Hey everyone, I'm starting to look at college applications and I was wondering: does UC Berkeley still require the SAT? I've heard a lot about colleges going test-optional because of COVID-19, so would that also apply to Berkeley?
No, UC Berkeley, along with all UC schools, is test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle. This means that SAT or ACT scores will not be considered in admissions decisions at all, regardless of whether or not you submit them. This policy was put into place to lessen the burden on students who were unable to take the SAT or ACT due to COVID-19 disruptions and then was made permanent after a court decision. Therefore, you do not need to submit any test scores when applying to UC Berkeley. Instead, the university will focus on your high school courses and grades, the rigor of your course schedule, your essays, and your extracurricular activities among other things when making their admission decision.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.