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Standardized tests have existed for decades. However, due to continued criticisms and the COVID-19 pandemic restricting face-to-face examinations, the practice has greatly diminished. It has now been replaced by alternative practices such as test-required, test-optional, and test-blind admission processes.
This article discusses the debates surrounding standardized tests, how they affected admissions and application rates, particularly during the pandemic, how colleges in recent years have either abolished, loosened, or reinstated the practice, and what this may mean for Asian American students and their families.
Debates on Standardized Tests
Standardized testing has been a long-standing admissions practice at higher education institutions in the US. These institutions relied on the process to create standards for academic rigour and merit. However, critics of this practice argued that they only widen the gaps for applicants, exacerbating admissions inequality.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the admission scene. The phenomenon increased the number of dissidents, especially those facing health risks, which, in turn, led to limited testing facilities and capabilities. Hence, admissions opted for alternatives during the pandemic, primarily test-optional practices, followed by test-blind admission processes. Schools had to recalibrate their admissions processes without relying heavily on the SAT and ACT.
Hence, when institutions dropped the test requirement for admissions, there was a spike in applications, especially at highly selective institutions. For example, Brown University reached an all-time high application volume in 2021 for the Class of 2025, increasing from 36,592 to 46,469 applicants. Unfortunately, for other universities, this resulted in sharp declines in admission rates in 2021: Princeton admitted 3.98% of its applicants, Penn 5.68%, Stanford 3.95%, Vanderbilt 6.7%, and many others.
Differences Between Test-Required, Test-Optional, and Test-Blind
Test-Required
A test-required admission is part of the application process where a university or college requires an examination for a student’s undergraduate-level admission. The most common examples of this admission are ACT and SAT. These institutions use these test scores as key factors in your application review.
Some institutions prefer this method for two major reasons. First, studies conducted by organizations such as the ACT Research in 2023 concluded that grade inflation was affecting the credibility of grades as determining factors in admissions. Second, Harvard research group, Opportunity Insights, justifies how standardized test scores have more predictive power for academic success in college, especially at highly selective institutions.
Test-Optional
A test-optional admission is an application process that does not require students to take an admission examination. However, it takes into account the score you submit, especially for above-average scores, which can give more weight and depth to your application.
Prior to the pandemic, universities already practiced this admission, but it has gained considerable popularity in recent years. Institutions believe that by allowing test-optional admissions, they are diversifying the student pool and, at the same time, maintaining the quality of selection among students. For example, Luther College believes that this is a more equitable process for the underrepresented students.
Test-Blind
Contrary to the two aforementioned processes, a test-blind admission does not take any test scores into consideration when reviewing a student’s application. It does not matter whether your test scores are above average, average, or below average. A statistical finding suggests that institutions that disregard or give less weight to test scores have shown a 2% increase in underrepresented students.
This process focuses on factors such as admissions equity, holistic review, and the erasure of test score anxiety. Admissions will look more into your GPA, course rigor, submitted essays, and extracurricular activities. Institutions that have completely shifted to test-blind admissions believe that by dropping test-based considerations, they are increasing diversity while considering each applicant’s socioeconomic circumstances.
List of Colleges Reinstating Standardized Test Requirements
Here are the following lists you should look into when choosing the best college plan. These lists include institutions that reinstated standardized testing during admissions, such as Ivy League, top private schools, and top public schools.
Ivy League
- Brown University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- Yale University
Top Private Schools
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Georgetown University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
Top Public Schools
- Purdue University
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
What This May Mean for Asian American Students
The Post-SFFA Landscape and Standardized Testing
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled affirmative action, which was considered an equalizing factor in admissions, as unconstitutional. This ended the long-standing practice of many institutions. One effect of this decision was the reimplementation of standardized tests. However, critics mentioned that bringing back test-required admissions only increases the structural barriers that underrepresented communities face in education.
Moreover, the stark difference in the lived experiences of People of Color (POCs) is highly irrelevant as far as standardized test is concerned. In a College Board analysis, students from low-income families are more likely to score lower in the SAT or ACT, suggesting a racial bias where white people generally score higher because it caters to them both academically and culturally.
Another study by the College Board compared the statistics of the distribution of race and ethnicity in SAT scores. Asians generally scored 4 times higher than white people, 2.7 times higher than multiracial people, 13.5 times higher than Hispanics, and 27 times higher than Blacks. However, if test scores determined admissions, there should have been 44% admissions for Whites and 41% for Asians.
The Model Minority Myth: Justifying Standardized Tests for All Asian Americans
Known for grouping all Asians into one stereotype, the Model Minority myth paints Asians as intelligent and diligent. Thus, they are expected to succeed in all aspects of academic and socioeconomic success. Not only that, it assumes that Asians are at the top of the hierarchy among people of color through merit alone.
For many reasons, this belief has multiple negative effects, such as how it forces individualism to differentiate Asians and other ethnicities, which drives a racial web for groups of people.
Additionally, it holds Asians in monolithic perspectives and unfair standards. Asian Americans have many races and ethnic groups with different experiences, histories, cultures, and knowledge. Not all Asian Americans are well-off; some of them belong to low socioeconomic backgrounds. Not all Asians are inherently knowledgeable; some of them struggle academically
How can standardized tests truly represent projected academic success if they give fixed answers and do not display any critical thinking or quality?
This myth often caters to neoliberal education that pivots to a capitalistic approach to education, rather than its holistic improvement. It places immense pressure on Asian American students for their success and elevates their families to higher-income brackets.
Many believe that schools should opt for more accurate learning assessments.
Tips for Asian American Applicants:
Still unsure of your college approach? Here are three things you need to know when choosing which institution to apply to:
- Your ACT/SAT scores are important factors when opting for test–optional and test-required schools, as these are heavy determiners of your standing in admissions.
- Your standing GPA informs admissions how you performed during high school and may be used to assume your success in college, especially when applying to test-optional and test-blind schools that require it.
- Your family’s priorities are also important factors to consider during college applications.
Want to learn more about college applications? Here are some articles you can read to help you understand current college applications and how they might affect you:
- Thriving in Competitive High Schools: 5 Strategies to Stand Out in College Admissions
- ACT Acquisition Explained: What It Means for College Admissions [2026 Guide]
- Fall 2026 Standardized Test Requirements for the Top 70 U.S. Universities
- End of Affirmative Action: 5 Tips For Asian American Students
- What Is Legacy Admission and Its Hidden Impact on Asian Americans
- What’s the Difference Between Early Decision vs. Early Action?
How Ivy Talent Education Can Help You
Here at Ivy Talent Education, we can confidently provide the steps and guidance you and your family need as you step into college. We provide personalized coaching, high mastery in test preparation and admissions, and the best strategies to help your college application stand out. Contact us here to schedule a free consultation session today!
