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Cal State Prof Warns Scrapping SAT Hurts Unprepared Students
Andrea Mays says dropping standardized tests in the name of 'inclusivity' is disservicing students who arrive on campus underprepared.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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A California economics professor at Cal State Long Beach is sounding the alarm on the 'deficits in learning' she is seeing in the classroom, arguing that the decision to scrap standardized testing requirements like the SAT in the name of 'inclusivity' is actually a disservice to the students it claims to help. Professor Andrea Mays says many students are arriving on campus unprepared for basic coursework, with high dropout rates, especially in math classes.
Why it matters
The California State University system recently moved to 'multi-factored admission criteria' that focuses on high school GPA, extracurriculars, and socioeconomic factors instead of standardized test scores. Mays argues this is leaving many students unprepared and struggling, undermining the goal of providing greater access and opportunity.
The details
Mays says the drop rate is up 'phenomenally' and that chairs of other departments tell her it's widespread, with 25% of students dropping classes, with math being a key area where students are coming in underprepared. She says many students are embarrassed and demoralized by their lack of basic skills, and some are too ashamed to even seek help. Mays argues that 'access without readiness is not opportunity' and that 'pretending preparation gaps do not exist is not equity'.
- In 2022, the California State University system officially moved to 'multi-factored admission criteria' that eliminated the SAT and ACT requirement.
The players
Andrea Mays
A California economics professor at Cal State Long Beach who is sounding the alarm on the 'deficits in learning' she is seeing in the classroom.
California State University System
The public university system in California that recently eliminated the SAT and ACT requirement for admission in the name of 'inclusivity'.
What they’re saying
“I can show them, but those are the students who are actually coming to me and asking me for help. There are lots of other students who are just too embarrassed even to do that, and who just end up dropping the class.”
— Andrea Mays, Professor (1010wcsi.com)
“Access without readiness is not opportunity. It is a disservice. If CSU is serious about student success, affordability, and equity, it must be willing to measure preparedness — and act on what it finds.”
— Andrea Mays, Professor (1010wcsi.com)
“Pretending preparation gaps do not exist is not equity.”
— Andrea Mays, Professor (1010wcsi.com)
What’s next
The California State University System did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital, so it remains to be seen if they will reconsider their decision to eliminate the SAT and ACT requirement in light of the concerns raised by Professor Mays.
The takeaway
This case highlights the potential unintended consequences of eliminating standardized testing requirements in the name of 'inclusivity' - it may actually be leaving many students unprepared and struggling, undermining the goal of providing greater access and opportunity. The California State University system will need to carefully evaluate the impacts of this policy change and consider ways to better support underprepared students.
