Mon Sep 09 14:10:42 UTC 2024: ## Johns Hopkins Joins Trend, Reinstates Standardized Testing for Admissions
Johns Hopkins University has announced it will require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admission starting with the 2025-2026 application cycle. This decision follows a review of academic research and the university’s experience with test-optional admissions during the pandemic.
The university cited the predictive value of standardized testing for academic success at Johns Hopkins, echoing similar statements from other prestigious institutions like Stanford, which also reinstated testing requirements.
This move follows a trend of highly selective schools returning to pre-pandemic testing policies. Experts believe this is driven by compelling data showing the correlation between test scores and academic performance, particularly at top-tier universities experiencing record-high applications and low acceptance rates.
While this trend is expected to continue among the most competitive universities, less selective schools are unlikely to follow suit. Research indicates that test-optional policies lead to higher application numbers, a valuable tool for universities struggling with enrollment.
Despite the return of testing at selective institutions, experts anticipate a minimal impact on applications, with students potentially shifting their focus to test-optional or less demanding universities. However, the impact on these institutions is expected to be negligible.
This move by Johns Hopkins signifies a shift in the higher education landscape, highlighting the continued relevance of standardized testing in predicting academic success at the most competitive universities.
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