Will UC Berkeley require the SAT for applicants in 2025?

Question

I'm starting to look at colleges to apply to next year and UC Berkeley is pretty high on my list. I remember hearing that some UC schools went test-optional or even test-blind recently, but I'm not sure where it stands for applicants in 2025. Does anyone know if Berkeley is planning to bring back the SAT as a requirement, or is it completely gone now? If you applied this year or last year, what did you do for standardized tests?

I'm kinda stressed about this because I've spent time prepping for the SAT just in case, and I don't want it to go to waste, but I also don't want to worry about something that's not required. Any info or official sources would really help clear things up!

Accepted Answer

As of the current admissions cycle and looking ahead to 2025, UC Berkeley—and all University of California campuses—remain test-free (also called test-blind). This means they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all in admissions decisions, even if you choose to submit them. The UC system made this change officially in 2021, following a court ruling and a decision by UC leadership. As of now, there are no announced plans to bring back the SAT or ACT as a requirement for any upcoming application cycles, including Fall 2025.

For students who applied in recent years, submitting SAT/ACT scores had no effect on the application. Some students still took the tests for personal reasons, scholarships outside UC, or because they were applying to non-UC schools as well. But for Berkeley specifically, the SAT is off the table for admission purposes.

Your SAT prep doesn't go to waste if you're considering private universities or out-of-state public colleges that are test-optional or still require scores. For example, many Ivy League schools are test-optional for 2025, but some schools have started reinstating test requirements, so it may still be helpful there. Additionally, some scholarships outside of UC might request SAT scores.

Here's a useful resource for official information: the UC Admissions website (https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman-requirements/exam-requirement/index.html) clearly states their test-free policy. Keep an eye on their updates, but there hasn't been an indication that this policy will change soon.

So, if you're focused solely on Berkeley or other UC campuses, you can release some of that SAT-related stress. But your test prep could still pay off if you want to explore more options nationwide.