Standardized Tests: A Reliable Predictor of College Success?

Despite Controversy, Research Suggests Tests Are Less Biased and More Accurate Than Other Admission Criteria

Standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT have been under attack for years, with many institutions making them optional or abandoning them completely.
Recent research suggests that standardized test scores are more reliable than high school grades in predicting college success, due to grade inflation in recent years.
Standardized tests are seen as less biased than other parts of the college application process, like extracurricular activities, college essays and teacher recommendations.
Test scores are particularly helpful in identifying lower-income students and underrepresented minorities who will thrive in college.
Despite the backlash against standardized tests, some institutions like M.I.T. have reinstated their test requirement and reported more diverse class admissions.