By Grace Child, Editor-in-Chief

Over the past two years in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities have instituted a standardized test-optional policy that does not require applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores as a part of their application. Although this policy has aided many people in the last two years due to unusual circumstances, moving forward the policy should go back to normal and standardized tests should be reinstated. 

The reality is that without standardized testing, colleges and universities would not have a standard way to assess students that is the same across the board. While grades and transcripts are important, teachers, circumstances, and curriculum differ nationwide. There needs to be a way to assess prospective students that is universal. With test conditions the same across the board, tests like the ACT and SAT ensure that every student is tested the same way.

“While I can see it both ways, I do agree that the SAT and ACT is something that helps colleges assess everyone the same way. It sort of levels the playing field,” senior Liz Page said. With standardized tests providing a universal assessment tool, colleges and universities are provided with an additional means to assess prospective students, and students are given yet another opportunity to stand out from others.