Are any SAT Subject Tests required for the University of California (UC) Schools?

Applying to College
1

<p>Our counselor gave us a presentation on college applications, but it seems I'm getting conflicting information.</p>

<p>I was told that no UC's require SAT Subject Tests. However, if one's major is biology, it would obviously make sense to take a Biology Subject Test.</p>

<p>I then found this at UCSD's website (<a href="http://www.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/freshmen/requirements.html):%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ucsd.edu/prospective-students/freshmen/requirements.html):&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>"You may qualify for admission to the University by earning high scores on the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test, and two SAT Subject Tests.</p>

<p>To qualify this way, you must:</p>

<p>Achieve a minimum UC Score total, calculated according to the UC Admissions Index instructions, AND
Earn a minimum UC Score total of 63 on each component of the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test and on each SAT Subject Test. See the current Admissions Index."</p>

<p>I'm not quite understanding this. Do any UC's require the SAT Subject Tests?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>I only know about Irvine. They require 2 SAT II test of your choice.</p>

3

<p>No, all UC’s now do not require SAT Subject tests. Though some schools like UCB and UCLA RECOMMEND them depending on your major. You will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests, rather if you do they will add brownie points to your app. </p>

<p>Here’s the link with what Subject Tests each UC recommends : [University</a> of California - SAT Subject Tests](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html)</p>

4

<p>I seem to remember some MAJORS require subject testS</p>

<p>Oops! Not required; recommended
<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>and as the op quoted, taking them can qualify if you have not qualified in the usual ( statewide) context.</p>

5

<p>OP,the seemingly conflicting info you are seeing is not. UCs no longer require subject tests but they are recommended by some campuses or for some majors:[University</a> of California - SAT Subject Tests](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/index.html)</p>

<p>What you are seeing about needing subject tests for admission refers to something different. The UCs have minimum qualifications to be eligible for admission. and if you meet the minimums you are assured of admission to a UC but not necessarily one of your choice. Most meet minimums by a combination of minimum grades and SAT or ACT test score. However, if your grades are lousy, you can try to meet minimums by a combination of test scores, SAT or ACT, plus SAT subject tests and thus can take subject tests for that purpose. The site you want to explore to learn everything about admissions is known as the UC Pathways site and a place to start is here [University</a> of California - Admission requirements](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/index.html)</p>

6

<p>Thanks a lot for the clarification, guys!</p>

<p>I see what you mean now. Great links, too.</p>