ABSTRACT
With college admissions tests—and the SAT I in particular—coming under increasing scrutiny, many are wondering what other alternatives exist. Public debate has largely focused on the question of which admission tests to use rather than whether or not any exam is needed. The justifications for utilizing test scores in college admission include a need to whittle down large applicant pools, concern about academic standards, and placing value on having an external measure with which to gauge high school grades. These considerations have become more complicated in the past several years as a higher volume of applications and better-prepared candidates has made admission to many colleges and universities more competitive. Although such arguments are grounded in real concerns, the benefits of using test scores do not outweigh the drawbacks. Relying on SAT I and ACT scores costs students a great deal of time and money, produces unnecessary anxiety, and diverts attention away from more worthwhile academic pursuits. While using test scores may seem like an efficient and objective way to sift through large applicant pools, it leads universities to overlook many talented candidates. These concerns are among the many that have led nearly 400 colleges and universities to eliminate test score requirements for a substantial number of their applicants. 1
