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Poll results

On March 15, Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced it would no longer consider SAT and ACT scores when determining whether or not to admit prospective students, following a 2007 decision which made them optional to submit at all. In no longer considering the tests, WPI joins a growing movement aimed at broadening application bases and viewing applicants more three-dimensionally, reporting that, since ending the test requirement, the school has seen 81% more applications from women and 156% more from people of color.

Should all colleges stop considering standardized tests in their admissions?
Yes (58%, 161 VOTES)
No (34%, 94 VOTES)
Other (comment) (8%, 21 VOTES)
Poll Description

On March 15, Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced it would no longer consider SAT and ACT scores when determining whether or not to admit prospective students, following a 2007 decision which made them optional to submit at all. In no longer considering the tests, WPI joins a growing movement aimed at broadening application bases and viewing applicants more three-dimensionally, reporting that, since ending the test requirement, the school has seen 81% more applications from women and 156% more from people of color.

  • 276 Votes
  • 10 Comments
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10 Comments

  • March 25, 2021

    It has been twenty years since Bates College in Lewiston Maine became a leader in test optional admissions. Since that time, Bates has followed more than 7,000 students and found that "there were no meaningful differences in academic performance between test score submitters and non-submitters." Here is their data as reported by The National Center for Fair and Open Testing.

    * The difference in graduation rates between the two groups was .1 percent.
    * The average undergraduate GPA of test submitters was 3.11. For non-submitters it was 3.06.
    * Academic ratings assigned to applicants by Bates admissions staff were equally accurate whether or not test scores were submitted.
    * Test optional admissions sharply increased application rates from students of color and women, as well as those from low income and blue-collar backgrounds. The policy also helped student with learning disabilities and international students gain admission.
    * Non-submitters were more likely to major in fields that put a premium on creativity and originality.

    Does this data call into question the validity of standardized tests in the admission process? It definitely causes one to think.

    Joan Bress, LICSW, CEP
    College Resource Associates

  • March 25, 2021
    I was a mediocre high school student. When I applied to colleges, my SAT score was a major factor in my acceptances because it showed I had capabilities and learning skills that were better than my high school academics implied. I do not believe that standardized testing should be required, but good results on them can help colleges make better informed choices. I did graduate from college and went on to have a highly successful career in the corporate world with two Fortune companies, and then founding my own successful company that I ran for 27 years.
  • March 23, 2021
    As a life long educator, I can state without doubt, that standardized testing is biased and an inaccurate measure of a student's intelligence or ability to improve. "Watering down the talent pool" means we may as well stop teaching all together. Building a strong talent pool is what education should be focused on instead. Not all students should go to a college, so the trades and job skills should be given equal emphasis in high school. Relying on a single test on a single day, to determine a students worth or future, is educationally and morally wrong. If we defunded standardized testing, our educational outcomes would improve tremendously GUARANTEED. Teaching for the test which most educators are forced into doing, has been a disaster for our children. It starts in preK and we are seeing the lack in social skills development as the outcome of test focus. Most people have no idea how this actually functions. It is a major money grab. The standardized test publishing companies DESIGN tests to show failure or weakness. When failure is shown, guess where the remedial materials are purchased from... YUP. Education in America has been corrupted by the for-profit business world who had a big advocate in Betsy Devoss. Until people start seeing this and say "no more", education will continue to be an issue in this country. I would place a bet on the success of those students who are being accepted into college based on their whole package. They are so much more than a score!
  • Bill Orr
    March 23, 2021

    Colleges should use standardized tests, as well as other metrics, as part of the admittance requirements.

  • March 23, 2021

    ALL standardized tests should be stopped. Teach each person what they need/want to know, even if it takes a little longer. Don't rush, don't generalize.