For generations, the ACT and SAT have been major parts of the college admissions process. Today, that’s beginning to change. Colleges are rethinking how much these test scores should matter when deciding who gets accepted.
More than a thousand colleges and universities now have test-optional admissions, meaning students can choose whether to send in their ACT or SAT scores. This policy became common during the COVID-19 pandemic and has stayed in place. Supporters say test-optional policies make the process fairer, especially for students who don’t test well or can’t afford expensive test-prep classes. Critics argue that without scores, it’s harder for colleges to compare students from different schools. “It definitely took a load of stress off my shoulders now knowing that some of my dream schools don’t require test scores,” senior Aadi Chaudhari said.
The ACT itself has also changed to fit this new way of thinking. Colleges now pay less attention to their science section, which focuses on analyzing data instead of testing science facts according to the ACT website. Because of this, students are changing how they study, focusing more on general skills like reading and problem-solving. Educators say this shift shows that a student’s potential can’t be measured by one kind of question or one type of test.
Certain schools have decided to bring testing back. Colleges such as MIT, Yale and Dartmouth recently reinstated testing requirements, saying that test scores give them a consistent way to compare students from different high schools. “I believe that this keeps the college application process fair because we all have to take a similar test,” Filbert said.
The result is confusion for students. Students have to decide for themselves whether it’s worth taking or submitting the exams. A strong score can help their application, but good grades, essays and activities also show their strengths. “Some schools don’t even regard test scores in the initial wave of applicants, making it feel like a waste of time preparing for it,” senior Siena McCarthy said.
Experts say standardized testing will probably stay part of college admissions, but not as the main factor. Instead, colleges are likely to keep focusing on multiple parts of a student’s record to get a fuller picture of who they are. As these policies continue to change, the decision to take the ACT or SAT depends more than ever on each student’s goals and the schools they want to attend. “I didn’t do too well on the science section of the ACT, which is why I decided to take the SAT instead. If I knew that section was becoming less important, I might have made a different choice,” senior Bryson Filbert said
