Colorado College makes standardized tests optional for admission

Colorado College announced Wednesday that have adopted a test-optional admission policy, which goes into effect now for first-year and transfer students applying for entry in fall 2020.

This new policy allows applicants to decide whether to submit their SAT or ACT scores as part of their application materials.

“Test scores are only one of many criteria that are considered in an applicant’s academic portfolio,” said Mark Hatch, vice president for enrollment at CC, noting that given the college’s holistic review of applicants, standardized test scores add little to predicting success in college.

The press release also noted that recent studies of standardized testing have made clear that these tests have cultural, social, and economic biases which include access to expensive preparation materials.

According to the release, a number of studies have found that retention and graduation rates are unaffected by test-optional policies and that the high school GPA is a stronger indicator of academic ability and a more reliable predictor of college success.