UNC test required 2023 and beyond

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree completely I think more schools will follow

Doubtful. I see this for FL, GA, NC, TX, TN type schools. No one else.

I agree that this will be regional and more prevalent at schools that don’t rely on big numbers of students from California.

[Anonymous]

I think schools are going to look over the next few years at how successful their classes are (i.e. whether GPAs start falling, kids dropping out) without evaluation of standardized tests.

I personally do not see how you fairly compare students without standardized tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think? Will this have a big impact on admissions?

Harvard (Test Optional through 2026) > UNC

The Harvards and UC schools will be the bellweathers, no - no it won't.

Is that college class of 2026, or admission for fall of 2026?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continued impact on access to testing for high school students, Harvard College will allow students to apply for admission without requiring SAT or ACT scores for the upcoming Harvard College Classes of ‘27, ‘28, ‘29, and ’30.

What a cop out. The H '30 class is not even in HS. COVID has had no effect on their standardized testing. If Harvard doesn't want to use testing, just say that instead of blaming made up factors like the COVID situation of 2025 (the year when the HS class of 2026 will be taking the SAT).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for them. Admire that they are not caving to this ridiculous trend.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools are going to realize that having objective measures, like SATs, benefits them.

In the absence of objective SATs, and the rampant grade inflation, schools are left with "admissions rates" to demonstrate their competitiveness. But, thanks to test optional, kids who never would have applied in the past, apply now. This means a ton of applicants and a plummeting admissions rate (that, naturally becomes a meaningless measure). See the 25% acceptance rate at Auburn.

Without being able to point to the real stats like SATs, the schools dilute their prestige. That's the only thing that will motivate them to get back to "normal."

Nothing you said is accurate.

[Anonymous]

Schools like the ivy league can go test optional because the pick from the cream of the crop. Schools ranked 20-100 are not so lucky. I have taught in multiple top 50 schools and there are some REALLY bad/stupid students even WITH standardized tests as a screen. Just going by grades and other soft information is not a strict enough filter. Last year we got students who could barely add a column of numbers mixed in with people who were gifted. You can't teach to that kind of audience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Schools like the ivy league can go test optional because the pick from the cream of the crop. Schools ranked 20-100 are not so lucky. I have taught in multiple top 50 schools and there are some REALLY bad/stupid students even WITH standardized tests as a screen. Just going by grades and other soft information is not a strict enough filter.

Last year we got students who could barely add a column of numbers mixed in with people who were gifted. You can't teach to that kind of audience

Not surprising, but yikes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Schools are going to realize that having objective measures, like SATs, benefits them.

In the absence of objective SATs, and the rampant grade inflation, schools are left with "admissions rates" to demonstrate their competitiveness. But, thanks to test optional, kids who never would have applied in the past, apply now. This means a ton of applicants and a plummeting admissions rate (that, naturally becomes a meaningless measure). See the 25% acceptance rate at Auburn.

Without being able to point to the real stats like SATs, the schools dilute their prestige. That's the only thing that will motivate them to get back to "normal."

Nothing you said is accurate.

DP. I think the first PP said is accurate. To the second PP, please give your reasoning. I am sure that's because your child benefited from test optional.

[Anonymous]

Kids can take the tests as many times as they have the time & money to, and almost all of them are submitting super scores (best score in each section from multiple tests). So schools know the test isn't the best indicator of success. Therefore, schools will remain TO and reported scores will skew higher as students will only submit top scores (even super scores).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think? Will this have a big impact on admissions?

Harvard (Test Optional through 2026) > UNC

The Harvards and UC schools will be the bellweathers, no - no it won't.

Is that college class of 2026, or admission for fall of 2026?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continued impact on access to testing for high school students, Harvard College will allow students to apply for admission without requiring SAT or ACT scores for the upcoming Harvard College Classes of ‘27, ‘28, ‘29, and ’30.

What a cop out. The H '30 class is not even in HS. COVID has had no effect on their standardized testing. If Harvard doesn't want to use testing, just say that instead of blaming made up factors like the COVID situation of 2025 (the year when the HS class of 2026 will be taking the SAT).

+1000. Just their way to admit who the hell they want to admit without having to deal with lawsuits

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do you think? Will this have a big impact on admissions?

Harvard (Test Optional through 2026) > UNC

The Harvards and UC schools will be the bellweathers, no - no it won't.

Is that college class of 2026, or admission for fall of 2026?

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its continued impact on access to testing for high school students, Harvard College will allow students to apply for admission without requiring SAT or ACT scores for the upcoming Harvard College Classes of ‘27, ‘28, ‘29, and ’30.

What a cop out. The H '30 class is not even in HS. COVID has had no effect on their standardized testing. If Harvard doesn't want to use testing, just say that instead of blaming made up factors like the COVID situation of 2025 (the year when the HS class of 2026 will be taking the SAT).

Yup, and I went to Harvard. I'm glad UNC is taking this step and hope other universities and colleges follow suit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids can take the tests as many times as they have the time & money to, and almost all of them are submitting super scores (best score in each section from multiple tests). So schools know the test isn't the best indicator of success. Therefore, schools will remain TO and reported scores will skew higher as students will only submit top scores (even super scores).

Maybe they should stop allowing super scores then. Or put a cap on how many times one can take the SAT/ACT.

[Anonymous]

I don't disagree because the drill and kill approach to these tests doesn't demonstrate intelligence or ability. But until that changes, the tests will remain a joke and families that can, will continue to game the system. Schools know this so test results will continue to drop in value.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kids can take the tests as many times as they have the time & money to, and almost all of them are submitting super scores (best score in each section from multiple tests). So schools know the test isn't the best indicator of success. Therefore, schools will remain TO and reported scores will skew higher as students will only submit top scores (even super scores).

Maybe they should stop allowing super scores then. Or put a cap on how many times one can take the SAT/ACT.

They should all require tests but all kids must report all scores. Then colleges can consider score(s) or disregard if applicant is strong in other ways. And all extended time tests must be reported as such.

[Anonymous]

What's the point of that approach as kids who can will still spend significant time and money on test prep (look at TJ) to gain an advantage? TO bypasses any AA issues or court nonsense, keeps the number of applications high at T30 schools and allows AOs to pick their best class. Students get more flexibility and time to focus on school/sports/band etc and pursue their genuine interests without wasting time on a meaningless test. It's a win/win.