University of California Admissions: SAT Subject Tests

While SAT Subject Tests are not required, some campuses recommend that freshman applicants interested in competitive majors take the tests to demonstrate subject proficiency.

Recommendations for fall 2017 applicants
Remember, these are recommendations, not mandates. You will not be penalized for failing to take the SAT Subject Tests. On the other hand, submission of these test scores (just like submission of AP and/or IB scores) may add positively to the review of your application.

Berkeley
College of Chemistry and College of Engineering: Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) closely related to the applicant's intended major.

Davis
Not recommended for any area.

Irvine
Claire Trevor School of the Arts: recommends that freshman applicants take any SAT Subject Tests that will demonstrate the student’s strengths.
Henry Samueli School of Engineering (including the joint Computer Science and Engineering major): Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) closely related to the applicant's intended major.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences: Biology M, Chemistry, and/or Math Level 2.
School of Physical Sciences: Math Level 2.
Program in Public Health Sciences: Biology E, Biology M, and/or Chemistry.
Program in Public Health Policy: Biology E, Biology M, and/or World History.

Los Angeles
Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science: Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) closely related to the applicant's intended major.

Merced
No recommendation at this time.

Riverside
College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Bourns College of Engineering: Math 2 and Chemistry or Physics, for all majors

San Diego
Jacobs School of Engineering and biological or physical sciences majors: Math Level 2 and a science test (Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics) closely related to the applicant’s intended major.

Santa Barbara
College of Engineering: Math Level 2
College of Creative Studies:

• Math Level 2 for math majors
• Math Level 2 and Physics for physics majors
• Biology for biology majors
• Chemistry for biochemistry and chemistry majors
• Math Level 2 for computing majors

Santa Cruz
Not recommended for any area.

Submission deadline

​Freshman applicants for fall 2017 must arrange to have official score reports sent to us by December 2016. If you plan to take an exam December, indicate the planned test date on your admission application.
And don't worry — if you report your scores to one campus, they will be shared with every campus to which you've applied.