Confusion, Changes, and the Return of Standardized Tests

Keith Berman, President of Options for College, Inc., points out many considerations are required when comparing schools and students. “The senior directors knew how to read the reference points, such as rural versus suburban, and how to assess teachers and schools. I think that without some universal yardstick about student preparation, it becomes a free-for-all.” Plus, these days, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s AI. “How are you assessing if kids are prepared? The resume is getting harder to judge. There is grade inflation, there are invented teams, everyone is a captain, plus Chat GPT essays came on the scene,” he continues.

Berman believes that both students and colleges need to understand their goals in the admissions process. “Students need to have an academic core established in middle school, which they build on throughout high school. During Covid, colleges were underprepared in knowing the DNA of what they look for in an applicant. Without an interview or test, how can you compare applicants? Colleges are going back to answering the question, ‘what are we actually looking for?’

Berman also notes a trend he calls the “un-college movement,” which attracts students looking for innovative, real-world experiences instead of taking the traditional college route. He mentions The Thiel Fellowship which gives $100,000 to young people who want to build new things instead of sitting in a classroom and Minerva University which helps students build their global networks as well as their critical thinking skills and includes high-level internships.

This trend could be a reaction to the high cost of college. “College is way more expensive than in 2005 and unjustly so. Kids are responding to that, and I’m seeing a huge shift in kids wanting to go into business,” Berman says.

He notes that another concern of college applicants is the campus’ political culture and climate. “Students are much more concerned about political discourse on campus, and this is making high school kids very anxious. Some are saying, ‘I want to go to a big state school since it offers anonymity.’” Berman thinks that’s another appeal of business. “Kids fear that if you go into something not measured in dollars and cents, there could be a debate. Students, in general, are trying to steer away from conflict,” he says.

Despite all these changes and challenges, Berman is optimistic. “It’s an exciting time to be in college. The world needs leaders, ethics, and sanity,” he concludes.

To Test or Not To Test?

That is the question colleges and universities are struggling with these days.

During the pandemic, most colleges and universities paused the requirement for applicants to submit SAT, ACT, and other standardized test scores. Now, many, including Brown, Dartmouth, and MIT, are requiring 2025 high school grads to submit standardized test scores with their applications.

For high schoolers, these test requirements can add yet another layer of anxiety, especially they hadn’t planned to take exams that their dream schools require again. It should come as some consolation that everyone else in their class is in the same boat and there are many resources available to help you prepare.

Berman says if you’ve been keeping up with your school work, you’re in good shape. “The SAT is supposed to measure what you know. The type of knowledge they are testing is universal, and if you read regularly, engage in math, and challenge yourself, there is no need to prep. It shows some measure of academic attainment.”

To make things even more confusing, the SAT has changed to a digital format and is an hour shorter than it was. The new digital test is adaptive, which means how students do on a set of test questions affects the difficulty of a subsequent set of test questions. The SAT will still be a proctored test taken in school or a test center using a laptop or tablet provided by the College Board or the school.

Here is a strategy for high school students navigating this evolving landscape.

Understand the Requirements

Research the testing requirements of your prospective colleges well in advance of application deadlines. Check back often or sign up for alerts from the schools you are considering since these rules may change. Some schools require the SAT or ACT, others offer a permanent or temporary test-optional policy, and still others are test-blind (scores won’t be considered as part of the application evaluation even if submitted). Researching and understanding these policies is crucial for a successful application strategy.

Practice

While the SAT and ACT should cover academic areas you know, it always helps to practice. Early preparation helps you identify strengths and weaknesses, tailor study plans, and reduce stress on test days. A good strategy is:

Take diagnostic tests: Taking practice tests to gauge baseline performance and to see whether the ACT or SAT is better for you.

Create study plans: Developing a personalized study schedule that accommodates schoolwork and extracurricular activities.

Access resources: Utilizing available resources such as online courses, tutoring, and study guides.

Think lifelong skills, not test skills

Standardized tests are designed to assess a range of skills, from critical reading and writing to mathematical reasoning. Beyond test-specific studying, you should focus on developing these foundational skills throughout your high school coursework. Engaging in challenging academic classes, reading widely, and practicing problem-solving can improve test performance and contribute to overall academic growth and college readiness.

Prep intentionally

When taking practice tests and developing a study plan:

Focus on areas of weakness identified through diagnostic tests.

Simulate timed test conditions to improve time management skills.

Review practice test answers to understand mistakes and learn from them. Plan to take the test multiple times

Planning to take the SAT or ACT more than once can relieve some of the pressure and provide an opportunity to improve scores. Most colleges consider a student’s highest score when reviewing applications, and some even super score, taking the highest section scores across multiple test dates.

Don’t get tunnel vision

Test prep shouldn’t come at the expense of grades, extracurricular involvement or physical and mental health. Make sure to maintain a balance and use time management wisely to get it all done with minimal stress.

Keep informed

Policies around standardized testing may change again, so stay up to date. Staying informed about these changes and being flexible in adapting strategies will be crucial for students navigating the college admissions process.

Remember, standardized tests are just one piece of the puzzle. Academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth are key to success in the college admissions process.