College and the optional act/sat

Many colleges and universities have shifted their admissions policies to be test-optional, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. This change has been growing for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated it as many students faced challenges in taking standardized tests.

The idea behind the test-optional movement is to increase access to higher education by not making standardized tests a barrier. Proponents argue that a student's entire academic record, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation provide a more complete picture of their potential than a single test score. It's meant to help level the playing field for students who might not test well or who may not have had access to test prep resources. Colleges then review applications holistically, considering many factors to make their admissions decisions. It's all about giving students more options and recognizing diverse talents.