Does SAT really not matter after a certain score?

[Mwfan1921]

@kenzoDDS

SAT scores are strongly correlated with family wealth/income. Not as much of a controlled variable as you may think. Hence the decision by many colleges to look at applications holistically.

This 100%. Some who are strong test supporters might be surprised that test scores are relatively unimportant for many students in holistic review, even at some schools that require tests.

@NiceUnparticularMan

ndeed, the highly selective colleges that have recently gone back to test required have generally tried to make it very clear they do not intend to use it simplistically, they are fully aware of the sorts of issues you raised, but have plans to use contextual information so that tests will actually help, not hurt, disadvantaged students in their process.

@NiceUnparticularMan

And some people are skeptical about that, but the bottom line is no one should assume these colleges will simply prefer A to B because A had a higher test score.

Agree with your points too.

Adding though that a test required policy does serve to limit applications from disadvantaged students who don’t understand how holistic review and contextual factors work (nor do many of their counselors)…so it’s not a stretch to say that some students who might have been competitive for admission could in fact be ‘hurt’ simply because they didn’t apply, and hence could not be admitted to a school that might be a good fit, have given them enough fin aid to attend, etc.