Colleges Re-Adopt SATs After Years of Anti-Test Advocacy

In the wake of a campaign labeled "Woke I," activist groups such as FairTest succeeded in convincing most colleges to make the SAT optional, claiming the exam was rooted in eugenicist origins and favored white applicants. Opponents now contend that the policy shift has not improved equity, noting that many Black and Latino students struggle academically after admission, with some falling years behind in mathematics. Analysts cite College Board statistics showing that strong SAT performance can offset lower high-school grades and better forecast college achievement.

Commentators like Jason Riley and professor Zvezdelina Stankova have warned that the test-optional era may have simply delayed disparities rather than eliminated them. As a result, every Ivy League school and a growing number of other universities are reinstating standardized testing requirements, acknowledging the exam's role in assessing readiness. The debate underscores the tension between progressive activism and data-driven admissions practices.