Q. Are SAT and/or ACT test scores required for CSU undergraduate admission for fall 2022?
A. No. In response to the pandemic and other factors challenging students and families today, the CSU has suspended temporarily the use of either SAT or ACT scores in CSU undergraduate admission for students through the academic year ending 2023. The CSU can consider submitted test scores to assist with student placement in first-year courses.
Q. Has the recent change in the SAT format, including its digital format, impacted the Council's recommendation?
A. No. The change of delivery format (from paper to digital) and length of the test do not substantively change the findings of the Admission Advisory Council's conclusions or recommendation.
Q. Were CSU faculty consulted about this recommendation?
A. Yes. Faculty were represented on the Admission Advisory Council and the Academic Senate of the CSU was consulted. There is a current resolution pending by the Senate regarding discontinuing standardized testing in undergraduate admission.
Q. When will the CSU make its final decision regarding the proposal to discontinue the use of standardized test scores for CSU undergraduate admission?
A. The CSU Board of Trustees voted in favor to amend Title 5 and discontinue the use of standardized test scores at its March 2022 meeting. As a result, the CSU will make permanent its temporary suspension of the use of standardized tests for undergraduate admission. The Admission Advisory Council will forward a set of recommendations to the acting Chancellor for their consideration related to guidance on multi-factor criteria for undergraduate admission. The acting Chancellor will decide on those factors and elements of the admission criteria.
Q. How will the CSU notify key stakeholders, including schools and parents, when a decision is made?
A. The CSU Chancellor's Office will continue to provide updates to counselors through monthly newsletters, webinars and separate communications. CSU and campus websites will also to be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
Q. Will the CSU consider alternative standardized tests for undergraduate admission in lieu of the SAT and/or ACT?
A. The Admission Advisory Council explored this idea, including considering national research on the validity of optional tests for predicting college readiness. It was determined the introduction of alternative tests would create undue confusion for schools, students and families, and the decision was to discontinue any standardized test scores in undergraduate admission eligibility.
Q. If standardized test scores are discontinued, how will the CSU address equity of schools and school districts as it considers high school grade point averages?
A. As part of its temporary discontinuation of standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions, the CSU also implemented a multi-factor admission criteria that offers additional student considerations such as school context. If a student graduates from a high school with reduced/free lunch, this could provide additional points to the student's overall admission score.
Q. If standardized test scores are discontinued, can an individual CSU campus still use SAT and/or ACT test scores in admission consideration?
A. No campus would be allowed to use either SAT or ACT scores as part of admission to the CSU. However, submitted test scores could be consider either when a campus is making an admission exception or when used to determine placement in a first-year course such as Math or written communication.
Q. How will the removal of standardized test scores in undergraduate admissions influence impaction?
A. Access to a CSU degree for any eligible student remains a top priority for the CSU. The university is in discussion with the Governor's Office on a compact that would include planned enrollment growth across its 23 campuses. This should help address current impaction challenges.
Q. Is there a financial cost to this proposal?
A. There is no cost associated with this change.