The Return of the Standardized Tests?

June 10, 2024

In recent years, standardized testing in college admissions has been a contentious topic. Many institutions moved away from requiring standardized tests like the SAT and ACT due to concerns about equity, accessibility, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a new trend is emerging: Some prominent institutions reinstate standardized testing requirements for their admissions processes.

One of the most significant moves in this direction came from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In March 2022, MIT announced that it would reinstate SAT and ACT requirements for applicants, beginning with the 2023 admissions cycle. The institution cited data suggesting that standardized tests could help identify talented students from various educational backgrounds, ensuring a more diverse and capable student body. Georgetown University has maintained its commitment to standardized testing throughout the pandemic and beyond, asserting that these tests provide valuable information that aids in assessing a student's academic preparation and potential for success at the university level. Other universities, like the University of Florida and the University of Georgia, have also reverted to requiring standardized test scores after a temporary suspension during the height of the pandemic. These institutions argue that standardized tests are essential to a holistic admissions process, offering a standard measure to compare students from different high schools and educational backgrounds. 

In line with this argument, Yale University unveiled its test-flexible policy for 2025, requiring applicants to submit either SAT, ACT, AP, or IB tests. Shortly after, two additional Ivies, Harvard and Brown, reinstated standardized test mandates for fall 2024. Most recently, on June 7, 2024, Stanford University announced that they will require the SAT or the ACT for undergraduate admission, beginning with their incoming class of 2030 (students applying in fall 2025). 

In contrast, the University of California system, home to prestigious campuses like UCLA and UC Berkeley, has adopted a test-blind policy, acknowledging that family income, parental education levels, and access to test preparation resources can influence standardized test performance. Similarly, the California State University system, one of the largest public university systems in the United States, has also embraced a test-blind approach. These test-blind policies aim to level the playing field for applicants by focusing on other aspects of their applications, such as high school grades, extracurricular activities, and essays. Proponents of this approach argue that it promotes a more holistic evaluation of candidates and reduces barriers for historically underrepresented and marginalized student populations.

As the landscape of college admissions continues to evolve, the role of standardized testing remains a hot topic. While some institutions are reaffirming their commitment to these tests, others remain test-optional or test-blind, emphasizing other aspects of a student's application, such as extracurricular activities, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. The ongoing conversation highlights the complex balance between fairness, accessibility, and the desire to identify and admit the most qualified and diverse student bodies possible. Nevertheless, the most recent policies of some Ivy League and other highly selective colleges suggest that the landscape may shift back to mandating standardized testing.

To get more insights into standardized testing, have a look at my other articles 12 Things To Know About Standardized Testing and the Digital SAT.

#StandardizedTests #SATACT #ReturnOfStandardizedTests