How important is the SAT for UC admissions?

I've heard that the UC system is becoming test-optional. How important are SAT scores in the overall admission process? Do they still play a significant role in decisions or are they becoming less important? Just trying to figure out how much time and effort I should put into my SAT prep. Thanks!

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, the University of California (UC) system is actually test-blind, not test-optional. This means that UC schools, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz, will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process at all. The decision to go test-blind was made in response to concerns about the accessibility and fairness of standardized testing.

Given this policy, investing a significant amount of time and effort into SAT prep may not be the best course of action if you're only applying to UC schools. Instead, focus on other aspects of your application, such as maintaining strong grades, participating in meaningful extracurricular activities, and crafting compelling personal insight essays. These elements will play a much larger role in your UC admissions process.

However, if you plan to apply to other institutions outside the UC system, it's essential to research each school's testing policies. Some universities have returned to requiring test scores, while others remain test-optional or test-flexible. In any case, a strong SAT score can still be beneficial depending on the specific policies and requirements of the other schools on your list. Good luck!