Overview

• 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.