Why Colleges Want Standardized Test Scores Again

During the COVID-19 pandemic, students lost over three months of math, reading, and science instructional time. The disruption to learning and the curriculum loss has never been fully addressed, so students are not entering college with the same level of academic preparedness that the colleges had come to expect. The University of Texas has reported that 25% of freshman students failed first-year calculus. Professors nationwide report students struggling with basic algebra, fractions, and mathematical reasoning, necessitating colleges to provide pre-college remediation courses, which are quite costly.

Like it or not, standardized tests have solid predictive data for the colleges. The SAT and ACT are strong predictors of college success, sometimes outperforming GPA. They illustrate preparedness for math and reading, which strongly correlate to academic success in college. MIT and Johns Hopkins have reported that students who submitted scores had a higher GPA in college. Colleges are reaching for this predictive data to avoid having to remediate the gaps in their students’ knowledge.

High schools vary widely in their grading standards, course difficulty, and resources. Standardized test scores help college admissions compare students more objectively. The SAT & ACT provide a common benchmark across students from different high schools, regions, and backgrounds. The score also roots out high schools with grade inflation; a student with 4.0 and a low SAT is not as compelling as one who produces the GPA and a high score. Conversely, a strong SAT score can strengthen an application by showcasing academic readiness even if that student had limited AP classes to take.

Colleges often cite the surge in applications that occurred after a test-optional policy was put in place, as a big reason to re-initiate a standardized test requirement. The colleges struggled to manage the volume of applications and from a very practical perspective, requiring scores reduces applications and weeds out candidates that do not meet the college’s standard for admission. Admissions prefer a trust but verify policy; if you have a 3.8 GPA, show me an SAT or ACT score that validates that GPA.

There was an argument that eliminating SAT would increase acceptance for underrepresented students. However, many colleges now argue that when used properly, standardized tests identify talented students from under-resourced schools. Their guiding wisdom is that smart kids everywhere will find ways to be academically challenged, and their scores will reflect their intellect.

Finally, the pressure colleges feel to rank highly on lists like US News & World Report is real. Requiring test scores increases their exclusivity and can increase their college rank. Colleges are a business, and as tuition prices have surged exponentially beyond inflation, a high rank on a national college list may offer more validity for their high cost.

Essential College Coaches teaches our students how to be academically prepared in the classroom and ready to maximize their standardized test scores. Whether you're aiming for Ivy League institutions, state universities, or small liberal arts colleges, we equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to stand out and succeed in the competitive world of college admissions.