Some schools are requiring SAT scores again

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — College entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT have traditionally been a right of passage for high school students. However, during the pandemic, many colleges and universities across the country waived the requirement.

Now, some schools are returning to those tests.

Before the pandemic, the SAT or ACT were included in the admissions criteria for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The university switched to a test-optional model, and that policy is still in place. UTRGV officials said they do not want the test to be a barrier to attending the school.

According to Dara Newton, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment at UTRGV, “If it is more comfortable when they’re applying to the institution and trying to meet admissions criteria to leave that off of their application, we want students to be able to do that.”

Newton said students would not be penalized if they did not submit a test score. She said, if students feel the test could help in the application process, they can still submit those results. Newton said the admissions process at UTRGV takes a holistic approach.

“They look at our students’ GPA, for example. They’ll look at our students, you know the different courses that they’re taking. Are they taking regular courses, or are they taking advanced courses? Are they taking those more rigorous courses, those AP and IB courses,” explained Jennifer Avelar, Director of College and Career Success for Region One.

Avelar said that even during the pandemic, Region One always encouraged students to take these tests. She said even at testing optional institutions, there may be different requirements for certain degree plans or specific programs.

"Yes, I got accepted to this college, but is there something else that's needed, additionally to get into that engineering program? Or if there's something else that's needed to get into the biology program," she said.

Avelar said some districts are also helping with the costs associated with testing.

“Not all high schools, but a lot of our high schools offer two fee waivers. Two for the SAT and two for the ACT. So right now, they have nothing to lose. They’re not having to pay for it, they’re just having to go and test,” she said.

Newton said students could miss out on money to help pay for college if they don't sit for the exams. She explained, “When you’re talking about merit scholarships or you’re looking at particular financial aid programs that require additional information, then that SAT or ACT can definitely play into those programs.”

UTRGV said about 50% of its applicants submit an SAT or ACT score. The university said it has no plans to change its current test-optional policy.