WisconsinUW-Madison would base admissions mostly on objective tests
If enacted, UW-Madison would base most undergraduate admission decisions on ACT, SAT, or similar tests beginning with applications for the 2027-28 academic year.
What it does
UW-Madison undergraduate admission decisions would rely mostly on ACT, SAT, or similar objective testing, except for guaranteed-admission applicants, starting with 2027-28 applications.
Argument forUsing common readiness tests could give applicants and the university a more consistent basis for comparing undergraduate applications.
Argument againstRelying mostly on test results may overlook applicants whose readiness is not well shown by standardized exams.
More detail
The UW System Board would ensure that UW-Madison bases undergraduate admission decisions mostly on college entrance tests or similar objective measures. This applies to undergraduate admission decisions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. College entrance tests include the ACT, SAT, or similar national or regional tests that measure college readiness. The requirement would not apply to applicants admitted through the guaranteed admission program. This would first apply to applications for admission for the 2027-28 academic year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82Latest
- May 12Placed on calendar 5-12-2026 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- Apr 3Report vetoed by the Governor Tony Evers on 4-3-2026Major
- Apr 2Presented to the Governor on 4-2-2026To Governor
- Mar 24Report correctly enrolled on 3-24-2026Minor
- Mar 18Received from Senate concurred inMinor
- Mar 17Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 17Read a third time and concurred inPassed Senate
- Mar 17Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Mar 17Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Mar 17Read a second timeMinor
- Mar 16Placed on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 9Available for scheduling
- Vote recorded Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 3, Noes 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Report concurrence recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 3, Noes 2Minor
- Mar 9Executive action taken
- Mar 4Public hearing held
- Feb 16Read first time and referred to committee on Universities and Technical CollegesMinor
- Feb 13Received from AssemblyMinor
- Feb 12Ordered immediately messaged
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Read a third time and passed, Ayes 52, Noes 45Passed Assembly
- Feb 12Rules suspended
- Feb 12Ordered to a third readingMinor
- Feb 12Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 adoptedMajor
- Feb 12Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representative GustafsonMinor
- Feb 12Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representative SubeckMinor
- Feb 12Assembly Amendment 1 adoptedMajor
- Feb 12Read a second timeMinor
- Feb 12Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representative SubeckMinor
- Feb 10Placed on calendar 2-12-2026 by Committee on Rules
- Vote recorded Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10Referred to committee on RulesMinor
- Feb 10Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4Minor
- Feb 10Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Colleges and Universities, Ayes 7, Noes 4Minor
- Feb 10Executive action taken
- Feb 9Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative GustafsonMinor
- Feb 5Public hearing held
- Feb 4Representative Kitchens added as a coauthor
- Feb 3Read first time and referred to Committee on Colleges and UniversitiesMinor
- Feb 3Introduced by Representatives Gustafson, Murphy, O'Connor, Brill and Dittrich; cosponsored by Senator TestinIntroduced
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