SAT, ACT Requirements Ruled Out at 80% of US Universities for Indian Students

 logo

Aarushi Jain
Updated on Mar 27, 2023 03:46 PM IST

As the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak, several American colleges, including the Ivy League, switched to test-optional admissions policies to accommodate applicants. Yet, since the pandemic threat has receded, this policy shift has now become the standard across the country.

SAT, ACT Requirements Ruled Out at 80% of US Universities for Indian Students

According to a recent survey, around 80% of American institutions will not need applicants to submit SAT or ACT standardised test scores for admission in the autumn of 2023. Columbia University, Brown University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Yale University, and Princeton University have also chosen test-optional entrance criteria for undergraduate programmes.

Students will now be evaluated based on their interest letters, essays, and interviews. According to the report, around 1835 American universities are now using either SAT/ACT optional test scores or test-free methods.

Also Read: Multidisciplinary Master's Programmes Offered By NUS to Prepare Students for Industry 4.0

Let us look at why universities are delaying or abandoning the use of standardised entrance examinations, and how this may affect Indian students who want to study in the United States.

What is SAT Exam?

The College Entrance Examination Board, which was founded in 1900 by 12 presidents of top universities to administer college entrance exams and standardise the admissions process, commissioned Princeton University psychology professor Carl C Brigham to create an exam that could be used by a larger group of schools. That test, now known as the SAT, was first given to high school students in 1926.

Why are Universities Abandoning the SAT as a Criterion?

To accommodate candidates during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, many universities modified their admissions policy to test-optional. Yet, since the pandemic threat has receded, this policy shift has become the standard nationwide. 

However, some academics and professionals claim that SATs are not the best approach to measure a student’s intellectual skills because individuals with good academic records have been unable to perform well on SATs owing to non-academic variables.

Columbia University announced its decision to make SATs optional for admission, stating that it did so to provide students with the chance and flexibility to completely express themselves and demonstrate their academic potential, interests, and objectives.

Also Read: USA to Accept Job Applications from Tourist and Business Visa Holders

How Will Indian Students Benefit From This?

Indian students account for a sizable proportion of the world's over one million test takers, with over 25,000 of them taking the SAT each year. According to the Open Doors Report 2022, the number of Indian students choosing the United States for higher education has more than quadrupled in the previous decade, with the country's proportion of total international students increasing from 11.81% to 21%.

Given this growing population, the move to eliminate exam requirements will have a direct influence on Indian students hoping to study in the United States. According to experts, the waiver would provide possibilities for Indian students who were previously overlooked due to their exam results.

Source: The Indian Express

Aspiring to Study Your Dream Course in the USA?

You can share this post!

Admission Open 2024

Related Articles

Aug 18, 2023 04:28 PM IST

How to Apply for Masters in USA?

Aug 03, 2023 01:18 PM IST

Documents Required for TOEFL

Our Study Abroad Offerings

Related Institutes

Planning to study abroad?

Interested in Studying Overseas?

Connect with us and kickstart your learning journey for a rewarding experience!

By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekhoAbroad Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.