The Comeback: Standardized Testing And College Admissions

For a while, it seemed as though using SAT or ACT scores as a metric in the college admissions process was becoming a thing of the past. Critics of both tests argued that students from lower-income backgrounds were at a disadvantage compared with their higher-income peers, given the former’s more limited access to test-preparation resources and the ability to take the ACT or SAT multiple times in an effort to improve their “superscore.”

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which appeared to deliver a knockout blow to standardized testing. The logistical challenges of administering mass testing during a global pandemic led many colleges and universities to adopt test-optional policies, and “test optional” quickly became an accepted phrase in the college admissions landscape.

But recent trends suggest that standardized testing is making a comeback. More and more colleges and universities are once again using SAT and ACT scores as an important component of the college application process.

So, what changed?

That question is difficult to answer definitively. However, recent studies, including research published by Princeton University and other highly regarded institutions, have raised questions about the effectiveness of test-optional admissions. Some research suggests that students admitted without submitting test scores have, in certain cases, underperformed academically when compared with students who submitted standardized test scores.

This does not mean that test-optional admissions have disappeared—far from it. However, an increasing number of colleges and universities are once again requiring applicants to submit either an ACT or SAT score. These include all eight Ivy League institutions, the public university systems in Georgia and Florida, and highly selective institutions such as MIT, Caltech, and Georgetown, to name just a few.

So, what does this mean for future applicants?

If you are interested in attending one of these schools—or simply want to keep your college options open—it makes sense to develop a plan for preparing for either the SAT or ACT. Both tests offer practice versions that allow students to become familiar with the format, question types, and timing before taking the actual exam.

The SAT tends to be more popular in the Northeast. In fact, many public high schools in the region administer the PSAT and SAT during the school day and use the results to help inform curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The ACT has traditionally been more prevalent in the Midwest, although both tests are accepted by colleges and universities throughout the country.

The College Board, which administers the PSAT and SAT, also provides a number of free preparation resources. These include access to Khan Academy for personalized math practice as well as Bluebook, the testing platform students use to take the digital SAT on official test dates.

For some students, these resources may be sufficient. For others, individualized support from an experienced test-preparation professional may be a worthwhile investment.

The bottom line? Standardized testing may not be the college admissions “must” that it once was, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for students to ignore. If you are beginning the college search process, preparing for the SAT or ACT early can help keep more doors open—and give you one more opportunity to showcase what you can do.