With the required SAT in the rearview mirror, South Windsor High School students are wondering, “What was the point of that?”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of universities decided to go test-optional for all students. Between online and hybrid learning, requiring standardized testing scores became overly difficult and unnecessary.
As the years have passed, and the pandemic subsided, many schools have decided to remain test optional during their application process. However, Ivy league universities have collectively decided to revert back to the mandatory SAT or ACT score submission for the 2025 college application.
Yet, how does this affect South Windsor High School juniors in their process to taking the SAT? Currently, the state mandates that every junior in public schools take the SAT despite the popular test-optional portion of college applications.
“[I’m] planning to go to a college that is test optional. I feel that they shouldn’t [mandate it] especially if students aren’t going into a four year college,” SWHS junior Carlyn Tony commented.
Recently, several students have chosen to take a different path after high school: military, a gap year, or directly into a trade career.
At South Windsor High School, for the graduating class of 2024, only 2.2% of students were admitted to, and decided to attend, an Ivy league or highly selective university. The majority of students attend either University of Connecticut or other state schools. Furthermore, 13.4% of SWHS graduates do not attend a four year college.
The SAT has become an unnecessary standardized test that requires unruly dedication from students. Over the years, the SAT has been hounded into students as the one thing between them and higher education.
Yet, that is not the case anymore. There are several other more impactful aspects of the application process that showcase a student’s knowledge and dedication. With the alleviation of the SAT, the college application process becomes more equitable for all students across the country.
According to the CNN article “Should the SAT still matter after all these years? Why some colleges are bringing it back, published on April 21st, 2024, “[The SAT] now measures how well a student has learned specific content, not inherent aptitude.”
Though the SAT allows for a more equal playing field to evaluate a student’s educational status, the recent college application process allows for the SAT to be gone away with.
