BRITTANY MASCHAL CONSULTING

Updated SAT Subject Test Policies

By Brittany MaschalMar 14, 2017

From Compass, updated SAT Subject test (SAT II) requirements and recommendations for the Class of 2018. Not many changes here, but worth reviewing now as it is time to sign up for May and June exams, and think ahead as you create your testing plan. Thanks, Compass!

College	Summary	Subject Test Policy
California Institute of Technology	Required	Caltech requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND the following Subject Tests: Math Level 2, and one SAT Subject Test in Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics.
Carnegie Mellon University	Required	Carnegie Mellon requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (for most applicants). Subject requirements vary by program, but include Math (Level 1 or Level 2). College of Fine Arts programs, with the exception of Architecture, do not require Subject Tests.
Cornell University	Required	Cornell requires the SAT or ACT. Some Cornell colleges require 2 Subject Test(s).
Harvard University	Required	Harvard requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Two SAT Subject Tests are “normally” required. “While we normally require two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of taking the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them…If your first language is not English, a Subject Test in your first language may be less helpful.”
Harvey Mudd College	Required	Harvey Mudd requires the SAT or ACT AND 2 SAT Subject Tests (Math Level 2 and one other).
King’s College of London	Required	King’s College requires U.S. applicants to submit scores from 3 SAT Subject Tests or 3 AP exams.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Required	MIT requires the SAT or ACT AND one SAT Subject Test in math and one in science. “We do not have a preference as to which science you take or which level math you take.”
McGill University	Required (or ACT)	McGill requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Subject recommendations vary by department.
Rice University	Required (or ACT)	Rice requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. It is recommended that Subject Tests be taken in subjects related to proposed area of study.
Tufts University	Required (or ACT)	Tufts requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Engineering applicants submitting Subject Tests are advised to take math and either physics or chemistry. Students considering a major in mathematics or the sciences are advised to take math and a science test.
University of Toronto	Required	Toronto requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing from U.S. applicants. Most programs also require U.S. students to submit Subject Test, AP, or IB scores in specific areas.
Webb Institute	Required	Webb requires the SAT or ACT with Writing AND SAT Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or Level 2) and either Chemistry or Physics.
Wellesley College	Required (or ACT)	Wellesley requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT with Writing. At least one quantitative Subject Test strongly recommended to students pursuing math or sciences.
Brown University	Recommended	Brown requires the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing. They recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests of the student’s choice.
Carleton College	Recommended	Carleton requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and recommends SAT Subject Tests, because the scores “usually enhance a candidate’s credentials.”
Dartmouth College	Recommended	Dartmouth requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests.
Davidson College	Recommended	Davidson requires the SAT or ACT. Two Subject Tests (Math and one other) are recommended for students submitting SAT scores.
Duke University	Recommended Strongly (or ACT)	Duke requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends 2 SAT Subject Tests if applicants submit SAT. Subject Tests are considered if applicants submit ACT. “Applicants to the Pratt School of Engineering who take the SAT must take one SAT Subject Test in Mathematics (level 1 or level 2).”
Emory University	Recommended	Emory requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. “[SAT Subject Tests] are encouraged, but not required. Students are encouraged to submit SAT subject exam scores for academic areas of strength and/or interest.”
Georgetown University	Recommended Strongly	Georgetown requires the SAT or ACT and does not consider the essay from either test. Georgetown strongly recommends 3 Subject Tests. Applicants are required to submit all College Board and ACT scores.
Lafayette College	Recommended	Lafayette requires the SAT or ACT and recommends applicants submit SAT Subject Tests.
Northwestern University	Recommended	Northwestern requires the SAT or ACT. Northwestern recommends applicants take 2 SAT Subject Tests. The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) require specific Subject Tests.
Pratt Institute	Recommended	Pratt requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. Bachelor of Architecture applicants are encouraged to take Math Level 1 or Level 2.
Princeton University	Recommended	Princeton requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. Princeton recommends that applicants submit 2 Subject Tests. Engineering candidates are advised to take a math Subject Test and either chemistry or physics.
Stanford University	Recommended	Stanford requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. ALL test scores from ALL dates must be submitted for the SAT and ACT. “SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage. Because SAT Subject Tests are optional, applicants may use Score Choice to selectively send their SAT Subject Test scores.”
