Why are schools getting rid of ACT?

In an October 2022 webinar called “Preparing for a Supreme Court Decision Involving Race-Conscious Admissions,” NACAC officials similarly advised college admissions officers to “eliminate consideration of applicants' ACT and SAT scores because they reflect a variety of biases related to race and ethnicity” as well as “ ...

Why are schools moving away from ACT?

A Rising Resistance to Testing

Despite their longevity as an instrument to determine “college worthiness”, or perhaps because of this, more and more people are realizing they really don't know what the tests are meant to measure.

Why colleges are no longer requiring SAT or ACT?

“After recent Supreme Court decisions on admissions, eliminating testing requirements is a fair, legally permissible way to encourage applications from first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented student groups, for whom standardized exams are often a poor predictor of college success,” Bob Schaeffer, FairTest's ...

Is the ACT being phased out?

As long as states continue administering the SAT and ACT as a matter of course, the tests aren't going away. And as long as colleges find them useful, they will continue to play a significant role in admissions.

Why the ACT test should be abolished?

Both tests are considered by most colleges a valid assessment. However, other sources beg to differ. These dissenting sources would most likely support the view that standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT, should be abolished because they lack reliability, perfectly consistent administration, and content validity.

Should we get rid of standardized testing? - Arlo Kempf

Why is the ACT flawed?

ACT has performed few studies of score differences in its test, making it difficult to pinpoint the sources of the score gaps. Here are a few likely candidates: Biased format: Research shows that a fast-paced, multiple-choice format favors males over females. Guessing, a risk males are more likely to take, is rewarded.

Why is the ACT not reliable?

The ACT cannot accurately reflect intelligence because it does not test students on any background knowledge (save a few math and English concepts). Instead, the ACT uses patterns that a test taker can only recognize if they know the hidden tricks of the ACT question writers.

Do colleges care about ACT anymore?

Currently, only 4 percent of colleges that use the Common Application system require a standardized test such as the SAT or the ACT for admission.

Do colleges prefer ACT or SAT?

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the ACT while others gravitate towards the SAT®. This is a common misconception. Colleges don't have a preference between the SAT or ACT so it's important to know how to choose the test that's right for you.

Are colleges doing away with ACT?

While the need for submitting SAT/ACT scores has lessened, there are still some universities that require the test scores on applications. SAT and ACT scores have historically been key to the college admissions process, but that's changing quickly.

How is the ACT misused?

Over time, the ACT has been found as biased, inaccurate, and misused. The ACT has limited and even denied educational access to students. Even a straight A student can be limited to educational opportunities based on this single test. The ACT has shown bias in race and family income.

Do SAT and ACT matter anymore?

Yes, the SAT is still important; many schools still consider SAT to be a reliable measurement in evaluating the academic aptitude of applicants. Although many schools are test-optional, admissions officers will review your SAT scores if you decide to submit them.

Will colleges be test optional in 2025?

While most colleges haven't announced their testing policy for the Class of 2025 and beyond, it appears that many that adopted test-optional policies during the pandemic continue to be test-optional.

How many students fail the ACT?

In 2021, 38 percent of ACT test takers failed to meet any of the benchmarks.

Should students still take the ACT?

Taking the ACT test can increase your chances of earning new or better scholarships. One counselor found that over 10 years, more of her students earned more scholarship dollars with ACT scores than SAT scores. Learn more about paying for college.

Do most students finish the ACT?

The majority of people do not finish the ACT.

Is the ACT harder than the SAT?

The SAT is not harder than the ACT. Both tests vary slightly in terms of subjects covered and structure. These variations can affect each test-taker differently, making one exam more challenging than the other. Taking full-length practice tests of each type can help you determine which may be best suited for you.

What's the highest ACT score you can get?

The highest possible score on the ACT is 36. The current average ACT score is 19.5. A "good" ACT score depends on the colleges and universities you are considering.

Which is more difficult the SAT or ACT?

Section Summary: Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other – but each test benefits a different type of student.

Is test optional going away?

According to FairTest, that number represents 83% of four-year U.S. schools. In addition to the fall 2023 tally, FairTest also reported that 1,783 institutions- equal to about 78% of four-year colleges and universities - have already extended their test-optional/test-blind policies at least through fall 2024.

Do colleges look more at GPA or ACT?

Although the ACT is given a lot of weight, the GPA is still a huge component of your application. It is the only piece of numerical data that can reveal hard work, self-discipline, and consistency. Together with your transcript, your GPA can show improvement over time and intellectual growth.

Do colleges see all ACT attempts?

Although the ACT does not have a formal Score Choice option like the SAT, you can choose which ACT scores colleges will see. Remember: The ACT does not create score reports which list all of the times you have taken the ACT.

How is the ACT unfair?

One criticism of standardized tests like the ACT is that only the well-to-do can afford “expensive” prep courses like the ones that I taught. (The Center's course cost a few hundred dollars.) Critics always stress “expensive” to emphasize their claim that prep courses give an unfair advantage to wealthier students.

Is ACT losing money?

The revenues generated by ACT Inc. from educational assessment and work-force development — a category that includes the ACT exam — declined by nearly $100 million during just the fiscal year that ended on August 31, 2020.

Why are ACT scores so low?

“So the tests have gotten easier, and the scores continue to go down.” According to her and others like Vera Murphy Trayner, the owner of Veritas College Counseling, one of the big factors leading to the lower scores is COVID 19.