UC will be "test-optional" for fall 2021 and fall 2022. Freshman applicants are not required to submit SAT/ACT test scores.
What does "test-optional" mean?
You choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores with your application.
If you are unable or choose not to submit test scores, your application will still receive full consideration.
SAT/ACT scores may be used for:
Admissions: Some campuses may choose to consider your test scores as part of their application review process. Remember, no admission decision is based on a single factor.
Scholarships. Some scholarships may include test scores as a factor in selection.
Determining eligibility for the statewide admissions guarantee.
Course placement after you enroll.
Signing up
1. Go to www.sat.collegeboard.com
2. Create or sign in to your account
3. Click “Register Now
4. Follow directions & read each question carefully
Pay Attention
1. During registration, be prepared to answer questions about your social & academic interests. This information will be used to match you with colleges and scholarship opportunities
2. Don’t enter your fee waiver number until you are asked for it
3. In order for colleges to receive your SAT scores, YOU must send them--it's NOT automatic
(4) FREE score sends come with each registration
You must order where your scores will be sent no later than 9 days after you take the test
After 9 days, it costs $12.00 to send to each school
Each college has their own SAT deadline. Check the admission websites to make sure you send your scores in time
Planning to apply to a Cal State?
Send your scores to CSU MENTOR and all of the CSUs will receive them
CSU MENTOR Code: 3594
Select “more search options” and enter code
Planning to apply to a UC?
Send your scores to any UC school and ALL UCs will receive them
Don’t know where you want to apply yet?
Visit www.bigfuture.collegeboard.com to search for colleges & create a college list
When should you take the SAT?
In May and/or June of your junior year!
Leave time for multiple retakes in the fall of your senior year
The absolute deadline for most colleges is in December of senior year.
1. UCs require the ACT Plus Writing! Be sure to register for the right test. Cal States only require the ACT (no writing).
2. During registration, be prepared to answer questions about your social & academic interests. This information will be used to match you with colleges and scholarship opportunities
3. Don’t enter your fee waiver number until you are asked for it
Sending your ACT scores to colleges
In order for colleges to receive your ACT scores, you MUST send them
(4) FREE score sends come with each registration
You must send your scores no later than 5 days after you take the test
After 5 days, it costs $13 to send to each school
Each college has their own ACT deadline. Check the admission websites to make sure you send your scores in time
Planning to apply to a Cal State?
List any CSU campus as an ACT score report recipient and use the ACT Scores Manager to release your scores to additional campuses. Before you can use the ACT Scores Manager, you must first have arranged for your scores to be sent to a CSU campus.
If you have not yet arranged for your ACT scores to be sent to a CSU campus, you can learn how to do so at http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send
Planning to apply to a UC?
Send your scores to any UC school and ALL UCs will receive them
Don’t know where you want to apply yet?
Visit www.bigfuture.collegeboard.com to search for colleges & create a college list
When should you take the ACT?
In Spring/Summer of your junior year!
Leave time for multiple retakes in the fall of your senior year
The absolute deadline for most colleges is in December of senior year.
SAT fee waivers are available to low-income 11th and 12th grade students in the U.S. or U.S. territories. U.S. citizens living outside the country may be able to have test fees waived. SAT Subject Test fee waivers are available for students in grades 9–12.
You're eligible for fee waivers if you say "yes" to any of the following:
You're enrolled in or eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
You're enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
Your family receives public assistance.
You live in federally subsidized public housing or a foster home, or are homeless.
You are a ward of the state or an orphan.
LEARN MORE CLICK HERE
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Have questions about the SAT and ACT? Kaplan’s new study guide is your go-to for information on both tests. Download it here for free.