Mark Montgomery’s Post

Several prestigious selective universities have reinstated test score mandates in undergraduate admissions. However, whether this will lead to a sea change of other institutions reinstating requirements is questionable. #GreatCollegeAdvice #TestOptional #CollegeAdmissions

Ucas (the UK body managing university applications) will now ask three clear and specific questions that they really want to know the answers to, rather than having an open 'Personal statement' section in their application form. Evidence and feedback shows that being asked to write a 4,000-character statement is benefiting middle-class applicants and excluding others, perpetuating the socioeconomic gap that exists in higher education. Clarity and simplicity can open doors for a much wider section of the population. I hope they soon start to see the desired impact from this promising change. #clarity #simplicity #accessibility #education

According to this opinion piece, although some of the institutions reinstating standardized test score requirements cite diversity as their reason for doing so, this may not necessarily be true, depending on institutional admissions priorities. #GreatCollegeAdvice #CollegeAdmissions #SAT

According to these professors and their research, test-optional and test-blind admissions are linked to modest increases in Black and low-income student enrollment and thus help improve access, even if only incrementally. #GreatCollegeAdvice #CollegeAdmissions #TestOptional

According to this opinion piece, although some of the institutions reinstating standardized test score requirements cite diversity as their reason for doing so, this may not necessarily be true, depending on institutional admissions priorities. #GreatCollegeAdvice #CollegeAdmissions #SAT

Professor Bennett Fleming Asserts This Article highlights admissions practices used in the United Kingdom and argues that such practices can be instructive in developing a race-neutral approach to achieving diversity that does not involve asking applicants about their racial backgrounds. In the U.K., higher education regulators share the goal of ensuring that students from underrepresented groups and the most disadvantaged backgrounds can access higher education, yet applicants are not asked to disclose their racial background on applications. There, higher education institutions have access to national databases that allow for consideration of individual and place-based measures of disadvantage. Admissions decisionmakers are empowered to use these measures to contextualize academic indicators. The U.K. approach, termed contextual admissions, has successfully allowed a nuanced evaluation of not only test scores and grades but also disparities in advantage and opportunity. Applications from students of low-opportunity neighborhoods and schools are often flagged so that admissions decisionmakers can more closely consider these students' academic indicators in context of the structural disadvantages that these students have faced. At universities like Oxford and Cambridge, students whose indicators of educational attainment might not adequately reflect their potential--due to structural disparities in opportunity--may receive a “contextual” offer of admission at a lower level of educational attainment than “standard” offers.

We so desperately need more studies on university contextual admissions. We know that students who enrol with lower entry grades are as likely to secure degrees. But amid wider school divides, more evidence is needed to develop best practice on which specific indicators and practices should be best used for admissions to help widen access into universities. https://lnkd.in/eZPZhktK

This is an interesting article regarding AB-1780 which aims to put an end to legacy admissions in colleges and universities and reinforces a commitment to equality. Timely discussions about fairness in the admissions process are necessary to ensure higher education is accessible to everyone regardless of their background. What are your thoughts?

The ACT, SAT, GRE...Standardized tests have long been a part of the admissions process for higher education. The pandemic changed all that. Schools waived test scores, or made them optional. Now we see the pendulum swing back towards required standardized testing - at least for undergraduate admissions. Standardized testing comes with many pros and cons. I've spent most of my academic life in pursuit of accessible testing for all students, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Many thanks to the The Daily Texan for interviewing me for this article about the return to required standardized test scores for undergraduate admissions at The University of Texas at Austin. #Journalism #HigherEducation #Testing #Admissions #Accessibility What do you think? Should we return to including the SAT and ACT in college admissions policies? https://lnkd.in/gbdp8dpY

Balancing the Scales: The Role of Standardized Tests in College Admissions In the intricate world of college admissions, the debate over standardized test scores is particularly relevant for international students. These scores, which include the SAT and ACT, are often pivotal in admissions decisions, serving as a universal measure of academic ability that can be compared across different educational systems. For international students, standardized tests can level the playing field, providing an objective metric that admissions officers can use to assess academic potential. These tests are especially important when other application components, such as grades or extracurricular activities, may not translate directly across international borders. However, the test-optional movement has introduced a new dynamic into the admissions process. While it aims to reduce barriers for students, recent data from institutions like the University of Texas at Austin have shown that students who do not submit test scores tend to underperform compared to their peers who do. This has led to a re-evaluation of test-optional policies, with some schools reinstating test requirements to ensure they have a complete picture of an applicant’s academic readiness. A balanced approach to admissions for international students should consider standardized test scores as one of several factors. This ensures that all aspects of a student’s profile are evaluated, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of their potential. While test scores provide valuable information, they should not overshadow other indicators of a student’s abilities and contributions. Ultimately, the goal is to create an admissions process that is fair and equitable, providing every student with the opportunity to showcase their strengths. As the landscape continues to evolve, it is essential that institutions adapt their policies to best support the diverse needs of their applicants. #InternationalStudents #CollegeAdmissions #StandardizedTests #GlobalEducation #EquityInEducation #TestOptional