The University of California eased admission requirements for incoming freshman and transfer students affected by the coronavirus pandemic by removing SAT requirements and accepting pass/no pass grading.

The 10-campus institution announced Wednesday that it was suspending the standardized testing required for students applying for fall 2021 admission and that it would not rescind admission offers for students who cannot meet the deadlines to turn in documents such as transcripts.

“We want to help alleviate the tremendous disruption and anxiety that is already overwhelming prospective students due to COVID-19,” said John A. Pérez, chair of the Board of Regents, the governing board for UC.

“By removing artificial barriers and decreasing stressors – including suspending the use of the SAT – for this unprecedented moment in time, we hope there will be less worry for our future students.”

Letter-grade requirements for core subjects taken in the winter, spring, and summer 2020 semesters also are suspended, including for transfers students, the regents said in a statement.

The cap on the number of pass/no pass grades the university system will accept has also been removed for transfers.

The University of California called the changes short-term critical measures that will apply to future students as long as needed.

The shift comes as high school students face school closures due to COVID-19 that have made it challenging to meet university requirements, such as standardized testing and college entrance exams.

About 215,000 students applied for fall 2020 admission to a UC school, including about 43,000 transfer students, according to UC data.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab on our website.

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 1:05 PM.