For Fall 2021, 1575 colleges, nearly two-thirds of all U.S. universities are test optional (no SAT or ACT scores are required for admissions, but students can choose to submit scores) or test blind (no SAT or ACT scores will be considered, nor requested as part of the admissions evaluation), according to FairTest.
Since nearly two-thirds of all US universities will admit their Class of 2025 without requiring SAT or ACT scores, will admissions officers gain confidence that test scores aren’t needed to fairly and reasonably evaluate an applicant for admissions, essentially overturning an 85 year old precedent? And, if not, what are the arguments to once again require SAT and ACT scores from subsequent classes of college applicants, if students can be admitted fairly without test scores?
Furthermore, if SAT and ACT requirements are reinstituted, will the college Class of 2025 be possibly viewed amongst the competitive academic meritocracy as less-than qualified having been admitted under special circumstances without the requirement of SAT or ACT scores?
While suspending SAT and ACT requirements shows consideration for the extraordinary COVID health emergency, changing a multi-generation college admissions policy may have unintended consequences. Yet, additional deliberations about how to deal with the consequences may be necessary to maintain the integrity of the admissions process thus the value of a college degree.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts where we’ll share updates about the Fall 2021 admissions process.
