Standardized testing… is it a thing of the past?

By Kaela Ricket

It is that time of the year again, where the high school seniors get prepared to continue their academic future at a university by applying to different colleges. This process starts with standardized testing such as the ACT and the SAT. For years an individual’s academic level would be based on these tests, and therefore would determine what colleges would welcome them to study there. To some, these tests seem unfair because how can one test measure one’s full academic value? Due to COVID-19 many testing centers canceled their testing days last year and got canceled, which made many colleges realize they couldn’t require testing at least for this year. Although this change was meant to be a temporary one-time thing, some universities are making ACT and SAT scores optional on all applications. This move to make standardized testing obsolete may not be over.

Seniors this year are not applying to colleges as they might have envisioned in their earlier years. Many thought they would be doing in-person visits to the schools and in-person meetings. Another thing that has changed is the universities’ attitudes toward standardized testing. Athens High School senior Jack Myers says, “ “I think it is important that colleges consider test scores in conjunction with other merits. Some students do not prioritize studying for standardized tests or feel that they are unskilled at test-taking. Looking at a student's entire profile gives a better picture of what they might contribute to the school's community.” Myers expressed his thoughts on limiting standardized testing and included the thought that it is important for a college to look at the whole student's profile, and not focus on just the testing.

College freshmen also have a unique experience with college admissions due to COVID. Although most seniors had taken the ACT and SAT tests before the virus hit, many still have opinions on incoming freshmen not having to include their score. Ohio University freshman, Maya Djalali-Gomez states, “I do believe that these tests will become obsolete and I hope they do. In my opinion, standardized testing does not paint an accurate picture of what kind of scholar you are or will be in college. Therefore the tests should not be a basis for college acceptance.” Djalali-Gomez expresses that standardized testing is inaccurate and outdated. She is hopeful these tests will become obsolete in the future.

Guidance counselors also have a stance on requirements for the ACT and SAT scores. Many believe that colleges should fully drop standardized testing in the application process. In an article done by Education Weekly, statistics show that college admissions officers don’t value these test scores. Only 12 percent of guidance counselors believe that test scores give correct insight into a student’s potential.

Although standardized testing has been the way of measuring one's college readiness ability for decades, is it time for a change? Maybe COVID-19 will produce an outcome of universities realizing that a test such as the SAT and ACT cannot determine what the future of each individual will hold.

References- Gewertz, Catherine. “High School Counselors Think Colleges Should Drop SAT, ACT Requirements.” Education Week - High School & Beyond, 24 Sept. 2018, blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2018/09/high_school_counselors_colleges_should_drop_SAT_ACT_requirements.html.