The COVID-19 pandemic limited students’ access to the testing centers where the SAT or ACT was administered, prompting many higher education institutions to make entrance exam score submission optional. In January, the Division I Council, one of the NCAA’s governing bodies, voted to end standardized testing requirements for athletes at the association’s annual meeting. Division II representatives followed suit, while Division III institutions set their own eligibility standards. Supporters of test-optional admissions argue that the tests position underprivileged applicants who cannot afford extensive tutoring at a disadvantage compared to wealthier peers.
