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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
Test-optional adds to the uncertainty and STRESS.

This is the end result. People are not as confident they will get in, and therefore second-guess themselves, agonize and apply to more schools, which creates more work and more stress for everyone.

And as a poster said above, there aren't more seats in college. It is a zero sum game. Admissions officers taking a chance on a test-optional student WILL have to reject an academically qualified high stats student for that option!

So I disagree with the dismissive posters above regarding test-optional. Test-optional is actually the reason some students are not accepted. Literally.

Now yield protection is different: you can bypass that by demonstrating interest, and customizing your essay to make sure the college knows it isn't just a last recourse. All colleges want is a little courtesy in that regard, even though looking at stats, they are well aware they won't be the first choice. But again, customizing essays, visits and interviews are adding STRESS to the process.

So all this atmosphere leads to more stress than previously. This is not healthy or acceptable. No other country does college admissions this way, and the USA should not either!!!

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I hear you, [b]but students who are excellent students but don't test [/b]well are burdened with far more stress if tests aren't optional.  Why can't they be allowed to put their best foot forward with awards, achievements, APs and other indices? As someone who teaches SAT test prep, I am bothered that people place too much emphasis on SAT in relation to merit.

We need to expand our definitions of top schools rather than hoard spaces for kids who are able to perform well on SAT.[/quote]

No such thing. That’s called grade inflation. [/quote]

BS---test anxiety is a real thing.  Given that rarely (or rather never for most people) have I been required to take a test in the real world, never required to do a project without ability to look things up or work with anyone else if I have questions, why is how someone can do on an individual test so important to you?  [/quote]

Always wondered how 'test anxiety' crops up for the SATs but never for the multiple mid-terms, final exams and APs..  Someone care to explain this?[/quote]

It often does as well, hence why kids with anxiety/adhd can get accommodations for testing in schools.  But it's more easily managed when you can study for one specific test on specific data such as your calculus midterm or an AP test.  How many tests do you take weekly at your job?  Have you ever taken one at a job?  Not me.  ON the job I work with my team to get the project done.  If I need to I research, consult others and ask questions.  Critical thinking is needed to problem solve.  But I dont' do it in a vacuum where I cannot talk to anyone else.  Taking a test is NOT the real world we live in.

I want people on my team who can work with others and get the problems solved/work done.  I don't care if they can take a test and get 98%.  I want someone who can find the answers themselves if they don't remember, don't know, etc.  [/quote]

Tests are meant to identify people that are capable of doing all the things that you want in people in the workplace!  How is that not obvious?

Extending your logic, why have any tests at all?  Let's cancel all tests starting with elementary school.  No grades (since there are no tests).  Let us use a lottery system to admit kids to college... [/quote]

Once again, Harvard is not admitting 50% of their class with 1200 and 3.2UW.  90% of class has UW GPA over 3.75 and very rigorous course load and 1460+ SAT.  The differences between 1460 and 1580 is very small---both really smart but some, including Harvard might argue the 1460 is smarter or a better fit for their school.  They simply are NOT admitting kids who will not succeed.  Their definition of "smart" it just a bit broader then yours of SAT is king of all intelligence tests.

My "average kid" (think 1300/3.5UW, no APs in HS) kid graduated from a great college (attended with merit, ), works for a company that does give 2 or 3 rigorous "tests" as a gateway to getting an interview. This kid has test anxiety and struggled even with in school testing---that happens when you lack exec functioning, you study and learn it, but when anxiety kicks in during the test you cannot retrieve the info (lack of ex functioning).  Supposedly only 10-15% of people make it past the testing at this company to even get an interview.  My kid did---these tests are "personality testing" and critical thinking tests.  Working there for 2+ years and has gotten the highest raise possible each year (they rank the cohorts and give raises accordingly).  I'd call that highly successful.  Because my kid has the people skills and critical thinking and drive to do well on the job.  Anywhere they've worked the managers love them.

My kid is succeeding in life and their job.  May not have gotten straight As in school due to their learning issues/exec functioning issues.  But they get the work done and obviously managers love them and their output.  Because they can critically think and problem solve.  They are "smarter" than their testing and gpa indicate.  They just learn differently.  But in the real world, my kid doesn't have to have everything memorized.  They can look something up to make sure they have it right--and just knowing that takes away anxiety and makes life easier.  They can ask their Team lead and other co-workers if they have questions.  They learn from the team and contribute to helping others on the team.  Goal is to get the project working with help from everyone.  
So while my kid was not T25 material, I can see kid with similar issues who has a 3.8 UW, takes some APs, highly motivated and only gets 1450 would be equally smart as many at T25 schools.  Put them in the right environment and they will shine.  I'd argue they are as smart as your kid.  Apparently T25 schools think so as well. 
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