U of I System makes standardized tests optional

URBANA, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) — In the coming years, standardized tests will not be required to apply to colleges within the University of Illinois System.

The University of Illinois System Board of Trustees' Executive Committee approved a request to let high school students apply to the three universities without taking standardized tests.

This is in effect for those applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), or University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years.

UIUC, UIS, and UIC requested this change in response to COVID-19 restrictions on large gatherings, which may affect students' ability to take the SAT or ACT.

In addition, this decision extends a policy that allows test-optional admissions at the three universities for the 2021-22 academic year.

The University of Illinois System said many other institutions across the country have already extended test-optional policies due to the pandemic.