The Evolving Role of Standardized Testing in College Admissions

“Sometimes the most brilliant and intelligent students do not shine in standardized tests because they do not have standardized minds.” ~ Diane Ravitch

Standardized testing has been a fixture in college admissions since the SAT debuted in the 1930s and the ACT followed in the late 1950s. Originally designed to predict first-year college GPAs, these tests became a near-universal requirement for college-bound students.

The college admissions landscape has changed dramatically, with more than 80% of U.S. four-year colleges and universities not requiring SAT or ACT scores for fall 2025 admissions—approximately 1,825 institutions. However, testing policies are once again changing, with some schools reinstating testing requirements while others are shifting to test-flexible approaches.

Research at Dartmouth found that SAT or ACT scores predicted first-year college GPAs regardless of income or demographic factors, whereas high school GPAs and class ranks did not. MIT stated that standardized tests help better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants and identify socioeconomically disadvantaged students who lack access to advanced coursework. With over 50% of college applicants having a GPA of A- or better, some colleges believe standardized test scores help differentiate students and curb grade inflation. However, despite media attention on schools reinstating requirements, test-optional and test-blind policies remain the “new normal,” with over 1,700 schools having made these policies permanent. Highly selective schools like Columbia, Vanderbilt, and Duke remain test-optional. 

Admission officers want a complete picture of each applicant. They prioritize academic profile, particularly course rigor and grades earned, along with personal statements, essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters. Research consistently shows that the strongest predictor of college success is performance in challenging high school coursework.

The decision to take or submit scores belongs to each student. When scores fall within a school’s middle 50 percent range, submitting them can strengthen an application. When scores fall below that range, it may be better to emphasize other components. Support is available to help determine which option offers the strongest position for admission success.