Yale University Joins Dartmouth, MIT, and Georgetown in Requiring Applicants to Submit Standardized Test Scores; Kaplan Survey Suggests Other Schools Will Join Them
February 22 2024 - 9:25AM
Business Wire
Yale University announced today that it will join a growing
number of top colleges and universities across the United States
that are reinstating the requirement that prospective students
submit scores from standardized tests, including the SAT® or ACT®;
but the university also said it will permit applicants to submit
scores from subject-based Advanced Placement® or International
Baccalaureate® tests in lieu of SAT or ACT scores, as part of what
they are calling a “flexible testing policy.” In announcing its
decision, Yale said evaluating applicants without test scores
“worked to the disadvantage of applicants from lower socio-economic
backgrounds.” On February 5, Dartmouth College became the first Ivy
League school to bring back the standardized testing requirement.
And results from Kaplan’s 2023 college admissions officers survey
find that these schools may not be alone for long*. Of the more
than 200 test optional schools Kaplan surveyed late last year, 15
percent said they are considering reinstating or will definitely
reinstate the requirement.
The survey also finds that among these same test optional
schools, 67 percent say if a student submits a competitive SAT or
ACT score, it helps their application.
“When the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020, the college
admissions landscape was transformed almost overnight.
Pre-pandemic, the vast majority of colleges and universities still
required applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, but amid concerns
about students safely being able to sit for the exams and concerns
that applications may drop, most schools went test optional. What
we are seeing might be a slight turning of the tide, but not yet a
sea change,” said Brian Carlidge, senior vice president, Kaplan.
“Kaplan’s most recent college admissions officers survey finds that
a significant percentage of test optional schools are reevaluating
their policies, as they may have already served their purpose and
run their course, and may now be counterproductive to their
original intent. Trends like this tend to have a snowball effect,
so if more top schools bring back the requirement, expect more to
follow. We’ll be tracking this issue carefully.”
Carlidge points out that the possible shift back to standardized
test scores comes amid the launch of the digital SAT in March and a
possible enrollment cliff that has many colleges and universities
concerned about their long term stability.
To speak with an expert at Kaplan, contact Russell Schaffer at
russell.schaffer@kaplan.com.
*Admissions officers from 203 of the nation’s top national,
regional, and liberal arts colleges and universities – as compiled
by U.S. News & World Report – were polled by e-mail and phone
between August and December 2023.
Test names and other trademarks are the property of the
respective trademark holders.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps
individuals and institutions advance their goals in an
ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students
and professionals further their education and careers, universities
and educational institutions attract and support students, and
businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and
development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a
mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all
backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 26
countries continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2
million students and professionals, 13,000 corporate clients, and
4,000 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities
worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company
(NYSE: GHC). Learn more at kaplan.com.
Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of Graham Holdings
Company (NYSE: GHC)
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222783872/en/
Press Contact: Russell Schaffer, russell.schaffer@kaplan.com,
917.822.8190
X: @KapEdNews
Graham (NYSE:GHC)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Graham (NYSE:GHC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024