UC Admission SAT and ACT Score Cut-Offs

As one of the most prestigious university systems in the United States, the University of California (UC) has strict admission requirements.

Among the most important of these requirements are SAT and ACT scores.

If you’re a high school student hoping to gain admission to a UC school, you’ll want to pay close attention to the score cut-offs for these exams.

What are the UC SAT and ACT Score Cut-Offs?

First, it’s important to understand what we mean by “score cut-offs.” Essentially, these are the minimum scores you need to achieve on the SAT or ACT in order to be considered for admission to a UC school.

Each campus has its own score cut-offs, which vary by major and are subject to change from year to year.

However, they generally fall within a certain range.

For example, in the 2020-2021 application cycle, the average SAT score for admitted freshmen at UC Berkeley was 1415, while the average ACT score was 33.

Meanwhile, at UC Santa Cruz, the average SAT score for admitted freshmen was 1260, while the average ACT score was 29.

These are just two examples, and the specific score cut-offs for each UC campus and major can be found on the UC website.

It’s important to note that meeting the score cut-off for a particular UC school and major does not guarantee admission.

UC schools use a holistic admissions process, which means they take many factors into account when evaluating applicants.

However, achieving a high score on the SAT or ACT can certainly improve your chances of being admitted.

Tips for Achieving High SAT and ACT Scores

So, how can you increase your chances of achieving the SAT and ACT scores you need to get into a UC school?

Here are a few tips:

• Start preparing early: Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying for the SAT or ACT. Ideally, you should begin preparing at least several months in advance. This will give you plenty of time to review all the material and take practice tests.
• Take advantage of free resources: There are many free resources available to help you prepare for the SAT and ACT. For example, the College Board offers free practice tests and Khan Academy has a free SAT prep program. Similarly, ACT offers a free online test prep program.
• Consider taking a prep course: If you have the financial means, you may want to consider taking a prep course for the SAT or ACT. These courses can help you improve your scores by providing expert guidance and personalized feedback.
• Focus on your weaknesses: When studying for the SAT or ACT, focus on the areas where you need the most improvement. For example, if you struggle with math, spend more time reviewing math concepts and taking practice tests in that subject.
• Take advantage of test day strategies: On test day, there are several strategies you can use to improve your performance. For example, make sure you read each question carefully and manage your time effectively.