High school students have breathed a sigh of relief for the last couple of years as some colleges decided to make their applications test-optional during the COVID pandemic, meaning they did not need to submit their SAT or ACT scores. However, following recent research revealing that standardized test scores have substantive predictive power for academic success in college, top universities like Harvard, Yale, and Dartmouth have decided to require the tests again. But should it be reinstated at all? Those in favor of reinstating it say the SAT is a useful tool that ensures admitted students have demonstrated high cognitive abilities and aptitude and are ready for college coursework. They argue the SAT acts as a social equalizer by leveling the playing field for applicants who are part of a lower socioeconomic scale. Those against it argue that the test says it is a measure of student potential that favors the affluent and that admissions decisions should be based on a holistic, more inclusive review that considers a wide range of factors, from extracurricular activities to personal essays and recommendations.

We debate the question: Should Elite Universities Reinstate the SAT?