First-year requirements
UC's minimum admission requirements are comprised of a subject and a GPA requirement, and they represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be considered for admission as a first year.
Applicants should be reminded that admission to the University of California is competitive, and most applicants present more than the minimum requirements when applying for admission.
Please be aware that only the math and language other than English requirements may be met with coursework completed in 7th and/or 8th grade. All other subject requirements must be completed during 9th-12th grade.
Subject requirement
First-year applicants are required to complete a minimum of 15 yearlong A-G courses with a letter grade of C or better in grades 9-12. Seven of these courses must be taken in the last two years of high school. Students must complete:
Eleven A-G courses must be completed prior to the 12th grade/last year of high school/secondary school. No particular course pattern is required for this review.
A specific 11-course pattern is required for consideration in UC's Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program and must be completed prior to the beginning of 12th grade. Courses completed during summer after 11th grade will be considered. Although a minimum of 11 courses are required for admissions consideration, completion of at least the full 15 yearlong college-preparatory required courses will be expected of all students by the end of their senior year.
Learn more about UC's Subject Requirements
GPA requirement
In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) in all A-G courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C. We award extra grade points for grades received in approved honors-level courses to a maximum of eight semesters, including no more than four semesters taken in the 10th grade.
Standardized tests (not required)
UC eliminated its standardized test requirement in 2020.
UC no longer considers SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. Test scores submitted as part of the application may be used as an alternate method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after matriculation at UC.
Students who plan to use test scores to meet a minimum subject requirement or for course placement should take their tests no later than December of the senior year/last year prior to high school/secondary school graduation.
Students can self-report ACT and/or SAT scores in the admission application, but they must first submit the application without scores. Once the application has been submitted, the student can log back into the application to report ACT or SAT scores. If a student self-reports a test score, they should provide the official score report when they receive an offer of admission from UC.
International students
Applicants who have completed all of their secondary/high school education in a country where English is not the language of instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). Review the English proficiency requirement for international students »
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Advanced level and SAT Subject Tests
We recommend that students who complete Advanced Placement courses complete the related AP examination to demonstrate subject mastery. Similarly, International Baccalaureate scores and A level exam scores can be used to showcase academic mastery. In order to receive unit credit toward the baccalaureate degree, students must submit an official copy of their AP or IB scores or A level Statement of Results directly from the testing agency or exam board. This must be done in the summer prior to enrolling at a specific UC campus.
SAT Subject Tests were discontinued in 2021. Students who may have scores from before 2021 can submit them to meet subject requirements, but they must first submit the application without scores. Once the application has been submitted, the student can log back into the application to report SAT Subject Test scores. No UC campus or program requires SAT Subject Tests for admission selection.
High school proficiency exam
All students admitted as first years are required to earn a valid high school diploma or secondary school leaving certificate. If students do not have a high school diploma, we will accept the Certificate of Proficiency awarded by the State Board of Education upon successful completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). We'll also accept proficiency examinations from other states, and the General Education Development (GED) Certificate, in place of a diploma. UC will not accept a GED from another country.
Students presenting a CHSPE or GED certificate must still meet UC's subject and GPA requirements.
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University of California Drops SAT/ACT Scores: What It Means for You
ACT , SAT , College Admissions
Yep, you read that correctly: in May 2020, the University of California Board of Regents voted unanimously to stop requiring the ACT and SAT as part of admissions applications. In other words, if you're applying to a UC school, you won't have to submit your ACT or SAT scores.
Before you get super excited, there are some caveats you should know about. That's why we're breaking down the changes — and answering your FAQs! — below.
UC Berkeley is part of the UC system, which means Berkeley will be dropping the SAT/ACT as an admissions requirement, too.
Why Is the University of California Making This Change?
According to the Board of Regents, they have decided to move away from the ACT and SAT in order to create a more fair admissions process for students. The Board of Regents believes that moving away from the current standardized testing model will allow for a fairer evaluation of students' applications, especially since the SAT and ACT have been criticized for being outdated methods of evaluating students' preparedness for college .
While this change may seem like it came out of the blue, the truth is that t he University of California system has been working on making the shift away from requiring the SAT or ACT for a few years now. According to the university's press release, UC began researching how this change would affect students in 2018. Here's their official statement:
"Today's decision marks the culmination of a two-year, research-based effort by UC to evaluate the value and use of standardized tests in admissions. That process began in July 2018 when President Napolitano asked the Academic Senate to evaluate whether the University and its students are best served by current standardized testing practices. The Academic Senate convened the Standardized Testing Task Force (STTF) in January 2019 and their findings were finalized and presented to the president in April 2020."
So while UC announced the decision to stop requiring the SAT and ACT recently, it's actually been in the works for a while.
When Will UC Stop Requiring the ACT and SAT?
Before you call up the College Board or the ACT to cancel your test, you should know that UC is phasing out standardized test scores for applicants between now and 2025.
2021 and Beyond: UC Becomes Test Blind for all Students
Starting in Fall 2021, UC will switch over to being a test blind school for all UC applicants (this includes out-of-state and international applicants). Test blind means that UC schools will not consider students' SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process . Even if you submit your scores, they won't be reviewed.
Additionally, SAT and ACT scores will no longer be required or considered when applying for Chancellor's or Regents scholarships. Your scores will not be viewed or considered in the scholarship awarding process even if you submit them.
