Test Optional : Game Changer

[Anonymous]

"Even though many colleges aren’t mandating scores, at least one group of students are still sending them: wealthier ones. In the current application cycle for current high school seniors, 52% of students in the wealthiest households submitted scores this school year, according to data from the Common Application through February. Only 39% of the poorest did so. Applications among first-generation students -- those whose parents didn’t receive bachelor’s degrees -- grew by 21% from two years prior. Only 37% of underrepresented minorities sent in scores in 2021-22, compared to 52% of non-unrepresented minorities."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-14/why-u-s-colleges-are-rethinking-standardized-tests-quicktake-l0qs606i

Wealthy households are taking standardized tests in greater numbers, probably with a lot of money spent on test prep. They still want the "advantage" that comes with maintaining the high stakes testing standard. However, Test Optional is changing the admissions game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Even though many colleges aren’t mandating scores, at least one group of students are still sending them: wealthier ones. In the current application cycle for current high school seniors, 52% of students in the wealthiest households submitted scores this school year, according to data from the Common Application through February. Only 39% of the poorest did so. Applications among first-generation students -- those whose parents didn’t receive bachelor’s degrees -- grew by 21% from two years prior. Only 37% of underrepresented minorities sent in scores in 2021-22, compared to 52% of non-unrepresented minorities."

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-14/why-u-s-colleges-are-rethinking-standardized-tests-quicktake-l0qs606i

Wealthy households are taking standardized tests in greater numbers, probably with a lot of money spent on test prep. They still want the "advantage" that comes with maintaining the high stakes testing standard. However, Test Optional is changing the admissions game.

Or they are taking the test because they know test optional really isn't for them. Colleges are happy for first gen and URMs to be test optional because they can do what they want with less chance of lawsuits similar to the Harvard one. For other students, it's likely viewed as a red flag to not submit scores.

[Anonymous]

Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

[Anonymous]

Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

So, what's your definition of a "low achiever" who gets into a top 20 school without submitting a test score? Obviously, they bring other sterling credentials outside of sitting for a 3 hour test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

So, what's your definition of a "low achiever" who gets into a top 20 school without submitting a test score? Obviously, they bring other sterling credentials outside of sitting for a 3 hour test.

This +100
Seriously people, calm down. Test optional or not, the kids who are getting into top schools are exceptional in so many different ways. The schools see this and take action with admittance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

Lol... Asians Unite !!

[Anonymous]

Test optional has created a monster. The reason kids have to apply to 15+ schools, because even with good grades, ECs, leadership, summer job throughout HS, and good test scores, still a crap shoot to get in because so many more kids applying.

Until there is a way to limit/rule out some students (which test scores used to do), this will continue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

Yup. Direct correlation between income and standardized test scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

Yup. Direct correlation between income and standardized test scores.

strong correlation between standardized test scores and going to well funded schools

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Years ago an admissions officer told me that like braces, a high test score mostly just tells you that the family has money.

What a stupid statement. There is free pre in Khan Academy. You don’t need money to prepare for the test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Test optional is a smokescreen to perpetuate admission discrimination and everyone knows it. Can’t wait for the Supreme Court to rule on these “holistic” policies. Low achievers love them but I hope everyone who supports test optional chooses a degree optional doctor for their next major surgery.

So, what's your definition of a "low achiever" who gets into a top 20 school without submitting a test score? Obviously, they bring other sterling credentials outside of sitting for a 3 hour test.

This +100
Seriously people, calm down. Test optional or not, the kids who are getting into top schools are exceptional in so many different ways. The schools see this and take action with admittance.

No, they bring diversity and legacy. It’s a way for colleges to make the system even more opaque and draw more applications. This system is broken.

[Anonymous]

It’s a shame that so many underprivileged students have been cheated out of a basic high school education but people who can’t get a 4 digit sat score probably shouldn’t go to college in the first place

[Anonymous]

Fuzzy science. Not even sure an 11 point percentage spread is statistically significant without seeing raw numbers. What constitutes “wealthiest” and “poorest” students? Nothing is defined.