Test Optional College Admissions

Jackie Mandart – Assistant Dean of Admissions at Union College

Essentials of Professional Development Syracuse, NYJanuary 30, 2017

Background: Why do colleges decide to go test optional?

• The pro’s of standardized testing– SAT and ACT are quickly administered and objective

assessments– Correlated to IQ scores– Allows BOE or government to assess schools and

teachers/hold them accountable– Easy measure to use when awarding scholarships,

particularly for students from low income families– Most importantly, SAT and Act have predictive power

• 1st year GPA, graduation year GPA, likelihood of graduation, future income

• The con’s of standardized testing– Most importantly, SAT and ACT don’t have much predictive

power• 1st year GPA, graduation year GPA, likelihood of graduation, future

income

– Test anxiety– History of testing problems

• Most recently overseas leaks/cheating, SAT redesign problems, ACT writing section problems

– Bias• Gender, English language learners, students of color,

socioeconomic status

• Why do colleges go test optional– All of the con’s of standardized testing

• After SAT redesign, about 60 colleges went test optional in a year

– Liberal arts colleges, which use less “standardized” grading models, see less correlation of SAT/ACT to college academic success

– Applications increase after going test optional which means colleges can be more selective and diverse

• FairTest.org states that over 900 colleges and universities do not require the SAT or ACT in their admissions practices

• Many ways to implement this

– e.g. more emphasis on high school GPA, graded essays, state testing, AP/IB, subject tests, GPA requirement

Union College: A Case Study

• Union College is test optional– Official policy on Admissions website:

• Standardized Testing (optional, except for homeschooled students and those applying for the Leadership in Medicine program or the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program). Our school code for the SAT is 2920 and for the ACT our code is 2970.Please note: For applicants who select to have their SAT or ACT scores considered during the review process, the writing section is not required unless you are applying for the Leadership in Medicine program.

• Statistics

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

% Testing Considered Class of '11 Class of '12 Class of '13 Class of '14 Class of '15 Class of '16 Class of '17 Class of '18 Class of '19 Class of '20

Applied 90% 76% 74% 69% 71% 71% 67% 74% 71% 70%

Admitted 89% 77% 75% 74% 75% 75% 74% 77% 76% 75%

Enrolled 79% 68% 60% 56% 61% 57% 60% 63% 59% 61%

• Recommendations for students– Look at middle 50% of SAT/ACT (class of 2020)

• SAT: 600-690 critical reading, 620-720 math (old SAT scores, tests administered before March 2016)

• ACT: 28-32

– If a student falls in the middle 50% range (or above!) it is worth sending your scores because it will boost a student up in the admissions process

– Not just admissions counselors: coaches play a role in advising students on whether or not to submit test scores

• Among SAT submitters, the higher the SAT, the higher the Union GPA, even when controlling for high school GPA and class rank. There is no correlation with SAT scores and retention rates.

Advising Students: What does this mean for high school counselors?

• How to talk to students about test optional policies– Be sure students know their options

• e.g. if test anxiety is an issue, they should explore schools that are test optional

– When submitting applications, students should think critically about which schools should get their test scores• Don’t waste fee waivers on test optional schools!

• How to advocate for students– Talk to counselors at colleges and ask how they evaluate

testing or what material needs to be sent in lieu of testing

– Look at the middle 50% and average test scores for each school and be sure a student is not submitting scores too low for the institution

– Keep an eye on your transcripts: if your high school’s transcript displays a students’ SAT/ACT scores, they will be visible even if a student decides not to submit their testing

Resources: Where to find more information

• The National Center for Fair & Open Testing– http://www.fairtest.org/– Full and updated list of test optional schools across

the country, research on testing policies

• Check college websites• Ask your colleagues! Call about students if

their test scores are on the border• Talk to coaches

Questions?

Thank you to NACAC and Tania Johnson-Rachkoskie (Director of Education and Training), Syracuse Public Schools, Onondaga Community College, Union College Admissions, and more