Since universities and colleges adopted test optional policies in 2020, there has been speculation about whether standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT would ever return to a time of being required universally for admission purposes.
Over the last four years, we have seen a semi-return of standardized testing, and it is beginning to play a more prominent role in the admissions process. The prediction among professionals within higher education and test prep is that this return will only grow. Here are some of the reasons why the ACT and SAT still matter for college admissions:
Testing is a benchmark (among several benchmarks) in a holistic review process.
Admissions officers like to look at several factors before deciding whether to admit a student or not. When academic rigor, performance, and even activities look similar among applicants, testing is another component that gives an overall picture of an applicant’s profile. If a student can prepare and score well within a school’s middle range among accepted students from previous years, it can demonstrate areas of competitiveness.
Testing shows academic preparation for success in college.
There is research that points to standardized testing as an indicator in demonstrating college preparedness. With varying levels of academic instruction at high schools across the country (and world), the SAT and ACT can help admissions offices ensure that a student has successfully demonstrated proficiency in core areas of language arts, critical reading, math, science, and writing.
Universities and colleges often use testing as one factor in awarding merit scholarships.
For several universities and colleges in the US, testing is used as one criterion for awarding merit scholarships. Often, the GPA and an ACT or SAT score are factors in determining whether a student will be offered a merit scholarship (not need-based). Award amounts can vary, but some can be as generous as full-tuition, room and board, as well as a computer.
Several highly selective universities are now requiring the ACT or SAT.
If a student wants to apply to MIT, Caltech, Brown, and Georgetown, then it’s no longer optional to submit scores, but required. These are not isolated policies and other universities and colleges will reinstitute testing in the future. For the foreseeable future, students will have a variety of universities and colleges that both require and do not require standardized testing. To maximize chances of admission at any strong institution of higher education, the strategic choice is to properly plan, prep, and take the SAT or ACT.
