By Sophie Tuan
Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT have long been required by colleges as a key part of the admissions process. These tests are meant to show a student’s readiness for college level academics. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic colleges were forced to go test optional as the world shut down and testing centers were closed. Even after the pandemic ended many schools, like the UC system, still choose to remain test-optional—opting for a more holistic admissions process. Recently, though, highly selective colleges such as MIT, Stanford, Brown, Dartmouth, and other Ivy Leagues have reinstated standardized test scores as part of the admissions process starting with the class of 2026 (Forbes Article).
Some argue that test scores are not an accurate measure of academic aptitude and do not take into consideration other circumstances students might have: access to resources, balancing jobs, home life, or the schools they attend. On the other hand, admissions officers say that SAT and ACT scores are not meant to define a student but rather help admissions contextualize the applicants. For example, a student with a submitted score that would generally be considered “low” but that scored within the top percentile of their school could be helpful in the admissions process as it would help put the student’s circumstances into perspective. Additionally, test scores help provide further insights into applicants’ academic rigor as recent grade inflation has lowered the value of high GPAs (due to an increasing average GPA across the highschool student body). Not only do standardized tests help with the admissions process, scores also are a factor into which major a student is accepted into; generally, STEM majors require higher test scores. This process is meant to help students find their best recommended majors, but it is debated whether test-score based majors is the best way to go. Many students claim that test scores should not define whether or not they are accepted into their intended major, arguing instead that admissions should look at passion over flat test scores because passion inspires grit (PBS News Interview).
Estimates show a growing number of colleges planning to reinstate required testing scores either during the 2025-2026 cycle or the 2026-2027 graduation cycle. Based on current trends, standardized testing is definitely making its comeback.