In the labyrinth that is college admissions, students devote hours of stress and hard work to tackling the all-powerful SAT. However, as times change, colleges are moving toward looking at the character and impact of a person rather than their grades and test scores.
US News and World Report notes that as of 2024, around 1,900 colleges worldwide have moved away from requiring SAT or ACT scores in their application process. Many have been fighting for this for years as it has been found that standardized testing is inherently flawed and detrimental to the admissions process as it perpetuates inequality and stress while also being an overall inaccurate representation of a student.
The University of Southern Florida has found that students who partake in formal study classes are able to raise their scores. Those with financial struggles or with part-time jobs might not have access to these resources, ultimately putting them at a disadvantage. Because of this, many call the SAT a wealth test. According to MNBC, The wealthiest one percent of students in America are thirteen times more likely to score higher on the SAT in comparison to the poorest bunch.
As stated by Get Schooled, students are required to pay a fee of around sixty dollars simply to take the test. The SAT can be taken as many times as students desire. Taking the test multiple times allows for students to better understand the content and structure of the test; making it shockingly simple to improve the more it is taken. The benefits of retaking the test are substantial to the point that the College Board suggests taking the test at least twice. However, many students do not have the luxury to continuously retake the test, putting kids in lower-income families at a significant disadvantage.
Students often endure copious levels of stress due to standardized testing as it is a common misconception that a person’s academic future as well as career can be determined by the SAT. A 2018 study completed by the National Bureau of Economic Research observed the cortisol content of saliva in a select group of students prior to completing their standardized test. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced in excess when a person experiences high levels of anxiety. A discovered fifteen percent increase in cortisol led to an average eighty-point drop in overall test scores. In students grappling with personal economic and familial instability, there is an average thirty-five percent increase in cortisol.
The SAT generally is known to reflect intelligence. With this, colleges are able to utilize test scores to determine the ability of a student to thrive at a school. Using SATs in this way discounts the many factors that are not apparent through testing. Psychologist Claude Steele found that the SATs reflect around eighteen percent of a student’s overall academic abilities; ultimately deeming the test ineffective. The SATs also fail to prove a person’s ability to adapt and learn in a school environment. Growth and a student’s ability to develop can be seen in the fluctuation of a person’s grades. This cannot be measured by the SAT.
Many students feel as though their strongest abilities do not lie in test-taking. Making SATs optional allows them to highlight their other more impactful abilities.
It is important to remember that behind every SAT is a unique individual that deserves an opportunity to prove their determination, individuality, and overall intellectual potential.