University of California, Berkeley	Recommended	UC Berkeley requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Chemistry and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and a science related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Irvine	Recommended	UC Irvine requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, and Program in Public Health all have specific Subject Test recommendations.
University of California, Los Angeles	Recommended	UCLA requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recommends Math Level 2 and a science test related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Riverside	Recommended	UC Riverside requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics.
University of California, San Diego	Recommended	UC San Diego requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Biological or physical science applicants and applicants to the School of Engineering should take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test related to the applicant’s intended major.
University of California, Santa Barbara	Recommended	UC Santa Barbara requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Math Level 2 is recommended for College of Engineering applicants and College of Creative Studies applicants in math, physics, or computer science. In addition, physics, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors are encouraged to take the appropriate science Subject Test.
University of Delaware	Recommended	Delaware requires the SAT or ACT and recommends (STRONGLY, for the Honors Program) that applicants take SAT Subject Tests.
University of Georgia	Recommended	Georgia requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that applicants submit SAT Subject Test scores.
University of Pennsylvania	Recommended	Penn requires the SAT or ACT. Any 2 Subject Tests are recommended for arts, humanities, and social sciences applicants. STEM applicants are strongly encouraged to take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test (Physics recommended for engineering applicants). Math Level 2 is recommended for business applicants. Nursing applicants are encouraged to submit a science Subject Test (preferably, Chemistry).
Yale University	Recommended	Yale requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and recommends that applicants take SAT Subject Tests.
Amherst College	Considered	Amherst requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Optional essays are recommended.
Babson College	Considered	Babson requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Babson considers SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Barnard College	Considered	Barnard requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017).
Bates College	Considered	Bates is test optional. Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
Boston College	Considered	Boston College requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests may “highlight a talent in a specific area.”
Boston University	Considered	Boston University requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. Accelerated medical and dental programs require Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math 2. A Subject Test in a foreign language is also recommended for these programs.
Bowdoin College	Considered	Bowdoin is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Bucknell University	Considered	Bucknell requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered as “supplemental information.”
Case Western Reserve University	Considered	Case Western requires the SAT or ACT and considers optional essays and Subject Tests if submitted.
Claremont McKenna	Considered	Claremont requires the SAT or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted.
College of William & Mary	Considered	William & Mary requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests are optional.
Columbia University	Considered	Columbia requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. (This is a new policy for the class of 2017).
Connecticut College	Considered	Connecticut College is test optional. Students may choose to submit the SAT Reasoning Test, 2 Subject Tests, or the ACT if they wish. “If you submit multiple SAT Subject Tests, we will consider your two highest scores from two different tests.”
The Cooper Union	Considered	Cooper Union requires the SAT or ACT with Writing. School of Engineering requires SAT Subject tests in Math and either Physics or Chemistry.
Franklin Olin College of Engineering	Considered	Olin requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted.
George Washington University	Considered	George Washington is test optional. SAT or ACT scores and two SAT Subject Tests are required in science and mathematics for the Seven Year BA/MD program.
Ithaca College	Considered	Ithaca is test optional. Students may submit SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests as “supplemental information.”
Johns Hopkins University	Considered	Johns Hopkins requires the SAT or ACT. Students may submit Subject Tests as a “way to demonstrate an academic strength . . . Engineering applicants are encouraged to submit Math Level 2 and one science.”
Kenyon College	Considered	Kenyon requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests and SAT or ACT essays will be considered as additional information.
