More Schools With Test Optional Admissions

 George Washington University is joining over a hundred schools that no longer require students to submit ACT or SAT scores.
 
It’s becoming a trend in schools across the country, but what do some students think about the change and could we see it right here in the Red River Valley?
 
Sydney Bluestein is with her friend who’s getting ready to take an online test at NDSU.

She’s a sophomore and remembers not being a good test taker in high school.
 
“Failed a test or two and it just didn’t make sense to me. I did all the homework and could study and everything just could not get a good grade,” said Bluestein.
 
She isn’t alone.
The National Center for Fair and Open Testing says more than 125 private colleges and universities have test optional admissions policies.

It’s a practice that Zackary Rittenhouse agrees with.
 
“An ACT/SAT score, they’re just numbers. They don’t really tell you how a person is going to succeed,” said Concordia Sophomore Rittenhouse.
 
MSUM leaders say they do look at these scores as a part of admissions criteria, but they’re not totally opposed to the idea of optional test policies.
 
“I am sure that we will look at it as it becomes more of a trend,” said MSUM Undergraduate Admissions Director Shaun Manning.
 
Like many other schools, MSUM takes other things into consideration along with scores.
 
“We currently continue to use the ACT and some SAT in our recruitment decision, but it’s certainly not the primary thing or the only thing that we’re looking at,” said Manning.
 
“Many local students say they like the test optional practice because many students can’t handle tests under pressure.”
 
“Especially when it’s a timed test. You panic when there’s not enough time left. You have to read through everything, kind of pick out the important parts and that puts a lot of pressure on the student,” said NDSU Senior Ashley Gehl.
 
“I think it’s a good idea, I just think that a lot of students aren’t good test takers,” said Bluestein.
 
It’s a practice that’s gaining traction. But will it become the new norm?
 
The new admissions policy for George Washington University starts in the fall of 2016.