Recent College Admissions Trends and the use of Standardized Tests such as SAT and ACT

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on "holistic" admissions, which take into account a wide range of factors beyond test scores and grades. This approach aims to give a more complete picture of an applicant and to identify students who are not just academically talented but also have other qualities, such as leadership, creativity, and motivation.

Another trend in college admissions is the increasing use of technology, with many colleges and universities using online applications and virtual tours to make the process more accessible and efficient. Additionally, some colleges are using predictive analytics to identify potential students who might be a good fit for the school.  Said differently, many colleges purchase user data and then target students who match pre-defined student success profiles from the school. 

The use of standardized test scores in the admissions process has been a topic of hot debate.  Many colleges have recently made the submission of test scores optional and some have even dropped the requirement altogether.

If we drill down into the data we see the following:

• that many students still submitted SAT or ACT test scores to competitive schools.  
• According to the College Board, in 2021, 1.7 million students took the SAT, a decrease of about 10% from the previous year. However, the number of test-takers who submitted their scores to colleges and universities increased by 20%.
• Similarly, the ACT reported that in 2021, 1.8 million students took the test, a decrease of about 9% from the previous year, but the number of students who sent their scores to colleges increased by 11%.

These numbers indicate that even though test-optional policies have become more common, many students still consider test scores to be an important part of their college application

Unfortunately, we don't have data on the number of students accepted to US 4-year degree-granting colleges and universities who submitted SAT or ACT scores compared to those who did not. However, it's worth noting that many colleges and universities have reported that the majority of admitted students did submit test scores, even if the submission of test scores was optional.

This suggests that for competitive institutions, submitting test scores can be beneficial for applicants, although it is not the only factor considered in the admissions process. Additionally, many colleges and universities have reported that the academic profiles of students who submit test scores and those who don't are quite similar, which supports the idea that test-optional policies can increase diversity and inclusivity in the student body.

In terms of demographics, there has been a growing number of low-income students and students of color applying to and attending college. This is due in part to the increasing number of outreach and support programs aimed at these groups.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on college admissions, with many colleges and universities switching to test-optional policies and virtual tours, and some institutions seeing a decline in applications.

In summary, in the recent years the approach of college admissions has been shifting towards a holistic approach, more use of technology, and increasing diversity and inclusivity. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated these changes and prompted new challenges for colleges and universities.