NEWS: UC schools are dropping SAT requirement for class of 2021

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some selective liberal arts colleges have been test optional for a few years. How has it worked? Does anybody who knows care to share?

I haven't seen data quoted, but it's hard to imagine that a test-optional highly selective LAC's process is scalable to the level of the UC system. Inherently more subjectivity involved.

I don't understand the scalability point. Why not? There are probably a dozen SLACs and midsize universities that have gone test optional. Meanwhile, some big state universities like Michigan have not gone test optional but have taken an increasingly holistic approach to evaluating applications.

Schools like Middlebury have fewer applicants so they can can take more care to decide if the applicant is a good fit. UCLA is the most applied to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And what will happen, practically speaking, is that good testers will take the tests and submit scores anyway.

They are phasing out SAT/ACT over five years: first two-years are test-optional, then in-state applicants won’t submit them. During this transitional period, they are going to try to develop a California-wide admissions test for in-state students. SAT/ACT will remain optional for out-of-state applicants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vassar and Pomona are also going test-optional next year, as are Tufts, BU and Davidson. Seems like the SAT’s days may be numbered.

You might be correct, but none of these are ivy league schools.

University of Chicago went test-optional two years ago. Not Ivy League but just as selective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what will happen, practically speaking, is that good testers will take the tests and submit scores anyway.

They are phasing out SAT/ACT over five years: first two-years are test-optional, then in-state applicants won’t submit them. During this transitional period, they are going to try to develop a California-wide admissions test for in-state students. SAT/ACT will remain optional for out-of-state applicants.

The undertone I got was that when push comes to shove, there won't be a new test in five years. I doubt they can come up with one more "equitable" as the current options and at 36-0, the regents aren't inclined to be on the side of standardized testing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vassar and Pomona are also going test-optional next year, as are Tufts, BU and Davidson. Seems like the SAT’s days may be numbered.

You might be correct, but none of these are ivy league schools.

University of Chicago went test-optional two years ago. Not Ivy League but just as selective.

Cornell is the only Ivy League that has announced test optional for 2020-2021.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure the College Board is sweating bullets at this decision. And, in addition, they’re facing a $500 million class action lawsuit for botching the AP exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what will happen, practically speaking, is that good testers will take the tests and submit scores anyway.

They are phasing out SAT/ACT over five years: first two-years are test-optional, then in-state applicants won’t submit them. During this transitional period, they are going to try to develop a California-wide admissions test for in-state students. SAT/ACT will remain optional for out-of-state applicants.

The undertone I got was that when push comes to shove, there won't be a new test in five years. I doubt they can come up with one more "equitable" as the current options and at 36-0, the regents aren't inclined to be on the side of standardized testing.

The Asians will find a way to ace whatever bs admissions test they make.

[Anonymous]

The schools say they're test optional, but that is mainly used to get in their athletes, donors/famous families, URM and 1 st gen students. If you don't fall into those categories, the schools need your high test scores to pull up the overall average test score on sites like USNWR etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And what will happen, practically speaking, is that good testers will take the tests and submit scores anyway.

They are phasing out SAT/ACT over five years: first two-years are test-optional, then in-state applicants won’t submit them. During this transitional period, they are going to try to develop a California-wide admissions test for in-state students. SAT/ACT will remain optional for out-of-state applicants.

The undertone I got was that when push comes to shove, there won't be a new test in five years. I doubt they can come up with one more "equitable" as the current options and at 36-0, the regents aren't inclined to be on the side of standardized testing.

The Asians will find a way to ace whatever bs admissions test they make.

Thanks for saying this, PP. My DS is extremely gifted but never does as well as the Asians in his class. This explains it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The schools say they're test optional, but that is mainly used to get in their athletes, donors/famous families, URM and 1 st gen students. If you don't fall into those categories, the schools need your high test scores to pull up the overall average test score on sites like USNWR etc.

+1

[Anonymous]

At its core, whatever schools decide to do, the test isn't the problem. It is, albeit imperfectly, measuring the vast gaps in college preparation among different socioeconomic groups.

Yes, UMC kids can pad scores thru expensive test prep, no doubt. But they aren't padding a 900 to a 1300. Or a 1250 to a 1600. Just like parents got them into good schools, and made sure they worked for good grades,these are all pieces that get you ready for college. Test prep is just the final piece.

And college admissions offices aren't dumb; they already take these issue into consideration when picking their classes.

At the same time, relying on scores seems like a pretty efficient (or lazy) way to make initial cuts. Without them, college admissions staffs will need to work a lot harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The schools say they're test optional, but that is mainly used to get in their athletes, donors/famous families, URM and 1 st gen students. If you don't fall into those categories, the schools need your high test scores to pull up the overall average test score on sites like USNWR etc.

The ranking state over 75% of students must submit scores otherwise the scores do not count. This will be hard to do when a whole system decides they are not only optional but test blind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-21/uc-drops-sat-and-act-test-requirement-for-admission

They’re officially phasing it out now, not just for next year. Majors are going to be way more important to employers in my opinion.

When the UC's eliminated race in admissions the graduation rate increased. After they go test blind, the rate will decrease again and their ranking will drop. Not worried about this at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vassar and Pomona are also going test-optional next year, as are Tufts, BU and Davidson. Seems like the SAT’s days may be numbered.

You might be correct, but none of these are ivy league schools.

University of Chicago went test-optional two years ago. Not Ivy League but just as selective.

Ok, but how many unhooked kids who don’t submit scores get in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vassar and Pomona are also going test-optional next year, as are Tufts, BU and Davidson. Seems like the SAT’s days may be numbered.

You might be correct, but none of these are ivy league schools.

University of Chicago went test-optional two years ago. Not Ivy League but just as selective.

Ok, but how many unhooked kids who don’t submit scores get in?

I'd imagine high scorers do submit their results and have an advantage over those who don't. Test optional is disingenuous - ot doesn't mean "we don't consider your SAT scores."