The War on the SAT | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the focus is on the ongoing debate surrounding the use of standardized tests like the SATs in college admissions. The decision by American colleges to stop requiring these tests in an effort to increase diversity has sparked controversy and new research suggests that this decision may have been a mistake. The episode explores the arguments for and against standardized tests and delves into the complexities of creating a diverse and excellent student body.

Main Takeaways

The Impact of Test-Optional Policies

• American colleges have stopped requiring standardized tests like the SATs in an effort to increase diversity, but new research suggests that this decision may have been a mistake.
• During the pandemic, many colleges announced that standardized tests were no longer required for applications, and most colleges have remained test-optional.
• Advocates argue that standardized tests provide a fair chance for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to showcase their potential.
• Without standardized tests, colleges would have to rely solely on high school grades, leading to guesswork in admissions decisions, particularly for students from less competitive high schools.

The Role of Standardized Tests in Admissions

• The SAT and ACT are good predictors of academic success in college, especially at selective colleges.
• Standardized tests are more rigorous and provide a more equal comparison since high schools have different grading systems and grade inflation is prevalent.
• Test prep has a minimal impact on the gaps in SAT scores, as evidenced by other tests like the NAPE, which do not have test prep but still show similar economic and racial gaps.
• Standardized tests help identify students with potential from diverse backgrounds who may not stand out based on high school grades alone.

The Debate and Challenges

• There is a fear among some college campuses that standardized tests could reduce diversity, stemming from the tests’ historical connection to racism and eugenics in the early 20th century.
• Some colleges are reconsidering the use of SATs in admissions to create diverse student bodies, but they are anxious due to legal risks and the potential for critics to challenge their admissions processes.
• Advocates for the SAT argue that top universities have a mission of excellence and need to find students who can contribute to important research and innovation.
• The debate over standardized tests is part of a larger political debate about the purpose of higher education.

MIT’s Approach and Example

• MIT is an interesting example of a college that uses the SATs in a unique way.
• MIT is one of the most selective colleges in America and has reinstated the SAT or ACT requirement for applicants.
• The decision was based on a study of the last 15 years, which found that students with lower test scores did not perform as well at MIT.
• Despite using the SAT as a factor, MIT has admitted a highly diverse class, with 30% black or Latino students and over 50% students of color.

Summary

The Impact of Test-Optional Policies

American colleges have made standardized tests like the SATs optional in an attempt to increase diversity. However, new research suggests that this decision may have unintended consequences. During the pandemic, many colleges announced that standardized tests were no longer required for applications, leading to a surge in test-optional policies. Advocates argue that standardized tests provide a fair chance for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to showcase their potential. Without standardized tests, colleges would have to rely solely on high school grades, which could lead to guesswork in admissions decisions, particularly for students from less competitive high schools.

The Role of Standardized Tests in Admissions

Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT have long been used as predictors of academic success in college. They provide a more rigorous and equal comparison among students, as high schools have different grading systems and grade inflation is prevalent. Test prep has minimal impact on the gaps in SAT scores, indicating that the disparities reflect real inequalities in American life. Furthermore, standardized tests help identify students with potential from diverse backgrounds who may not stand out based on high school grades alone, providing an opportunity for social mobility.

The Debate and Challenges

The use of standardized tests in college admissions has sparked a heated debate. Critics argue that these tests have a racist history and perpetuate educational disparities based on race and economic class. Some colleges are reconsidering the use of SATs to create diverse student bodies, but they are concerned about legal risks and potential challenges to their admissions processes. On the other hand, advocates for the SAT argue that top universities have a mission of excellence and need to find students who can contribute to important research and innovation. The debate over standardized tests reflects a larger political debate about the purpose of higher education.

MIT’s Approach and Example

MIT provides an interesting example of a college that uses the SATs in a unique way. Despite being one of the most selective colleges in America, MIT has reinstated the SAT or ACT requirement for applicants. This decision was based on a study that found students with lower test scores did not perform as well at MIT. However, MIT has managed to admit a highly diverse class, with a significant percentage of black, Latino, and students of color. This demonstrates that standardized tests can be used as one factor among many to maintain diversity in college admissions.

Conclusion

The debate surrounding the use of standardized tests in college admissions is complex and multifaceted. While there are valid concerns about the historical biases associated with these tests, they also serve as a tool to identify potential in students from diverse backgrounds. MIT’s approach highlights the possibility of using standardized tests in conjunction with other factors to create a diverse and academically prepared student body. As colleges continue to reevaluate their admissions policies, finding the right balance between diversity and excellence remains a challenge in higher education.