Macalester College	Considered	Macalester requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Oberlin College	Considered	Oberlin requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Occidental College	Considered	Occidental requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Pomona College	Considered	Pomona requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are recommended. SAT Subject Tests are considered as part of a complete testing profile.
Reed College	Considered	Reed requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Considered	RPI requires the SAT (Essay optional) or ACT with Writing. Applicants to the accelerated program must take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay and 2 SAT Subject Tests (1 math and 1 science).
Scripps College	Considered	Scripps requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Smith College	Considered	Smith is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Stevens Institute of Technology	Considered	Stevens requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or 2) and either Chemistry or Biology are required for the Accelerated Medical Program.
Swarthmore College	Considered	Swarthmore requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays will not be considered. Subject Tests scores will be considered if submitted. Prospective engineers are encouraged to take Math Level 2.
Union College	Considered	Union is test optional except for the Law and Public Policy Program and the Leadership in Medicine Program. The 6-year law program requires the SAT or ACT. The 8-year medical program requires either the ACT with Writing or the SAT and 2 Subject Tests.
University of California, Davis	Considered	UC Davis requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of California, Merced	Considered	UC Merced requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of California, Santa Cruz	Considered	UC Santa Cruz requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.
University of Chicago	Considered	University of Chicago requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. “If you have done exceptionally well on a particular subject test and would like to show us, feel free to send us that score.”
University of Miami	Considered	Miami requires the SAT or ACT. Optional essays are required but used for placement only. Honors Program in Medicine and Honors Program in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology require minimum scores of 600 on a math Subject Test and on a science Subject Test.
University of Michigan	Considered	Michigan requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and will consider SAT Subject Tests “only in light of how they might benefit your review.”
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill	Considered	UNC-Chapel Hill requires the SAT or ACT. “You may submit supplemental scores from AP, IB, or SAT Subject tests if you think they are a good reflection of your mastery of the material.”
University of Notre Dame	Considered	Notre Dame requires the SAT or ACT. “SAT Subject Tests, AP, and IB tests are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application.”
University of Southern California	Considered	USC requires the SAT or ACT and considers SAT Subject Tests “optional.”
University of Virginia	Considered	Virginia requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.
Vanderbilt University	Considered	Vanderbilt requires the SAT or ACT and will consider Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering applicants choosing to submit scores should strongly consider taking either Math Level 1 or Level 2.
Vassar College	Considered	Vassar requires SAT or ACT. For the class of 2017 and beyond, Vassar no longer requires SAT Subject Tests but will consider them if submitted.
Wake Forest University	Considered	Wake Forest is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Washington University in St. Louis	Considered	Washington University in St. Louis requires the SAT or ACT and will only “consider [SAT Subject Tests] if they strengthen your application.”
Wesleyan University	Considered	Wesleyan is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. All entering first-year students must submit ACT or SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores after the conclusion of the admission process for academic counseling and placement.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	Considered	WPI is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
Colby College	Alternative	Colby’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests.
Colorado College	Alternative	Colorado College’s requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three exams of the student’s choice, including one verbal/writing and one quantitative, selected from the lists provided by Colorado College’s website.
Hamilton College	Alternative	Hamilton’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (Essay optional) (2) ACT (Writing optional) (3) Quantitative, verbal, and writing tests from among SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, and APs.
Middlebury College	Alternative	Middlebury’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) Three Subject Tests.
New York University	Alternative	NYU’s testing requirements are satisfied by fulfilling one of the following: (A) SAT (B) ACT with Writing (C) 3 Subject Tests (D) 3 AP exams (E) The International Baccalaureate Diploma (F) 3 IB higher-level exams (if a student is not an IB Diploma candidate). Students who choose to submit three SAT Subject Test, AP, or IB scores must submit one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one of the student’s choice. Some programs have additional requirements.
University of Rochester	Alternative	Rochester’s testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) 2 or more results from SAT Subject Tests, AP exams, or IB exams.

