The ability of standardized test scores to be a reliable indicator of high school students’ collegiate success has been under question for many years. More than 800 universities have test-optional admissions policies. As North Carolina universities navigate this issue, UNC should continue to require some sort of standardized test for all undergraduate applicants.
College admission officers have stated that a combination of test scores and other criteria, such as community involvement, paints a clearer picture of an applicant’s potential success at a university than any single factor. UNC’s undergraduate admissions office has explicitly said that test scores may never make or break a prospective student’s application.
However, it is not fair to say that the ACT and SAT standardized tests are without merit in reflecting the ability of a prospective student. It’s naive to believe that the test taking abilities that are measured by standardized test scores are not crucial skills for any successful college student.
Standardized tests scores are not and should not be the ends all be all of college applications. The largely criticized No Child Left Behind Act has spotlighted the many deficiencies of standardized tests. But so long as they help illustrate an applicant’s strengths and weaknesses in some way, standardized test scores should continue to be part of UNC’s required application.
