Q&A on UC Admissions Testing Requirements

Core Requirements

Effective for students entering UC as freshmen in fall 2006, each applicant must submit scores on an approved core test of mathematics, language arts and writing. This requirement can be satisfied by taking either of the following:

• the ACT Assessment plus the new ACT Writing Test, or
• the new SAT I (critical reading, mathematics and writing)

In addition, all applicants must complete two SAT II Subject Tests in two different subject areas: history/social science, English literature, mathematics, laboratory science or language other than English.

If a student in the freshman class of 2006 takes the SAT I and/or the SAT II: Writing Test prior to March 2005, will these examination results fulfill the new requirement?

No. Because of the changes in the SAT I, which now includes sections on critical reading, mathematics and writing, UC will expect students to take this new exam in March 2005 or later.

If a student in the freshman class of 2006 takes the ACT Assessment prior to spring 2005, will UC accept this version of the ACT as long as the student also takes the ACT Writing Test when it is available?

Yes. Since the ACT Assessment is not changing, applicants for fall 2006 admission may complete the current ACT at any time but must also complete the ACT Writing Test no later than December 2005. Applicants for freshman admission in fall 2007 and later will be expected to complete both the ACT Assessment and the Writing Test at the same sitting.

Can a student take the SAT II: Writing Test in combination with the ACT Assessment to fulfill the core examination requirement?

UC will NOT accept the SAT II: Writing Test as an alternative to the ACT Writing Test for fall 2006 applicants.

SAT II Requirements

Freshman applicants must submit scores on two SAT II Subject Tests in two different subject areas of the student’s choice: history/social science, English literature, mathematics, laboratory science or language other than English.

Completion of the SAT II: Writing (with essay) and SAT II: Math Level IC will NOT meet the fall 2006 requirement. Applicants may, however, submit a SAT II: Math Level IIC score to fulfill the requirement.

The following SAT II Subject Tests can also be used to fulfill this requirement: Literature, U.S. History, World History, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French Reading, French Reading with Listening, German Reading, German Reading with Listening, Spanish Reading, Spanish Reading with Listening, Modern Hebrew Reading, Italian Reading, Latin Reading with Listening, Japanese Reading with Listening, Korean Reading with Listening, and Chinese Reading with Listening.

Can a student meet UC’s requirement by taking two SAT II tests in one subject area, for example, the French Reading and French Reading with Listening tests?

No. The examination requirement calls for the completion of two SAT II tests
in two different subject areas.

Are specific SAT II tests required for admission to certain campuses or majors?

At this time, no specific SAT II Subject Tests are required for admission to any UC campus or major. Students are urged to take relevant SAT II Subject Tests immediately upon completion of associated courses, particularly if the subject area is related to their intended major.

Other Information

How will the new tests be weighted in UC’s eligibility index?

While this has not yet been determined, BOARS has recommended that, pending future research on the predictive validity of the different exams, the three components of the new SAT I and the two additional SAT II Subject Tests be weighted equally in the eligibility index. UC will use a concordance table to equate the new SAT I with the ACT Assessment plus the new ACT Writing Test.

If a student takes the ACT or SAT more than once, will the University use the highest score?
Yes. The University uses the highest scores from a single testing administration.

If a student takes more than two SAT II Subject Tests, will the University use the best two scores?
Yes, provided these scores represent two different subject areas.