Since this past summer, fewer than 25 schools including Harvard and Yale, have made the decision to not require the essay portions of the SAT and ACT for applying students. However, the essay portion of the SAT and ACT should be required, as they give the admissions office an idea of the applying student’s writing abilities.
While the SAT and ACT have become controversial to some, with different learning styles in mind, the tests remain a mandatory part of college admissions. The College Board added the essays in 2005 as a way to judge student’s writing and communication capabilities.
Not only does requiring the essay section provide universities with an idea of writing abilities, but it also helps the students who are not great test takers. Standardized tests do not accurately capture a student’s intellectual abilities. Many students encounter test anxiety, lack of confidence or outside factors that affect their grade.
“The essay portion gives the students who have a hard time with normal, multiple choice standardized tests to show their understanding,” senior integrative studies major Lyndi McCloud said. “It gives the students who strengths aren’t in test taking a chance.”
Standardized tests also pressure teachers to teach the answers to the test, rather than ensure students fully grasp the information. According to the Whitby School, “educators may also stop trying new techniques and teaching methods in the classroom.” When teachers have to juggle teaching to a curriculum, their students’ learning styles and an international exam, they often become overwhelmed and just want their students to pass the exam. This could result in skimming over the surface of the material, hindering both teachers and students.
According to the Washington Post, Duke University’s Dean of Admissions Christoph Guttentag said he relies on essays from prospective students. “It’s a singular opportunity for students to take some time and present themselves to us,” he told the Post. “There’s real value in that.”
As of 2016, both the SAT and ACT essays are optional and timed. Because the essay is timed and students do not know the essay topic beforehand, the test also examines the student’s ability to communicate on the spot. Writing and communication, both spontaneous and planned, are vital to student success during and after college. Regardless of a student’s career goal, correct grammar, spelling and syntax are essential to being successful, whatever their definition may be.
“Essay questions are so essential in understanding a prospective student’s literacy and ability to communicate,” senior public relations major Catie Murphy said. “Writing is such an imperative part of the professional and educational environment. If SAT/ACT exams are designed to calculate the student’s ability or rank to be in a specific university, then writing is the opportunity for personalization and showcasing.”
The College Board stands by its decision to continue to include their essays, even if universities stop accepting scores.
“We believe that the SAT Essay provides a strong complement to the multiple-choice section by asking students to demonstrate reading, analysis, writing and critical thinking skills in the context of analyzing a provided source text,” the College Board said in a statement.
With so many different learning styles and abilities, standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT should adhere to as many learning styles as possible. By dropping the essay section, colleges will not have a way to judge a student’s communication skills. Students deserve the chance to demonstrate their writing abilities as they will in college.
