Impact of Standardized Examinations on Students of Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds

In the world of college admissions, standardized tests have long been a critical factor in determining a student's academic readiness. However, recent years have seen a shift in this tradition, especially for underrepresented minorities.

Take the case of Gampala, a student who extensively prepared for the ACT, including taking numerous practice tests. His decision to focus on the ACT came after hearing about others achieving success on it. However, Gampala's prep course, which he took the summer before his junior year, moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACT, unlike its counterpart the SAT, is designed to measure knowledge rather than aptitude for learning. Yet, both tests have a history of scoring gaps based on race, a fact that statistically impacts the performance of students.

Gampala found the online format of standardized testing distracting and hindering to his performance. This issue is not unique to Gampala; students of color typically score lower than white students on standardized tests, a disparity that can be traced back to systemic inequities in other parts of the admissions process.

The pandemic has further highlighted these issues, leading to an increase in colleges and universities shifting their admissions process away from standardized test scores. Many colleges in the U.S. temporarily suspended or made standardized tests optional due to exam centre closures and access issues caused by the pandemic. This shift disproportionately affected students of color who often rely on test scores to demonstrate academic readiness.

While this change offered reduced barriers to application for some students of color, it also posed risks of increased reliance on subjective measures and existing biases in holistic admissions. The pandemic has intensified ongoing debates about the role and fairness of standardized tests in college admissions for underrepresented minorities.

It's important to note that the SAT and ACT are the most common standardized tests used for undergraduate college admissions in the U.S. The SAT has even reinvented itself, but the growing test-optional movement may suggest numbered days for standardized testing.

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Epstein, a college counselor who has conducted hundreds of admissions interviews for the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in helping families find the right schools for their children. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique needs of each student and advocating for equitable admissions practices.

In conclusion, while the role of standardized testing in college admissions continues to be debated, it's clear that the pandemic has brought to light the need for change. Gampala's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding the impact of standardized tests on underrepresented minorities and the need for more equitable admissions practices.