Standardized tests are still important
UM system bases admissions on test scores, high school GPA, class rank and core classes.
Published Sept. 8, 2006
Despite recent protests from organizations like www.fairtest.org, which try to decrease the emphasis of ACT and SAT scores in admissions processes, MU will continue to use standardized testing as one-third of its admissions guidelines.
The UM system bases admissions on those scores, high school grade-point average, class rank and completion of a core set of classes, UM system spokesman Joe Moore said.
"We recognize that if a student ranks in the top 10 percent they should be automatically admitted," he said.
According to MU's Web site, there is a scale of class rank versus ACT or SAT scores that is used in the admissions process.
For example, if a student is in the top 52 percent of his or her high school class, he or she needs to score a 23 on the ACT or a 1050 on the SAT. If the student is in the top six percent, he or she needs a 17 on the ACT or an 800 on the SAT.
This is to ensure that well-qualified students get admitted whether their strengths are in testing or in classes, MU spokesman Christian Basi said.
Moore said the UM system has enhanced its admissions process, and if a student is in the top 10 percent of his/her high school class, has completed the basic high school classes and has taken the ACT or SAT, he or she is automatically admitted.
"We believe there should be far less use of the standardized test," said Monty Neill, executive director of www.fairtest.org. "There's multiples sources of information that can give colleges sufficient information to make decisions."
He said colleges should also look at a combination of grades, course load, extracurricular activities, graded samples of work, essays and interviews.
There are 10 colleges in Missouri that do not use SAT I or ACT scores for admitting substantial numbers of students into bachelor degree programs, according to www.fairtest.org.
Ken Gullett, a spokesman for the ACT, said the criticism was baseless.
"You are going to be tested through your life," Gullett said.
The test "adds another dimension to the info that colleges get by leveling the playing field."
He said the ACT discourages the use of test scores alone in the admissions process, but that "they know they can't rely on one indicator."
ACT does "extensive curriculum surveys" of high school and college faculty every three years to determine new testing material, which is based on high school curriculum and the skills needed in college, Gullett said.
Each question goes through "dozens" of checks, including many racial, socioeconomic and gender groups, to ensure impartiality, he added.
The questions are then added to the current test but will not count.
The board looks at the questions again to ensure fairness. If the questions pass, then they will be a part of the next ACT.
"These tests give you information about yourself," Gullett said. "There is nothing unfair about that."