Berkeley math professor warns that test-blind admissions leave many underprepared
A UC Berkeley mathematics professor says the University of California's test-blind admissions have resulted in large numbers of students arriving far behind in math skills.
In an op-ed, UC Berkeley mathematics professor Zvezdelina Stankova warned that many incoming students are severely underprepared because the University of California system abandoned SAT and ACT scores in admissions. He observes classrooms of 500 to 1,400 students where, by the second week, a substantial portion need remedial instruction in middle-school level math. Data he presented show readiness rates falling from 71% in 2018-2020 to 44% in 2023, with 17% failing all test topics.
Thousands of UC faculty have signed open letters demanding the reinstatement of standardized tests, contending that such measures support true equity. The university's president, James B. Milliken, said the Board of Regents will conduct a data-driven review of the policy. Meanwhile, several Ivy League institutions are moving away from test-optional policies, signaling a broader shift in higher-education admissions.
Why it matters
The story highlights how admission policies may affect student preparedness and equity in higher education.
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