acrosstheuniverse said:
While researching about the SAT Subject Tests, I came across this very well written article discussing the University of California’s recent push by faculty to consider dropping the SAT Subject Tests from student requirements. Although this push is far from becoming a reality it does bring up some interesting debate.
College Board says that about 160 mostly elite schools currently use the SAT Subject tests to have show an “unbiased measure” of a student’s specific skills in that area of study. Not only do students benefit from knowing this information early on, but it helps the colleges make sure they know the students are at an academic level in which they can achieve success in their new post-secondary experience. They also say that this not only prepares the student for what they’ll come across in the coming year, but gives the school a good indication of what the applicants know coming in. Some professors for specific programs say these tests are needed to provide sufficient information of the applicant pool.
The California Faculty panel argues that these tests, along with the ACT or regular SAT scores as well as high school grades add “very little” to the admission scores and statistics on the student. It is also found in the faculty report that many low-income and minority students cannot apply to some of the elite schools because they do not take these SAT subject tests along with the SATs. They say this draws a line between private and public institutions, over requirements as well as the fees needed to pay for these SAT Subject Tests.
“If UC were to drop subject tests, barely six dozen campuses in the country would require them,” said Schaeffer. “The potential domino effect of more schools eliminating that testing requirement could cost the College Board tens of millions.”
Check out the whole article, SAT Subject Tests Face New Scrutiny to clarify your position on this issue.
What do you think? Are the SAT Subject Tests a good additional indication? Or do you agree with the UC faculty panel that they don’t add much value?
