SAT prep this summer: why the SAT matters (again…)

Connecticut students – or really parents- should be happy that the SAT is coming back strong. Why?  Because it is a national test.  Connecticut students do great on national tests.

But my child has good grades…sorry, so does everyone including students from all those states that provide generally subpar education compared to Connecticut or at least Connecticut’s outstanding Shoreline and Fairfield County schools.

If your children attend Guilford or Daniel Hand or Valley Regional or Lyme-Old Lyme or East Lyme, among other great high schools, do you really want their GPAs compared to students from areas where getting As is far easier?

In recent years, the role of standardized tests like the SAT in college admissions has been a rollercoaster. From being a cornerstone of applications to a near fade into obscurity during the pandemic, the SAT is now experiencing a notable resurgence.

Elite institutions like Harvard, MIT, Yale, and UT Austin have reinstated SAT/ACT requirements, signaling a shift back toward valuing these tests. So, what’s driving this comeback, and what does it mean for students? Let’s dive into the reasons behind the SAT’s renewed importance, its implications, and how students can navigate this evolving landscape.

The SAT’s Ebb and Flow in Admissions

The SAT, long considered a gatekeeper to higher education, faced a significant challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. With test centers closed and access limited, over 1,800 colleges and universities, including most Ivy League schools, adopted test-optional or test-blind policies by 2023, according to FairTest. This shift was hailed as a step toward equity, as critics argued the SAT favored wealthier students with access to expensive test prep.

However, the pendulum is swinging back. By 2024, prestigious schools like Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, MIT, and UT Austin reinstated standardized testing requirements for the 2024–2025 admissions cycle. Harvard followed suit, announcing in 2024 that SAT/ACT scores would again be required starting with the class of 2029. This reversal has sparked debate and confusion, with students, parents, and counselors grappling with a patchwork of policies across institutions.

Why the SAT is Making a Comeback

Several factors are fueling the SAT’s return to prominence in college admissions:

• Predictive Power for College Success
  Research consistently shows that SAT scores are a strong predictor of first-year college performance, often outperforming high school GPA alone. For example, a 2024 study cited by UT Austin found that students who submitted SAT scores had a median score of 1420 and were 55% less likely to have a first-semester GPA below 2.0 compared to those who didn’t submit scores (median: 1160). Brown and Yale’s admissions committees echoed this, noting that test scores provide critical data on a student’s ability to handle rigorous academic environments.
• Context for Academic Potential
  The SAT offers a standardized measure to compare students from diverse educational backgrounds. A high score from a student at a less-resourced high school can signal exceptional potential, especially when viewed in the context of local norms. Dartmouth’s President Sian Leah Beilock emphasized that test-optional policies often disadvantage less-privileged applicants, as admissions officers miss valuable data when scores aren’t submitted. For instance, a 1400 SAT score from a school with an average of 1000 provides insight into a student’s relative academic strength.
• Grade Inflation Concerns
  Grade inflation has eroded trust in high school GPAs. A 2025 post on X noted that colleges are reverting to SAT/ACT scores because inflated GPAs no longer reliably reflect ability. Standardized tests provide an objective benchmark, helping admissions officers differentiate between students with similar grades.
• Merit-Based Scholarships and Program Placement
  Beyond admissions, SAT scores are often required for merit-based scholarships and course placement. Many institutions use scores to determine eligibility for financial aid or to place students in advanced courses, even at test-optional schools. This makes submitting a strong score advantageous, even when optional.
• The Digital SAT’s Appeal
  The transition to a digital SAT in 2024 has addressed some criticisms of the traditional test. The digital format is shorter (2 hours 14 minutes), adaptive, and offers features like on-screen highlighting and immediate feedback. Enhanced security measures, such as encryption and biometric authentication, also ensure fairness. These changes make the test more accessible and appealing to both students and colleges.