The University of California’s academic senate paused a planned review of standardized testing in admissions, withdrawing its timeline for evaluating the SAT and ACT after previously announcing an update to UC’s president and governing board. BOARS (the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools) said it is revising the review timeline to conduct a more comprehensive, faculty-led assessment. UC had eliminated required standardized testing across its 12 campuses in 2020, and the pandemic accelerated a broader test-optional shift nationally. The latest decision comes after faculty, students, and other stakeholders continued debating whether UC should reinstate some testing requirements as a measure of “college readiness.” UC Board Chair Maria Anguiano said the standardized testing review would remain a major focus for the academic senate and board over the coming year, while BOARS chair Ahmet Palazoglu called for a fresh, evidence-based approach rather than re-litigating old data. For higher education leaders, the case underscores how governance structures and faculty deliberation can reshape admission policy timelines—especially when stakeholders disagree on metrics, equity, and student preparation.