When it comes to college admissions, standardized tests like the Standardized Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT) are critical factors in an application. More recently, however, there has been a growing number of critics who argue that these exams are outdated, biased, or no longer necessary in the college admissions process. As a result, many universities and colleges have made standardized tests optional in the application process. However, it is imperative that standardized tests remain a required component of one’s college admissions as it evaluates the academic preparedness of students.
As the name indicates, standardized tests are the same format for everyone, guaranteeing an even playing field for students no matter where they are. As the U.S. education system is not entirely balanced, there are vast differences in school resources and opportunities available to students from varying schools. “I know that the teaching level is varied throughout the country. [So], I am taking the ACT to strengthen my application,” explained junior Charlie Travis. These tests provide students another chance to prove their academic prowess. Without them, admissions officers are simply left with a student’s grades or extracurricular activities, making it even harder for them to have a true understanding of the student. AP English Language and Composition teacher Jill Garfunkel expressed, “An ‘A’ at Lynbrook is different from an ‘A’ at another school. We need some standard of measure. It’s for everyone’s benefit.” Ultimately, by using the tests as a benchmark, colleges and universities can make much fairer comparisons between students during the process.
While high school grades are undoubtedly important, they can sometimes be an unreliable indicator of academic potential in colleges, thus creating a risk of future grade deflation for a student in university. Standardized tests offer an objective and consistent measure of one’s academic ability. As both the SAT and ACT are designed to assess a student’s preparedness for college-level work by testing distinct skills, they will make a clearer and more trustworthy impression of each student’s academic capabilities to the admission officers. “Our high school curriculum is not directly related to the SAT. It really tests your understanding of the concept in both math and reading, ” emphasized junior Charles Horton, who recently took the SAT.
Therefore, according to Harvard Graduate School of Education (gse.harvard.edu), the SAT and ACT are a real lifeline for people who do not attend elite schools. This is significant because attending an Ivy School or another top university can provide an otherwise unattainable potential for social and economic mobility. “Kids [who] do well under the rigor of a demanding test should have a realistic understanding of the kind of rigor expected of them at top schools. Kids who do not do well should have a more realistic view of where they might be successful,” Garfunkel added. It provides a more meritocratic way of evaluating students, as they are designed to focus on fundamental academic skills.
Ultimately, standardized tests should not be the principal conclusive factor for college applications but instead remain as an essential part of the evaluation process. The tests provide common ground for comparison, reward merits, and encourage academic preparedness. Rather than having the standardized tests be an option in admissions, colleges and universities should work toward ensuring equal opportunities for all students. “The test should be used as an indicator for the best possible fit for your academic success. And success is determined by how hard you work anywhere once you are at the college that is the right one for you along with the natural process of maturity,” Garfunkel added.
