Senator Pushed to Reinstate SAT and ACT Requirements

State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh proposed restoring standardized testing for university admissions in California.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector illustration of sharpened lead pencils on a clean desk, representing academic assessment policy in California. — State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh is pushing to reinstate standardized SAT and ACT testing requirements for university admissions across California. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should universities reinstate mandatory standardized testing for college admissions?

In August 2026, State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh called for California universities to reinstate SAT and ACT testing requirements. She argues that these metrics are essential to curb grade inflation and ensure student preparedness.

Why it matters

The proposal challenges existing policies at the University of California and California State University systems, which have previously moved to eliminate standardized testing as an admissions requirement. This push highlights ongoing debates over equitable assessment methods and college readiness.

California currently allocates $151.4 billion to K-12 education, representing 48 percent of the total state budget. In spring 2025, less than half of students met state standards in English, with 37.3 percent meeting benchmarks in math.

The players

Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh

She is a State Senator representing the Coachella Valley who has advocated for changes to California university admissions policies.

University of California

This public university system voted in 2020 to phase out standardized testing requirements for its campuses.

California State University

This university system voted in 2022 to make the removal of standardized testing requirements permanent.

The details

Senator Ochoa Bogh communicated her stance to University of California leaders through a formal letter and by questioning regents nominees. She asserts that without standardized tests, grade inflation undermines the integrity of university admissions and academic rigor.

Spring 2025: California released student performance results for English and math standards.
August 2026: Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh advocated for the return of standardized testing.
October 15, 2026: The state is scheduled to release updated student test scores.
February 12, 2027: The University of California Academic Senate is expected to submit a report on testing.
June 2027: The University of California is slated to provide a testing recommendation to regents.

Culture Shift

The proposal marks a sharp departure from the 2020 University of California Board of Regents vote to phase out standardized testing. This highlights a broader societal tension between holistic admissions practices and the desire to curb grade inflation through standardized metrics.

Future applicants to California public universities may face new testing requirements if this legislative effort gains traction. Families should monitor these policy shifts to determine if future academic routines will need to include preparation for SAT or ACT exams.

The takeaway

The ongoing debate over testing requirements underscores the difficulty of balancing academic standards with equity in state-funded institutions. Parents and students should remain aware of potential changes to admissions criteria that could influence their long-term educational planning.

What happens next

The University of California Academic Senate is scheduled to submit a formal report regarding standardized testing on February 12, 2027, followed by a recommendation to the regents by June 2027.