In a significant move, Dartmouth College has become the first Ivy League institution to reinstate standardized testing requirements for college admissions, according to the Wall Street Journal. The decision comes as schools grappled with closures and cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the postponement of SAT exam dates.

Hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation had waived standardized testing requirements for fall 2024 applicants, acknowledging the challenges faced by students due to the pandemic. The National Center for Fair & Open Testing reported that over 2,000 institutions made standardized testing optional.

However, Jean Burk, CEO of College Prep Genius, asserts that standardized tests should be mandatory for college admissions. Burk argues that these tests provide a fair way to compare students equally, as grading systems vary between different high schools. "A 4.0 at one high school is not the same as a 4.0 at another," Burk stated, emphasizing the need for a common numerical component.

Dartmouth College's student newspaper, The Dartmouth, reported that a faculty research group found standardized test scores to be significant predictors of a student's success in Dartmouth's curriculum, regardless of their background or family income. The research group believes that by not considering test scores, the college potentially misses out on exceptional applicants.

One of the concerns raised about standardized testing is its alleged bias, particularly regarding the math section of the SAT, where Black and Latino students traditionally score lower. The faculty research group acknowledged this issue and stressed the importance of evaluating test scores with an understanding of the applicant's environment, considering advantages and disadvantages at the neighborhood and high school levels.

Experts anticipate that with Dartmouth College leading the way, more educational institutions will reintroduce standardized testing requirements. The move aims to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for all applicants, especially those from underserved communities who may not have access to advanced courses like AP or IB classes.

As the discussions surrounding standardized testing continue, the reemergence of these requirements may signal a shift in the college admissions landscape. The impact on future classes, starting from the class of 2029, remains to be seen, but it is likely that other prestigious universities will follow in Dartmouth's footsteps.