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International SAT Date Changes

By Brittany MaschalFeb 24, 2017

The SAT is offered internationally several times a year. Unfortunately, the following changes to the international testing schedule were recently announced:

In June 2017, only the SAT Subject Tests will be administered internationally. The SAT will not be administered in June.
In the 2017–18 and 2018–19 school years, the SAT will be available internationally in October, December, March, and May. SAT Subject Tests will be available in October, November, December, May, and June.
Country-specific scheduling changes will be announced in spring 2017.

Learn more about international test dates and registration here.

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Planning Your Testing Calendar in 2017

By Brittany MaschalJan 20, 2017

Great post by the team at Applerouth! All juniors (and sophomores who want to get ahead) should give it a read!

It’s the start of a new year, and with the new year, new questions that need answering, especially those related to finances. If you are a junior who will meet with your college counselor in the next few weeks to begin the college admissions journey, you will want the SAT or ACT tests to be on your radar this spring. If you have already taken an SAT or ACT at least once and are wondering if you should try again, or if you have yet to sit the official test, helpful information awaits.

In 2017, the SAT will be offered this semester on January 21st, March 11th, May 6th, and June 3rd. This is the last year for the January SAT date and the first year for an August SAT administered this summer on August 26th. The ACT will be offered on February 11th, April 8th, and June 10th.

In determining which test(s) you should take, there are a few considerations to make in order to ensure that you position yourself to get your highest score. Most importantly, you will want to prepare adequately. Take a practice test at the College Board or ACT website, evaluate the scores you receive, and begin preparing for the content, strategies, and timing pressures that you will encounter on the test. Ideally, you will devote at least a month of daily practice, with a few timed practice tests, to give your first test a solid performance.

Not only is preparation essential, but you will also need to consider your own schedule. Do you have an important robotics competition that would prevent you from taking the February ACT? What are your spring break plans? Is finals week sufficiently stressful to preclude you from taking the June SAT? Look at your academic and extracurricular calendars, and discuss a potential date with your family to see if there are any conflicts.

Finally, if you are planning on taking the SAT, you might be considering taking an SAT Subject Test or two to submit to colleges. Those tests take place on the same day as the SAT and, while you may take up to three SAT Subject Tests on any one test day, you cannot take both the SAT and a Subject Test. Typically, students will take SAT Subject Tests around May or June in order to coincide with AP Exams, since both tests are content-heavy. If you were planning on taking the SAT as well, you will want to consider how to organize your calendar to accommodate both tests.

Maybe you took the SAT or ACT this past year and are wondering if or when you should take the test again. Taking the SAT or ACT test is an investment of time and energy, not to mention money. Is it worth spending another Saturday morning in a high school classroom, working on math problems and reading passages? In most cases, an extra test is worth the extra effort when accompanied by a few necessary steps.

In order for a student to do her best on any number of SAT or ACT tests, preparation is paramount, no matter how many times you have taken the test previously. A student may take the test a dozen times, but you will likely get the same score if you have not devoted considerable time to understanding the test format, building mastery with the content, and practicing the testing strategies.

Often, when you take the test the first time, you might feel considerable anxiety. Once you make it out of the testing center and realize that an SAT or ACT test is totally doable, you might perform better on the second test, simply because much of the burden of anxiety has lifted. You know what the proctor will say; you know how to pace yourself for each section; you can manage the various demands placed on you. Sometimes, it may take an additional test for a student to overcome the effects of those stressors.

Of course, it might be that you don’t need to take the test an additional time. You adequately prepared, felt that you performed your best on each of the test dates, and have the scores that put you in a competitive position with your colleges. In that case, you can focus your attention on other aspects of your application – boosting your GPA, contributing more to extracurriculars, arranging those teacher recommendations – or taking a well-deserved break.

Each student’s history of test preparation and test performance will differ; however, there are abundant opportunities this spring either to prepare for and take the test for the first time, or to shoot for one final test to achieve your highest result.

