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I moved to the US only 2 years ago, so am still learning about the system. As far as I can tell, the reasons for not using standardized test scores (such as the

I moved to the US only 2 years ago, so am still learning about the system. As far as I can tell, the reasons for not using standardized test scores (such as the SAT and ACT) are that: 1. Using only these scores would boost the proportion of elite university places awarded to Asians, who are already 'overrepresented' relative to their share of the population. Propel state various reasons why this is undesirable (equity/diversity, don't want everyone on campus to be 'the same') and unstated reasons (racism against Asians). 2. Blacks and Hispanics are 'underrepresented' at elite colleges relative to their respective shares of the population. The argument here is that these outcomes are prima facie due to 'systemic racism', i.e. not necessarily overt racist acts, but things in the system that together result in worse outcomes for certain ethnic groups. If you want to read more about these topics, a few starting points: 1. Recent news (and Twitter discussions) about the University of California dropping the SAT. 2. Recent news about Lowell High School switching from partially-merit-based admission, to lottery-based admission. (And the court order from a few days ago, declaring this switch null and void.) 3. Thomas Sowell's books 'Economic facts and fallacies' and 'Charter schools and their enemies'. One of the points in these books (which include data) is that, when you adjust for things like parental educational level, number of parents in home, differences in outcomes between ethnic groups' career success often lessen or disappear altogether.

simion314 5y ago
Makes sense that racism and poverty would reflect in the national scores , I would have put some effort into fixing this too. Asians having high scores and taking the sits of rich white kids feels to me as a more plausible reasons politicians are addressing the problem like this and not fixing the actual cause of poverty and racism. A solution would be to make all school good enough, so even if you have to go to a middle level school it will still be enough t get your dream job.
charlieyu1 5y ago
And the problems would have worsen without standardised test. Most of the other common entrance criteria, eg write an essay, would favour the rich who can seek a lot of outside help to "proofread" their essay. With standardised tests at least you have to do it on your own.
- rahimnathwani 5y ago
  UC is 'solving' this by using 13 factors, allowing them to pick students without reference to objective criteria: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/how-applications-are-reviewed.html https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/ap... This will allow them to achieve any desired demographic/ethnic mix.

simion314 5y ago

Makes sense that racism and poverty would reflect in the national scores , I would have put some effort into fixing this too. Asians having high scores and taking the sits of rich white kids feels to me as a more plausible reasons politicians are addressing the problem like this and not fixing the actual cause of poverty and racism. A solution would be to make all school good enough, so even if you have to go to a middle level school it will still be enough t get your dream job.

charlieyu1 5y ago

And the problems would have worsen without standardised test. Most of the other common entrance criteria, eg write an essay, would favour the rich who can seek a lot of outside help to "proofread" their essay. With standardised tests at least you have to do it on your own.

rahimnathwani 5y ago
UC is 'solving' this by using 13 factors, allowing them to pick students without reference to objective criteria: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-freshman/how-applications-are-reviewed.html https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/ap... This will allow them to achieve any desired demographic/ethnic mix.