Elite Colleges Reinstate Standardized Testing Requirements

Research supports the decision, showing tests help identify students from disadvantaged backgrounds likely to succeed.

Elite colleges like Yale and Dartmouth are reinstating standardized testing requirements, citing research that shows tests help identify high-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Standardized tests, while criticized for reinforcing inequality, are seen as crucial for admissions decisions, particularly for students from low-resource schools.
Research indicates that test scores are a better predictor of college success than high school grades, essays, or recommendations.
The majority of U.S. colleges remain test-optional, but the debate over the fairness and utility of standardized tests in admissions continues.
Standardized tests offer a unique opportunity for students from under-resourced backgrounds to demonstrate their academic potential.