Hanover, In. — Hanover College in southern Indiana is the latest school to scrap the SAT ACT tests during the admission process. For the 2018-19 school year will be one of about 1,000 institutions nationwide that have adopted a “test optional” or “test flexible” policy. Hanover will be the ninth school in Indiana to adopt the policy.
College administrators say the tests don’t give an accurate depiction of the effort and dedication demonstrated by students. Hanover College president Jon Riester says, “We do not see a strong correlation between standardized test scores and a student’s ability to persist in the class.”
Statistics accumulated by Hanover College shows a strong correlation between household income and test performance. Riester says they wanted to take steps to make sure they offer admission to all students across the socioeconomic spectrum.
Members of the College Board that administer the test say the test is a valid predictor of college outcomes, grade point average, retention and completion. The board asserts that high school grades are not an objective measure because they are subject to school demographics, teacher discretion and state or district standards.
