The Numberphile Podcast

To SAT, or not SAT, that is the question

August 11, 2026·37 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

A growing number of people claim being “test blind” to applicants’ SAT scores is lowering standards at the University of California. Math Professor Zvezda Stankova is among the academics calling for SATs to be re-introduced to the admissions process.Jane Street intern applications (episode sponsor): https://jane-st.co/internships2027-NumberphilePodHere’s the Open Letter signed by over 3000 people at UC (including five Nobel laureates, they are keen to point out): https://ucstudentsuccess.org/

This New York Times editorial gave the issue extra prominence: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/06/opinion/university-california-sat-testing-admissions.htmlThis LA Times comment pieces argues against re-introducing SATs to the process: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-07-08/chabria-column-uc-sat-act-admissionsNumberphile videos with Zvezda: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt5AfwLFPxWIbAPK1oJgRIpe0sWiPKkQ4Numberphile Podcast interview with Zvezda about her life and career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGbASf6W7SENumberphile is supported by Jane Street - https://www.numberphile.com/jane-streetWith thanks to the Ben Delo Foundation - https://delo.org/You can support Numberphile on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/numberphileHere are our Patrons - https://www.numberphile.com/patronsNumberphile is created by Brady Haran

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