In the midst of universally uncharted territory marked by illness and fatality, adjustments to standardized testing policies may seem insignificant. 

These changes, though, further serve as a catalyst to shifts in our modern education system; many of which were already in motion.

While some colleges have sporadically implemented test-optional policies in recent years, these numbers have spiked. In the past two weeks, over 20 universities have adapted to these policies specifically due to the Coronavirus.

Most schools are acknowledging the difficulties and setbacks associated with the SAT/ACT during this time, limiting their optional test period to the 2021/2022 application period.

Tufts University, for example, will be testing a three year test-optional period. 

JT Duck, Dean of Admissions at Tufts, wrote, “While the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on SAT and ACT testing opportunities contributed to the urgency of this policy, this decision aligns with our ongoing efforts to critically examine our policies, and to promote maximum access to a Tufts education to high-achieving students of all backgrounds and identities from across the country and around the world.”

Boston University is going optional for fall 2021 and spring 2022 and plans to reevaluate the policy next spring.

Conversely, Oregon’s seven public universities decided jointly that they will permanently no longer require these standardized tests.

Many schools have followed these general guidelines, either going optional indefinitely or for the next year upon reevaluation.

What will this mean for the future of American universities’ standardized test policies? 

For the next application year, it is projected that almost all schools will have to become test-optional. Following this period, though, many have already promised to continue these adjustments. 

The test-optional efforts made in the past few years combined with these unprecedented circumstances will likely mean that this is marking the devaluation of standardized testing for most college admissions. 

Below is a composite list of all schools who have gone test-optional or made other accommodations to their requirements to date:

Boston University

Case Western Reserve University

Chapman University

Clarkson University

Davidson College

Eastern Oregon University

Indiana University

Oregon State University

Pomona College

Portland State University

Rhodes College

Scripps College

Suffolk University

Southern Oregon University 

Texas Christian University

Tufts University

University of California, 10 campuses

University of Oregon

Vassar College

Western Oregon University