The SAT and ACT are returning. But should they?

The SAT, a longtime mainstay of American college admissions, is making a comeback as a requirement at certain universities, reigniting discussions and causing anxiety throughout the educational community. Requirements have been in a flux both during and in the wake of COVID-19, leaving students, parents, and college admissions advisors perplexed and anxious.

For many years, the SAT and ACT have been essential components of the college admissions process in the United States. These assessments were created to offer a common gauge of intellectual ability and preparedness for work at the college level, assisting admissions officers in comparing applicants with different educational experiences. Standardized exams have a controversial place in college admissions, nevertheless, as they are perceived to perpetuate social and educational disparities.

The COVID-19 epidemic caused previously unheard-of disruptions to educational systems across the globe, including testing center closures. Many schools and universities swiftly adjusted in response, removing or changing their mandates for standardized testing. This change was made to help students who were unable to take the exams in person. The modifications, however, spurred a more thorough review of the use of standardized testing in admissions procedures.

Some schools have brought back assessment requirements as the world has adapted to the new normal. Prestigious colleges like Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, and Brown, for instance, have declared that they will once again require results from standardized tests. They cited studies showing that test results can be used to find talented individuals from underprivileged backgrounds who might otherwise go unnoticed.

On the other hand, certain universities, such as Columbia University and the University of Chicago, still have test-optional policies, indicating a growing understanding that standardized examinations might not be the best or only way to gauge a student's potential. Universities like Princeton and Harvard have continued to provide test-optional admissions; Harvard intends to keep this policy in place at least for the 2025–2026 application season.

There has been a mixed reaction to the return of standardized testing. Public universities exhibit a variety of strategies: the University of Tennessee system mandates exams, the University of Michigan system continues to allow tests, and the University of California system has chosen a test-blind strategy that completely disregards SAT or ACT scores.

Because of this discrepancy, candidates and their advisors are now required to navigate a convoluted web of policies. Students now have to think about not only which universities best suit their academic and social demands, but also how each university's testing regulations can affect their decision about where to apply.

For students, the lack of clarity surrounding testing regulations can have serious psychological consequences. Money, time, and emotional resources must be allocated in order to get ready for the potential demand of a test. The need to perform very well in other application sections, such keeping a high GPA, writing personal essays, and obtaining strong references, adds to the stress.

Standardized tests are perceived by high achievers who want to attend selective institutions as an extra obstacle in an already tough process. On the other hand, the expenses of studying for standardized examinations can be too much for many students, particularly those from disadvantaged families, and they may not even be able to explore certain universities.

Critics contend that because standardized tests favor students who can afford to prepare for them extensively, they worsen already-existing disparities. The fairness and applicability of these exams in the college admissions process are currently being discussed as a result of this. Test-optional policies' proponents contend that this has increased applicant diversity without lowering the intellectual standard of admitted courses.

Standardized tests, in the opinion of several academics and college administrators, are an important instrument for determining a student's likelihood of succeeding in college. Research from prominent universities such as Brown, Yale, and Dartmouth indicates that standardized test scores can help students from underprivileged backgrounds because they are a more reliable indicator of college achievement than high school grades alone.

As additional information becomes accessible and as educational institutions work to strike a balance between academic standards and justice, the argument over the use of standardized tests in college admissions is probably going to continue. The recent choices made by some of the most prestigious universities to bring back testing requirements could have an impact on other colleges and possibly result in a more widespread return of testing requirements in the future.

Students are urged to stay up to date on the most recent policies of the institutions they intend to attend and to be ready for any eventuality for the time being. To keep all options open, even if they want to apply to test-optional colleges, they may need to get ready for standardized tests.

The continuous battle to strike a balance between equity and performance in higher education is highlighted by the SAT and ACT's resurgence in the college admissions process. The difficulty for schools as they negotiate post-pandemic realities will be to put in place regulations that support diversity and inclusivity while also offering a fair and honest appraisal of a student's potential. One of the most important aspects of this dilemma is the way that standardized testing is changing, which is a reflection of larger issues regarding equity, access, and opportunity in American education.