And finally, UC schools now no longer require SAT Essay and ACT Writing portions. These scores will not be used as a part of the admissions process in any way beginning in Fall 2020. So, even if you take the essay, those scores won't be part of your admissions decision. (Note that the College Board will no longer offer the SAT Essay as of June 2021 , so if you test after that date, you won't have the option to take the SAT Essay anyway.)
If you do choose to submit SAT/ACT scores in 2021 or any following year, they may be used for course placement , but only after you enroll at a UC school. This means that the test scores you submit may have bearing on what courses you take, but not on your application for admission or your scholarship eligibility.
When conversations first began about phasing out SAT/ACT score requirements for UC schools, the plan was to go test optional for out-of-state and international applicants in 2020, 2021, and 2022. But that decision was reversed in May 2021, and all UC schools now have a test blind policy for all applicants.
UC’s new test blind policy was originally supposed to stay in effect until 2025, at which time UC would introduce a UC-specific standardized test for applicants to take instead of the SAT or ACT. However, that plan has also been reversed; in November 2021, the UC Board of Regents decided that all UC schools will remain test blind for the forseeable future.
UC’s president has noted that if another effective testing option happens to be developed , UC schools “could consider adopting such a thing in the future, but we’re not developing one, and we don’t know of one that exists at this time.” This means that there are no current plans for UC to develop its own college-entrance exam . Since UC officials have indicated that this decision could be subject to change, though, it’s important to pay attention to UC news over the next few years to stay on top of the latest developments.
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of information available about whether UC’s test blind policy will remain permanent. While UC has indicated that this policy is unlikely to change, the possibility is still on the table, so we’ll be updating this article with more information as it becomes available! Be sure to bookmark this article and check back later.
Phasing Out the SAT and ACT at UC at a Glance
These changes are a lot to soak in, so here's a handy chart that walks you through all the changes happening around the elimination of the SAT and ACT in UC schools. The left column lists the application year to make things easier for you.
* This chart has been adapted from one released by UC as part of its initial press release
Will Out-of-State or International Students Have to Submit ACT or SAT Scores?
No. For students applying in Fall 2021 and beyond, the UC system is test blind for all students, including out-of-state and international students.
However, it’s important to remember that university policies are always subject to change. While it seems unlikely that UC schools will reinstate any kind of testing requirement, we just can’t know for sure. If you’re applying to schools in the UC system after Fall 2021, it’s important to do your research and check for a current testing policy when you begin the college application process .
Before you decide to skip the ACT or SAT entirely, you should decide whether that's REALLY the right choice for you. Check out our list of things to consider below.
Should You Take the ACT or SAT If You're Applying to UC?
Students who are applying to a University of California school after Fall 2021 may be wondering if they should still take the ACT or SAT.
We've put together a list of questions to help you decide if you should still take the SAT or ACT exam.
Are You Applying in Fall 2022 or Beyond?
In 2021, UC schools will transition to being test blind . While applicants can submit test scores, they won't be viewed or considered as a part of your application for admission.
But plans are still subject to change in the future. While it doesn't look like UC schools will revert to requiring SAT/ACT scores, having your test scores on hand just in case is the best plan for students planning to apply to UC schools in the next few years.
Just make sure that your SAT or ACT test scores are actually great . Submitting sub-par test scores could have the opposite effect on your application!
Are You Unsure About the Quality of Your Application?
While the UC system is phasing out its acceptance of SAT/ACT scores as part of its admissions criteria, there still may be instances when test scores will be considered. UC's admissions website states :
" UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll."
So what does this mean? Essentially, if there's an aspect of your application that seems to be lacking and you choose to submit SAT/ACT scores, UC admissions may look at your scores to see if they speak toward your quality as an applicant in ways that other aspects of your application don't. If you have stellar test scores but feel other aspects of your application are weak, submit your SAT/ACT scores just in case.
Some programs at UC schools may still continue to require the SAT or ACT, at least for the next few years. Be sure to check with your department and/or program before you skip out on taking a standardized test.
Does Your Program Require the SAT/ACT for Course Placement?
Some departments, programs, or schools may still use SAT and ACT scores to determine which courses students would take as freshmen. That way, schools can make sure that you're enrolling in classes that will set you up for long-term success!
To figure out if your program requires SAT or ACT scores for placement, be sure to check out the departmental website. If you're still unsure about whether you need scores for course placement, contact your admissions counselor.
Are You Applying to Non-UC Schools?
If you're planning on applying to schools outside of the UC system or schools in other states, then you should definitely still take the ACT or SAT. Even though UC is phasing out scores, most other schools — especially competitive ones! — still use standardized test scores as part of the admissions process.
Will Other California Public Schools Eliminate the ACT or SAT? What About California Private Schools?
In March 2022, the California State University system announced that it will permanently switch to test-free admissions , starting with the incoming class of 2025. As of right now, no other California universities have indicated that they are moving away from requiring the ACT or SAT. While some experts believe they may follow suit in the future, as of right now, no other universities or university systems have announced plans to do so.
What's Next?
If you're not sure if your potential schools fall into the University of California system , this article will help you figure out if they do!
You may be planning to take advantage of the new UC SAT/ACT policies and not submit your test scores. If so, we can help make sure the rest of your application stands out! First, check out our guide to the college application process . After that, head over to this article about writing killer application essays ! Once you get that settled, you can start requesting letters of recommendation that will help you get into your dream school.
If you still need to take the SAT or ACT because you're a non-resident student, looking for scholarships, or need course placement, don't worry . You can learn all about acing the SAT here . (We also have an ACT guide! )
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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.
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