Introduction
The SAT has been a requirement for college admission for decades, but the debate over whether it should remain so is still ongoing. Larry Gordon argues in his 2019 article “Debate underway whether the University of California should require SAT and ACT for admissions” that the SAT should no longer be required for college admissions. In contrast, Preston Cooper argues in “Should Colleges Abandon the SAT Score Requirements?” (2020) that the SAT should continue to be a requirement for college admission. Despite the possibility of linguistic bias, the SAT should be required for college admission because it is an effective and equitable gatekeeper.
Advantages
One argument favoring the SAT as a college admissions requirement is that it is helpful in evaluating applicants. The SAT is a “standardized test that measures critical reading, math, and writing skills” and “provides colleges and universities with one common measure of students’ academic achievement,” according to the National Center for Education Statistics (2021). Colleges and universities benefit from this because it allows them to compare applicants from various high schools and backgrounds, ensuring that all applicants are evaluated fairly. Furthermore, the SAT is an accurate predictor of college success. The College Board (2021) states that “students who score higher on the SAT are more likely to earn higher grades in college,” demonstrating that the SAT is useful for assisting colleges and universities in identifying the most qualified applicants.
Disadvantages
However, some legitimate concerns about the SAT as a college admissions requirement exist. John Rosales and Tim Walker argue in “The Racist Beginnings of Standardized Testing” (2021) that standardized tests like the SAT are rooted in racism. They explain that the SAT was created to “weed out” students from specific backgrounds from attending college. While this is an understandable concern, it is worth noting that the SAT is now a widely accepted and valuable assessment tool for college admissions.
Conclusion
Although linguistic bias may be a concern, the SAT should remain a mandatory component of college admissions because it serves as a fair and efficient gatekeeper. The SAT is a standardized test that measures students’ academic achievement and effectively predicts college success in colleges and universities. While there are valid objections regarding the SAT’s role in college admissions, such as the possibility of bias, there are ways to mitigate this issue and ensure that all participants are assessed fairly.
References
Cooper, P. (2020). Should Colleges Abandon SAT Score Requirements? Forbes. Web.
Gordon, L. (n.d.). Debate underway whether University of California should require SAT and ACT for admissions. EdSource. Web.
Rosales, J., & Walker, T. (2021). The Racist Beginnings of Standardized Testing | NEA. National Education Association. Web.
The College Board. (2021). SAT ® Understanding Scores. Web.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). FAST FACTS. SAT scores. Web.