Standardized testing should be reimplemented into schools. During the COVID-19 pandemic, standardized tests became optional in college applications for the first time since 1935. This decision was ultimately made to protect the students during the pandemic years that did not have the ability to take the SAT or ACT. Recently, this narrative has begun switching back to pre-pandemic ways, with Dartmouth being the first Ivy League school to bring back the requirement and a couple non-Ivies already doing so. Critics of standardized tests argue that there are inequalities with these tests. The National Education Association states, “On average, students of color score lower on college admissions tests, thus many capable youth are denied entrance or access to so-called ‘merit’ scholarships, contributing to the huge racial gap in college enrollments and completion.” Unfortunately, this racial inequality continues to persist in today’s society. However, colleges may acknowledge these inequalities when looking at test scores, and it has been found that when standardized testing is mandatory, Dartmouth was able to accept a more diverse class because the tests allowed them to find talented applicants who were first in their family to go to college, from low- or middle-income families, and those from rural and urban areas.
Not only do standardized tests allow for better identification for low-income and first-generation students, they also help to serve as key predictors for their success in college. Success of undergraduates is one of the most important things that colleges look for. In a study reported by The Washington Post, “[Four Dartmouth professors] found that the tests were very predictive of how well students do in college, said Bruce Sacerdote, a professor of economics at Dartmouth who was part of the group studying the issue — and that held true across demographic groups.” Standardized tests protect not just colleges but prospective students attempting to get in. According to Prosperity, “The average college dropout rate for undergraduate students is 40% in the United States.” This number is only increasing, and it is becoming clear that college admissions processes are flawed in their measures for success, especially coming out of the test-optional policies of the pandemic.
Inequalities in America’s education system will always continue to exist and cause many problems for students across the nations. Even still, there are more benefits with standardized testing that must be considered overall than just the perceived inequalities seen in the testing results. Of course, minorities and low-income students will have lower average test scores, but this will be taken into consideration for colleges as they look at applications holistically. As such, these test scores are really helpful for predicting success of potential students at the college, and ensure both the image of the college stays intact, and its undergraduates will have the best experience possible. The common misconception of inequalities in standardized testing may be seen in studies that specifically look at average test scores. However, the scores must be taken in context with the entire application, and according to Forbes, “Tests like these serve to promote equity and counter privilege. That’s a message that should resonate today, not just in Hanover, New Hampshire, but on college campuses far and wide.” Therefore, standardized tests need to be mandatory across more colleges to ensure the fairness of America’s education system.
