Standardized Testing Resource Hub

Standardized testing has shaped college admissions for decades, but growing research has raised important questions about its role in expanding or limiting opportunity.

As colleges and universities continue evaluating admissions policies, the Campaign for College Opportunity is committed to ensuring these conversations remain grounded in evidence, equity, and student success.

This resource center brings together our research, public testimony, policy recommendations, media coverage, and related resources to help policymakers, educators, journalists, advocates, and the public better understand the issues and the evidence that informs our position.

Current Issue: The UC Admissions Conversation

The University of California is currently considering whether to revisit its test-free admissions policy citing faculty concerns about declining preparation of incoming students, insisting that a primary solution lies in reinstating standardized admissions tests, which the system stopped using in 2021.

Campaign Position

Test-free policies facilitate access for traditionally excluded students and eliminate a substantial source of bias from the evaluation of applicants. The Campaign for College Opportunity will continue to advocate for evidence-based higher education policies that strengthen student success while expanding equitable access to college for every Californian.

Research & Publications

• Advancing Equity by Rethinking the Use of Tests in College Admissions (Research on Equitable College Admissions Practices)

Partner Resources

• Only Inquiry and Evidence—Not the SAT—Will Address California’s Math Preparation Challenge (Joint Blog with Just Equations)
• 4 Reasons the UC Should Not Reinstate the SAT/ACT
• Regents Public Comment (Campaign for College Opportunity)
• Regents Public Comment (Just Equations)
• UC SAT debate: Prepare students, don’t just select them | Sacramento Bee 
• SAT scores are another way UC schools are closing their doors to diversity | LA Times (Student Voices | Op-Ed)

Media & Commentary

• LA Times
• Politico
• CalMatters
• SF Chronicle
• KALW
• Orange County Register
• Video clips
  • Jessie Ryan | UC Regents Public Comment
  • Dr. Alexis Takagi | UC Regents Public Comment

Evidence-Based Solutions We Support

• Strengthening A-G preparation
• Increasing college advising
• Expanding dual enrollment
• Improving math preparation
• Equitable admissions policies
• Student success investments

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