Over the past few years, many colleges and universities across the country have been switching to test-optional. Currently, all eight Ivy League schools do not require test scores and Columbia University announced that they will be permanently test-optional. The Covid-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for increasing colleges that are test optional because many tests were canceled due to limited access to test centers. Consequently, many schools kept their test optional policies even after test centers opened up again.
This is beneficial for students because by knowing that colleges don’t require test scores, students can submit their scores based on whether they think it is a good representation of their academic abilities or not. Furthermore, this will put more emphasis on students’ transcripts and grades, which more accurately describe the amount of effort students put into their school work. In addition, transcripts represent the students as individuals because their interests and passions can be known based on the courses they took in their high school years.
“I think that it [the test optional policy] accounts for students that do well in class but not in standardized tests. Overall, it depends on the type of student you feel like you are,” senior Myura Nimalan said.
By making test scores optional, this also encourages students to apply to more colleges and universities. This comes from the idea that students need a specific score in order to get in or even apply to some schools. However, standardized test scores should not make students feel like they are not good enough for a particular college. This is one reason why George Washington University became test-optional.
“We want outstanding students from all over the world and from all different backgrounds – regardless of standardized scores – to recognize GW as a place where they can thrive,” Dean of Admissions at George Washington University Karen Stroud Felton said to the Washington Post.
The test optional policy also makes the college application process more fair. Currently, many SAT and ACT prep courses are offered to students. Advertising can be seen on many platforms such as YouTube and emails. However, oftentimes these classes are not free and not all students can afford to pay, such as the SAT 1400+ Course offered by the Princeton Review, which is $2,199. Further, many students with family responsibilities and work do not have the time to take these courses. Therefore, by making test scores optional, more students can be a part of the college application process. This also relates to how the process becomes more holistic because colleges will focus more on other aspects of students’ lives.
“I believe that there will be more weightage towards the other aspects of your application,” Nimalan said.
There are many consequences and effects of the test optional policy. However, one definite benefit it has for students is that students are able to choose whether to send their scores or not. Therefore, test optional policies enable students to make decisions for themselves and this adds in more value to the college application process itself.
