Will UCs look at SAT scores in 2025?

No, UC schools will not look at SAT/ACT scores for 2025 admissions; they remain test-blind, meaning scores are not considered for admission decisions due to a legal settlement and their ongoing "test-free" policy, though they might be used for course placement after enrollment. While the UC system was working on creating its own test, the existing policy prevents them from using SAT/ACT for admission through Spring 2025, with discussions continuing about the future of testing.

Will UC require SAT for 2025?

The UC system announced on Thursday it will eliminate the use of the SAT and ACT in admissions for in-state applicants beginning in fall 2023, and in fall 2025 for out-of-state applicants, The New York Times reported.

Do SAT scores matter for 2025?

The SAT/ACT landscape is shifting again: while most U.S. colleges remain test-optional, several top schools are reinstating test requirements between 2025 and 2026, with public systems in Georgia and Florida also mandating scores.

Will the SAT change in 2025?

The SAT changes for 2025 center on a fully digital, shorter, adaptive format, replacing paper tests, with Reading/Writing and Math sections, shorter passages, calculator allowed throughout Math, and faster scores, making preparation strategies different from the old paper test, though the core skills remain crucial for college readiness.
 

Will college admissions be easier in 2025?

The Class of 2025 is facing the most competitive college admissions cycle in modern history — a confluence of demographic shifts, application surges, and test-optional policies has pushed acceptance rates to record lows.

How Colleges Really Look at SAT Scores

What is the acceptance rate for UC 2025?

Overall freshman admission rates increased systemwide to 73 percent from last year's 66 percent,, fueled by a more than 7 percent increase in acceptances. If you're an out of state or international student, pay close attention...

Is Cal Poly harder to get into than UCLA or?

UCLA is generally harder to get into than Cal Poly SLO based on overall acceptance rates, but Cal Poly becomes extremely competitive, even harder than some UCs for specific programs like Computer Science, making the choice depend heavily on your major and qualifications. While UCLA's overall admission is tougher (around 9-10% acceptance), Cal Poly's selectivity has surged, with some majors seeing <4% acceptance rates, rivaling top UCs. 

Are 2025 SATs going to be hard?

An overwhelming majority (79.8%) felt this year's papers were the same, if not harder, than 2024 with yet more long-winded and wordy questions in addition to some rather abstract questions in the reasoning papers, and an arithmetic paper slightly trickier than in 2024.

What was Taylor Swift's SAT score?

Taylor Swift's SAT score is not publicly known because she left high school early to pursue her music career and never officially took the SATs for college admission, though she was academically successful in high school, graduating early with a 4.0 GPA before focusing on music. She famously called out a practice test for misquoting her lyrics, highlighting her strong grasp of grammar despite not needing the test.
 

What did Elon Musk score on his SAT?

Elon Musk scored a 1400 on the SAT in the late 1980s, according to biographer Walter Isaacson, a score that would correlate to an IQ in the mid-130s, suggesting above-average intelligence but not necessarily genius-level, though his massive accomplishments spur ongoing debate about his true cognitive abilities. He took the test twice, getting 670 verbal and 730 math on his second attempt, with scores calibrated for that era. 

Is 36 ACT or 1600 SAT better?

A 36 on the ACT is the highest possible score, and it is considered equivalent to a perfect 1600 on the SAT (the highest score possible on the SAT), according to official concordance tables, meaning they are generally viewed as equally exceptional achievements by colleges. While both represent peak performance, the ACT composite is an average of four sections, while the SAT total is the sum of two, but at this top level, they signify the same elite standing, making both scores highly competitive for any university. 

Did Mark Zuckerberg actually get a 1600 on the SAT?

Yes, reports widely state that Mark Zuckerberg scored a perfect 1600 (or sometimes a near-perfect 1590) on his SAT, achieving top marks before attending Harvard University, consistent with his reputation as a gifted student and programmer.
 

Did UC decisions come out in 2025?

All decisions became available at MyAdmissions on March 7, 2025. All decisions became available at Applicant Portal on March 14, 2025. All decisions became available at My Application Status on March 21, 2025. Decisions began rolling out in batches at UC Merced Connect starting December 18, 2024.

Is a 33 ACT or 1450 SAT better?

A 33 on the ACT and a 1450 on the SAT are considered roughly equivalent, both falling in a high percentile range, with official concordance tables placing the 33 ACT in the 1450-1480 SAT range, making them essentially equal in college admissions, though individual section scores might favor one test over the other. Neither score is definitively "better," but you should submit the one that better showcases your strengths for your intended major. 

What was Bill Clinton's SAT score?

Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States scored a 1032—12 points above average—on his SAT. Still, Clinton excelled at Georgetown University, where he majored in Foreign Service and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Later, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned a Juris Doctor in 1973.

What was Kobe Bryant's SAT score?

Kobe Bryant scored a 1080 on the SAT, a respectable score that, along with his high school grades, would have qualified him for many top universities, but he chose to go directly to the NBA from high school, becoming one of the first players to do so in the 90s.
 

How many times has Kim Kardashian SAT for the bar?

Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once (July 2025) and failed, but she previously passed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in 2021 after failing it three times, demonstrating her persistence in her legal studies. She's continuing her law journey, aiming to pass the main exam in future attempts, as California law allows multiple tries, notes Life & Style. 

What is a top 1% PSAT score?

A top 1% PSAT score is generally 1450 or higher, with scores in the 1490-1520 range (the maximum) placing a student in the elite top 1% nationally, often qualifying them for National Merit recognition. For 10th graders, this starts around 1420, while for 11th graders, it's typically 1490+. These scores indicate exceptional performance, putting students among the top 15,000 test-takers out of about 1.5 million participants each year.
 

What IQ is a 1500 SAT score?

Proof that the SAT is a decent IQ test: 1500 SAT (130 IQ equivalent)

What is the average score for SATs 2025?

Both the reading and maths average scaled scores have increased by one, with reading at the highest it's ever been (106). Maths has consistently been either 104 or 105, and GPS either 105 or 106.

Can you get a 1600 on the SAT without getting everything right?

Yes, you can get a 1600 on the SAT without getting every single question right, especially with the new digital, adaptive format, by getting difficult questions wrong but answering easier ones correctly, or by missing one or two questions due to slight variations in test difficulty across different test dates, though aiming for perfect is the safest bet. 

What extracurriculars impress UCs?

UC First-Year Admission – Extracurricular Activities

• Community Service and Volunteering.
• Educational Preparation Programs.
• Internships.
• Summer Programs.
• Other Ideas. Research Programs. Independent Projects.

Is UC Davis or Cal Poly better?

Both UC Davis and Cal Poly are excellent institutions with distinct vibes and opportunities, and your decision would largely depend on your personal preferences and field of interest. UC Davis has a strong reputation, especially in the life sciences, agriculture, and veterinary programs.

What is the 25-35 rule at Cal Poly?

The Cal Poly "25-35 rule" is a guideline recommending students study 25-35 hours per week, or about two hours of study time for every one hour of class time (2 hours/unit), treating coursework like a full-time job (40-50 hour work week) to manage the demanding quarter system. This means dedicating significant time outside of class for self-learning, reading, and assignments to keep up with the fast pace and build deep understanding.