Read the full article here!

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College Board Simplifies Request Process For Test Accommodations

By Brittany MaschalDec 02, 2016

College Board Announces New SAT^®Testing Supports for English Language Learners

NEW YORK—The College Board has overhauled its request process for testing accommodations, making it easier for eligible students to receive the support they need on College Board assessments.

Beginning January 1, 2017, the vast majority of students who are approved for and using testing accommodations at their school through a current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan will have those same accommodations automatically approved for taking the SAT^®, PSAT^™10, PSAT/NMSQT^®, SAT Subject Tests^™, and AP^® Exams. Most private school students with a current, formal school-based plan that meets College Board criteria will also have their current accommodations automatically approved for College Board exams. This streamlined process builds on the College Board’s August 2016 expansion of testing accommodations that can be approved directly by schools without the need for additional documentation.

Read full release here: https://www.collegeboard.org/releases/2016/college-board-simplifies-request-process-for-test-ccommodations?ep_ch=PR&ep_mid=11326140&ep_rid=163330058

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In Transitional Year, SAT Scores Drop on Old Test

By Brittany MaschalSep 27, 2016

The College Board today announces average scores on the SAT for last year’s high school graduating class — and such announcements are typically a time of debate over the state of education, the value of standardized testing, educational inequities and more. This year’s results are somewhat difficult to analyze, because some students took the old version of the SAT and others the new. The College Board reported declines in the average scores from the class, but those averages are for those who took the old SAT. The ACT also reported declines this year, noting that more students are taking the test. Both the College Board and the ACT are pursuing more contracts with states to require high school seniors to take one test or the other, and that means more test takers may not in fact be prepared for or preparing for college.

In comparing the old SAT’s scores for the class of 2016, compared to 2015:

The average for critical reading was 494, down from 497.
The average for math was 508, down from 512.
The average for writing was 482, down from 487.

Full results are available here, but readers are cautioned by the many caveats about comparisons because of the transitional year.

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2016 Survey of Admissions Directors – Insights

By Brittany MaschalSep 23, 2016

A few important, key insights from the 2016 Inside Higher Ed Survey of College and University Admissions Directors. Read all of the notes on key themes in the full article by Scott Jaschik on Inside Higher Ed here.

A New Application

A year ago, the big buzz at the NACAC annual meeting was the announcement of the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success, a group of elite public and private colleges that aimed to make the application process more personal, more open to the needs of individual students and colleges and more educational. At the NACAC meeting, coalition members heard plenty of skepticism and vowed to explain in the months ahead just what their effort entailed and why it would help colleges and students.

To judge from the Inside Higher Ed survey, the coalition still has a lot of work to do. Among the findings:

Only 29 percent of admissions directors agree or strongly agree that the Common Application needs to have more competition, compared to 49 percent who disagree or strongly disagree. This finding suggests that the Common Application has repaired much of the damage from its technology meltdown two years ago that left many colleges frustrated to be stuck without what they considered viable alternatives to the Common App.
Only 23 percent of admissions directors agree or strongly agree that the “digital locker” — an online tool the coalition is creating to let high school students save materials throughout their high school careers — is a good way to prepare for college and the admissions process. Thirty-eight percent disagree or strongly disagree.
Only 8 percent of admissions directors agree or strongly agree that the coalition has done a good job of explaining its process to colleges and their applicants — compared to 68 percent who disagree or strongly disagree.
And only 15 percent of admissions directors agree or strongly agree that the coalition application would encourage more applications from minority and disadvantaged applicants (a rationale offered by many coalition supporters). Fifty-seven percent disagree or strongly disagree.

Annie Reznik, executive director of the coalition, said she wasn’t surprised by some of the negative reactions, even if she thought they might not reflect the work the group has been doing. “Any new initiative brings hesitancy and skepticism,” she said via email.

