Why elite colleges are bringing the SAT back

Amid the ongoing discussions about college admissions in the United States, the focus has shifted to the role of standardized testing. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous elite colleges began allowing applicants to submit their applications without SAT or ACT scores. The rationale behind this move was to alleviate the challenges faced by students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, in accessing and preparing for these exams. The anti-testing movement, which argues that standardized tests exacerbate inequalities, found additional support during the pandemic.

However, recent developments signal a reversal in this trend. Yale University, Dartmouth College, and MIT have reinstated testing requirements, citing new research that suggests standardized tests can benefit admissions decisions, especially for marginalized students. While critics argue that standardized tests perpetuate inequality, researchers have discovered that test-optional policies may inadvertently disadvantage students from low-income backgrounds, who opt not to submit scores for fear of imperfection.

Studies indicate that standardized test scores can provide valuable insights into a student’s potential for academic success in college. Admissions officers consider various factors, including test scores, to gauge a student’s likelihood of thriving in a university environment. Contrary to the belief that standardized tests are biased, research suggests they can help identify high-achieving students from less advantaged backgrounds who may otherwise go unnoticed in the admissions process.

Yale and Dartmouth stress that test scores are just one component of their holistic review processes, considering various factors. Despite the reinstatement of testing requirements at select institutions, the majority of colleges and universities in the US remain test-optional. However, the debate surrounding standardized testing in admissions continues, with proponents and critics presenting contrasting viewpoints on its fairness and effectiveness………..[read more]

Rising Dough

Amidst the discourse on standardized testing in college admissions, consider this: How do the decisions made by elite colleges regarding testing requirements impact the broader landscape of higher education, including the economy, marketing strategies of educational services, and the perceptions of prospective students and investors in the education sector?

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