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SALT LAKE CITY — In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Utah moved to become a "test-optional" institution, meaning prospective students weren't required to submit standardized test scores to be considered for admission.
In 2022, the policy was renewed for two more years, and on Tuesday the U.'s board of trustees approved a revision for the policy to remain in place indefinitely.
"Originally, (this) was a result of the pandemic when students couldn't access testing centers," said Steve Robinson, senior associate vice president for enrollment management at the U. "One of the trends that we've noticed in the four years that we've been test-optional is there hasn't been a significant shift in terms of students academic achievement without having submitted standardized test scores to get admitted."
Once the university realized standardized testing wasn't the indicator of student success post-enrollment, the decision to become test-optional was an easy one.
Now, the university engages in a "holistic review process" when considering applicants. This means it looks at everything a student submits as part of their application process, including high school transcripts and anything else a prospective student wants the university to know.
"It's never based on a single factor like just GPA or just test scores. It's always been holistic in nature ... we're always going to be trying to look at the candidate for admission in the totality of their academic work," Robinson said.
This doesn't mean students can't submit standardized test scores as part of their application, or that the university won't consider those scores in the application — it just isn't required for admission.
Robinson said this is a big benefit to students who experience test anxiety, as they won't be weighed down by a bad test score when the rest of their academic body of work doesn't reflect those scores.
The U. is not alone in moving to the test-optional model. Far from it.
According to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing, over 2,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and its territories are test-optional. In Utah, there are 18 test-optional colleges and universities.
A release from the university said there are still some exceptions for a test-optional application. For example, students who do not earn a GPA that is directly comparable to other high school students, such as those who have a GED or those from non-accredited high schools, will still be required to submit a standardized test score.
"There are some students that really don't like taking standardized tests ... so the option to be admitted to a university like the University of Utah without it is certainly a positive for them," Robinson said. "There are some students that have really excelled on the ACT or the SAT, and they want us to know that. Student reaction to the choice has been positive."
From the freshman class of 2023, only 52% submitted test scores and the percentage has dropped every year, he said.
