University of California professors seek return of SATs amid grade inflation

University of California professors are calling for the reinstatement of SAT admissions requirements, citing a crisis of grade inflation and declining academic proficiency. Data shows that the number of applicants reporting a 4.0 GPA or higher has doubled over the last decade, rising from 52,989 in 2015 to 103,138 for the class of 2025.

Despite these high marks, state assessment data reveals significant gaps in student readiness. For the 2024-2025 school year, only 30.5% of 11th graders in California were proficient in math, while English proficiency stood at 57%. Faculty members reported that many students entering calculus courses lack foundational arithmetic skills, forcing instructors to teach middle-school level math.

Critics and educators attribute the trend to administrative pressures that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to minimize failing grades to maintain enrollment. In response to an open letter from over 1,200 professors, the UC system has stated it is accelerating its timeline to review and provide recommendations regarding standardized testing.