the President in October
CSU System
The California State University (CSU) will continue to temporarily suspend the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2022-2023 academic year. This temporary change of admission eligibility applies for the following terms: Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023 and Spring 2023 admission cycles.
Private Colleges
While many colleges and universities have gone test-optional, students will want to check an individual campus’ admission policies. Also, some scholarship applications may require an SAT or ACT score. Check early!
Juniors and Seniors interested in a 4-year college will need to register for the SAT or ACT. Check out the College Board's Big Future page for some helpful planning resources.
SAT Registration | ACT Registration
Low-Income families qualify for fee waivers. If you need a SAT or ACT Fee Waiver, please email your Monarch River Academy Counselor: Carmen Marroquin (carmen.marroquin@monarchriveracademy.org).
You will be asked to present this code when registering for the SAT, ACT, and College Applications: Monarch River Academy: 052194.
Free Test Prep Materials
Khan Academy
The inside scoop on the SAT. Free and exclusively from Khan Academy.
For the first time ever, the creators of the SAT have given Khan Academy exclusive access and advice to build a personalized practice program for anyone, anywhere.
These tools are free and available now for every student to take ownership of their learning and their future.
Official SAT Practice | YouTube Playlist
PowerScore
Prepare for the SAT or ACT online by taking these free sample practice tests.
This library of resources are ideal for high school students to get a better sense for how the SAT / ACT tests are structured. You have access to free practice tests as well as answer sheets to check your work.