And much of the initial public discussion, she said, didn’t focus on efforts by member colleges to increase outreach to disadvantaged students. Numerous efforts have been started in recent months by the group and by its member colleges to increase college awareness in low-income areas and to talk to more students about the importance of college. In time, she said, people will see that the coalition is about these efforts, not just the application.

Much has been misunderstood about the locker, she said, but that is proceeding with positive results. “Many individuals external to the coalition have identified additional, excellent uses for this student space,” she said. “Some ideas include: supporting a portfolio grading system using the locker, encouraging students to save pieces from an English class’s personal writing unit in their lockers, collecting letters of recommendation from service work that could be shared with a teacher or counselor, scanning a copy of a student’s hard-earned compliment card for providing great service at work.”

The New SAT

Since Inside Higher Ed‘s 2015 admissions survey, the College Board has started using a new SAT, designed to align itself more closely than the previous version with a college-preparatory high school curriculum. A key feature of the new SAT was to revamp the widely criticized writing test.

The response of admissions directors to these changes appears underwhelming. And the new writing test is not attracting broad support. Nor is ACT’s writing test.

Admissions Directors on the SAT and ACT Writing Tests

Statement	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The new SAT version represents a significant improvement over the old version.	2%	12%	65%	13%	9%
I expect more colleges to go test optional in the years ahead.	26%	47%	22%	4%	2%
I consider the writing test on the SAT to be a good measure of student writing ability.	0%	19%	44%	21%	16%
I consider the writing test on the ACT to be a good measure of student writing ability.	2%	18%	44%	22%	15%

The expectation that more colleges will go test optional may be of concern to both the College Board and the ACT, although it is important to note that most applicants to most test-optional colleges continue to submit scores.

But the test-optional numbers are growing. Just this week, the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, a critic of standardized testing, released data showing that half of the colleges on U.S. News & World Report‘s list of the top 100 liberal arts colleges are test optional.

Also this week, ACT released a report questioning the rationale behind colleges going test optional. The report says that these policies are based on false assumptions and that test scores add to the information admissions officers need.

Race and Admissions

The Supreme Court ruled in June that colleges have the right to consider race and ethnicity in admissions (and presumably also in financial aid) in certain circumstances. The ruling came in a challenge to the policies of the University of Texas at Austin in litigation that had been going on for years. The Supreme Court ruling cited the research Texas did over the years to show why it needed to consider race in admissions — and the decision said that colleges need to have conducted such studies to consider race.

The survey results suggest that relatively few colleges have done or plan to do such studies. This may be because many colleges do not consider race in admissions (and aren’t competitive in admissions). But this could make some colleges vulnerable to lawsuits.

Nearly three-fourths (73 percent) of admissions directors said they believed the Supreme Court ruling would preserve the legal right to consider race and ethnicity for the foreseeable future.

But only 13 percent of colleges said they conducted studies similar to those the Supreme Court cited as making the Texas approach legal. And only 24 percent said they planned to either start or continue such studies.

Only 4 percent said they planned to change admissions practices in light of the court’s ruling.

Critics of affirmative action, during the months before the Supreme Court ruled, repeatedly argued that colleges’ current practices have the impact of making it more difficult for Asian-American applicants to win admission.

This year’s survey asked the admissions directors two questions related to that argument. A significant minority indicated that they believe Asian-American applicants are held to a higher standard generally, and that this is the case at their institutions.

Admissions Directors on Asian-American Applicants

Statement	Public % Yes	Private % Yes
Do you believe that some colleges are holding Asian-American applicants to higher standards?	39%	42%
At your college, do Asian-American applicants who are admitted generally have higher grades and test scores than other applicants?	41%	30%

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Regarding the “New” SAT

By Brittany MaschalFeb 18, 2016

Thank you, Bob Schaeffer, for pointing out what may not be obvious to the masses: The “new” SAT, and let’s not forget the ACT, will remain a weak predictor of undergraduate success. High school grades will continue to provide more accurate forecasts of college graduation.

Read his letter in The Opinion Pages here.

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