University of California Math Failure Rates Rise

Nearly 18 percent of freshmen failed introductory math courses during the 2025-26 academic year.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in College Applications

University of California Math Failure Rates Rise

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Should universities reinstate standardized testing requirements to ensure students are prepared for college-level work?

In the 2025-26 academic year, 17.8 percent of University of California freshmen failed their introductory math courses. This figure marks a significant increase from the 9.2 percent failure rate recorded during the 2020-21 school year.

Why it matters

Faculty members attribute the rising failure rates to a widening gap in academic preparation among incoming students. More than 1,400 professors are now urging the university system to reinstate standardized testing requirements for admissions.

Failure rates varied by campus, with UC Merced reporting 36.4 percent and UC Santa Barbara reporting 8.2 percent. California K-12 math proficiency stands at 38.4 percent, with state per-student spending reaching $26,450.

The players

University of California

This public research university system consists of ten campuses and serves as a major provider of higher education in California.

Board of Regents

This governing body is responsible for the administration and oversight of the University of California system.

The details

Universities are currently implementing remedial courses to assist students in covering fundamental material missed in earlier grades. This academic shift follows the university system's transition from mandatory standardized testing to a test-blind admissions evaluation model.

2018-19: State math proficiency was 39.7 percent.
2020-21: This was the final year that the University of California required SAT or ACT tests for admission.
2025-26: The freshmen math failure rate reached 17.8 percent.
June 2027: A formal review of standardized testing is scheduled to conclude.
Fall 2027: Recommendations regarding testing policies are expected to reach the Board of Regents.

Culture Shift

The rise in math failures highlights ongoing academic concerns following the University of California test-blind admissions policy. This trend reflects a broader societal debate over how higher education institutions evaluate student readiness without traditional standardized metrics.

Incoming students may face increased requirements for remedial coursework as institutions adjust to shifting academic preparedness levels. Prospective applicants should monitor upcoming policy changes from the Board of Regents that could alter future admissions standards.

The takeaway

The increased need for remedial support signals a disconnect between secondary school outcomes and university math expectations. Students should focus on solidifying foundational math skills early to navigate the current academic environment more effectively.

What happens next

A formal review of standardized testing requirements for university admissions is scheduled for completion in June 2027, with final recommendations to be presented to the Board of Regents in the fall of that year.