During the annual meeting of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, a special commission was formed to study the use of standardized admissions tests. While they did not advocate for the expulsion of the SAT, it was clear that the exam, which is 81 years old, was not the most popular choice among attendees. The commission held a "listening meeting" where over 100 high school counselors and college-admissions officers gathered to discuss the validity and usefulness of admissions tests.

When it came to the discussion of the SAT, the speakers had differing opinions regarding whether it should be made optional or replaced entirely. William R. Fitzsimmons, the dean of admissions at Harvard University and the commission chair, suggested that they should take a stance on making the test optional. The majority of the crowd agreed with this proposition. Brad MacGowan, a counselor from Newton North High School, expressed his support for making the SAT optional, stating that it has little to do with the curriculum and that it has more disadvantages than advantages.

The debate surrounding the value of the SAT has been ongoing for years, but it has recently gained more attention. Last July, an article titled "Abolish the SAT" was published by Charles Murray, a previous advocate of the SAT and co-author of the controversial book "The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life." The article argued that the SAT has become a negative influence in American society. Prior to the annual meeting of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Fitzsimmons distributed this article to the other commission members, fueling speculation that they may recommend an alternative to the dominance of the SAT and ACT exams.

David Hawkins, the director of public policy for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, stated that the commission began their work with a consensus that they needed to address the appropriateness of the SAT and ACT. However, he emphasized that the commissioners, who consist of high school counselors, college-admissions officers, and other professionals, are not inclined to immediately eliminate the SAT or ACT. They want to provide a statement about the admissions process and exercise their influence in the decision-making process.

The commission was established in response to concerns about SAT scoring errors and the increasing number of colleges implementing optional-test policies. Robert Schaeffer, a spokesperson for the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, claims that 755 colleges and universities do not require test scores from a significant number of applicants. However, Sandra Riley, a spokesperson for the College Board, which owns the SAT, stated that 88 percent of four-year colleges still require admissions-test scores.

Is it Time to Consider Subject Tests as an Alternative to the SAT?

Several speakers at the event advocated for replacing the SAT reasoning test with subject tests in various disciplines such as sciences, history, foreign languages, and more. These subject tests, which were formerly known as the "SAT II," are administered by the College Board. In an interview, Mr. Murray expressed his approval of the subject tests, describing them as a comprehensive assessment. According to his research, the SAT reasoning test does not possess any advantage over the subject tests in predicting students’ success in college.

Furthermore, Mr. Murray argued that if the SAT reasoning test were replaced by a broader range of subject tests, affluent students would still continue to prepare intensely. However, instead of focusing solely on test-taking strategies, they would be forced to study the actual subject content. Taking the example of a chemistry subject test, he emphasized that students would not only be preparing for the test but also acquiring knowledge in chemistry. This approach is more beneficial than simply mastering test-taking skills.

Mr. Fitzsimmons acknowledged the value of subject tests, but he highlighted that only a limited number of colleges, around 65, require them for admission. He likened the process of shifting the entire higher education admissions system to turning a massive ocean liner. Additionally, there are logistical challenges associated with implementing a shift from a single SAT test to three subject tests, as Harvard currently demands. Mr. Fitzsimmons, playing the devil’s advocate, voiced his belief that standardized admissions tests are crucial for many institutions.

In conclusion, while some individuals advocate for replacing the SAT reasoning test with subject tests, there are significant obstacles that need to be overcome, including limited adoption by colleges and the practical requirements of implementing such a change. Nonetheless, there is recognition of the benefits of subject tests, encouraging further discussion on the topic.