Since 1926, the SAT has been a large part of the college admissions process in America. Recently, more colleges, such as the University of Virginia, the University of Illinois (UIS), and UC Santa Barbra, have stopped requiring the SAT for college admissions.

Since 1926, the SAT has been a large part of the college admissions process in America. Recently, more colleges, such as the University of Virginia, the University of Illinois (UIS), and UC Santa Barbra, have stopped requiring the SAT for college admissions.

Colleges began to devalue SATs years ago due to how they disadvantage minorities and people of lower classes.

Since the upper class people have the resources and money, they can pay to have private tutors and test study books. 

Another reason for the devaluing of the SAT is the high-profile cheating scandals. 

The cheating scandals have demonstrated how easy it is to manipulate the scores. 

Due to COVID-19, the spring of 2020 SATs were canceled. The cancelation caused many colleges to change their requirements to make the SAT optional. 

Last week, the University of California system decided to phase out the SAT and ACT by 2025. The California system has many universities, including some of the best in the country. 

While the tests can be economically and racially discriminatory, is the alternative better?

Emily Engelschall, UC Riverside director of undergraduate admissions, said in an interview with the LA Times that she worries that dropping the testing requirement could exacerbate grade inflation.

While the SAT gives an overall understanding of a student’s capabilities, people argue that high school grades are a better measure of a student’s overall abilities compared to a student’s ability to do well on one test. 

Godwin’s own guidance counselor, Amy Gravely, said, “we have seen more colleges making the SAT optional for applicants, or for applicants who have earned a certain high school GPA.” As a counselor, Gravely, understands the application process better than most. 

She anticipates that more colleges will make the SAT an elective component of the college applications. 

“Most of this year’s junior class has not yet had the opportunity to test, and may have limited opportunity to test before college deadlines,” said Gravely. While many colleges have announced that the SAT will be optional for the class of 2021, many students still worry about the gap in their applications. 

Numerous students that were unable to test in the spring plan to take the SAT in the fall. Godwin junior, Ellie Smallwood, said, “I prepared during this fall and I want that hard work to pay off.”

The majority of students at Godwin were not affected by the SAT cancellation, however, a fair amount of juniors worry about the unexpected change and the effect it may have on their college applications. 

Soon the rest of Godwin may experience the change in the SAT as well due to the decisions colleges are making today. 

More schools than ever before are changing their application policy to make the SAT and ACT optional for students. 

Recently, UIS announced that they will not require the SAT for 2021 admissions. 

Godwin students should stay updated on STt news to decide if they will take the test of not.