The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) has been a major part of high school for decades, especially for students who wish to apply to college. The standardized test was designed to assess students in mathematics as well as reading and writing. The exam was created to assess students’ readiness for college, and was widely used during the admissions process to compare students with similar GPAs. However, according to studies, more than 80 percent of colleges and universities have now gone test-optional, or even test-blind, allowing students to apply without submitting their scores (forbes.com). While taking the SAT can benefit some students applying to top colleges or selective scholarship programs, its importance is decreasing due to the new shift towards test-optional, as well as growing stigma around its fairness. This is a positive move.

  The biggest reason the SAT’s importance is dwindling is that most colleges no longer require it, instead looking at GPA, coursework, essays, and extracurriculars. The shift toward test-optional and test-blind policies lets students apply to schools without worrying about how their scores compare to those of others. An article about these new policies stated, “Test-optional policies give applicants more control over how they present their strengths, letting colleges review their applications without penalizing them for their scores” (collegesofdistinction.com). This means that students do not have to focus on a standardized test to prove their abilities; they can instead spend their time raising their grades, participating in extracurricular activities, and expanding their skills.

   Additionally, many students in California hope to get into a school within the University of California (UC) system, which is fully-test blind. This shift was influenced by a lawsuit that argued SAT scores were unfair and reinforced inequalities in the admissions process. This means that UC campuses do not look at scores, even if you submit them. For students looking to get into UC schools, taking the SAT will not provide any real advantage, since “…test scores will not be considered at all in the admissions process” (admission.universityofcalifornia.edu).

  There have also been concerns raised about the SAT’s equity. According to the New York Times, “Test takers whose families were in the top 20 percent of earners were seven times as likely as those in the bottom 20 percent to score at least 1300” (nytimes.com). SAT performance is closely connected to family income, as wealthier students have access to test prep, tutoring, and other resources. Students from lower-income backgrounds may have the same academic potential, but with little resources, they often have disadvantages on the SAT and standardized testing in general. If the exam does not fairly measure a student’s ability, it raises the question of whether it’s a fair assessment of college readiness.

  Furthermore, these test-optional policies will actually encourage more low-income students to apply to college. According to the Harvard Magazine, “If a student sees a test requirement or if they see that their score falls below the average scores of students attending that school, they may wonder, is this a school that I can even have a chance at?” (gse.harvard.edu). Submitting your score can open up opportunities for scholarships, but that is only if you score in the top percentiles, a barrier that disadvantaged and first-generation students face.

   For many students, the SAT does not provide much help with applications and can add unnecessary stress. By focusing on more than just exams, colleges take a more comprehensive approach.  According to the U.S. News and World Report, Dean of Admissions Sue Corner for Willamette University, said, “I would rather see students… focusing their time on making sure their transcript is tended to [and] that they’re taking rigorous courses… rather than diverting energy towards test preparation” (usnews.com). Students can benefit more from focusing on their coursework and grades, which may show the whole picture rather than a single test that offers only one day’s worth of academic performance.

  Although the SAT can still be useful for some students, it is not as important as it once was, and that’s a good thing. With test-optional policies, colleges are prioritizing grades, personal statements, and extracurriculars over standardized tests, letting students focus on other areas.