**University of California committee has suspended its planned review of standardized testing policies, delaying any decision on whether the SAT (or ACT) might return as part of undergraduate admissions.** The pause was announced this week and effectively removes a public timeline that previously suggested a reconsideration of testing requirements could be completed in time to affect upcoming admission cycles. For now, UC’s current test policies remain in place until the committee resumes work and issues further guidance.
The immediate impact is uncertainty for international applicants. Many students from Jordan and the Middle East take the SAT or ACT early in their senior year to meet U.S. application windows. With the UC timeline paused, applicants cannot rely on a near-term policy reversal and should assume test-optional or current UC rules will stand for the next cycle. That matters for decisions about whether to prioritize a late test date, invest in additional preparation, or use alternative evidence of academic readiness (advanced coursework, AP/IB results, school records).
Practical steps students should take now: (1) If you already have competitive SAT/ACT scores, keep them available — many campuses and scholarship programs will still accept submitted scores. (2) If you are planning to take the SAT/ACT this year, register now for test dates that fit UC and other deadlines; do not delay on the assumption UC will soon require scores. (3) Prepare or update other parts of your application: strong transcripts, teacher recommendations, personal insight essays, English-proficiency tests (TOEFL/IELTS) and documentation for financial aid or scholarships. Note that the University of California application filing period traditionally runs November 1–30 for fall admission; international students should plan backward from that window when scheduling tests and document collection.
This decision comes amid broader changes among top U.S. institutions: Yale and Columbia recently updated their undergraduate testing policies, reflecting a national re-evaluation of standardized tests in admissions. The UC pause is significant because the system’s choices influence admission practices nationwide and affect international admission advice. For applicants targeting selective campuses within the UC system, remain alert to campus-specific guidance and any late announcements from UC Office of the President.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help Jordanian and regional students interpret what this pause means for individual application strategies — whether to submit scores, which test dates to prioritize, and how to strengthen non-test parts of the application. For personalized guidance, timelines and test planning, contact Shatnawi Education via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com. Staying proactive now will preserve options regardless of how the UC committee resumes its review.