UC Test-optional vs. Test-blind Schools

The UC’s announced back in May that they would be going test-optional for fall of 2021 and 2022. After more tests were canceled due to COVID, a few of the UC schools made the decision to go test-blind for the upcoming admissions cycle.

The test-optional UC schools will allow students to submit test scores along with their application. Click here to understand how they plan to compare students with and without scores in admissions.

The test-optional schools are as follows:

UC Los Angeles

UC San Diego

UC Davis

UC Riverside

UC Merced

For all test-blind UC schools, students can still submit ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Test scores along with their application, but the scores will not be visible to the admissions board. The submitted scores will be used for coursework placement post-enrollment as well as to determine eligibility for merit scholarships. They will, however, still accept and review AP scores as part of the admissions process.

Currently the test-blind schools are as follows:

UC Berkeley

UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Cruz

UC Irvine