SAT and ACT Reinstatement: A Win for Meritocracy
Submitted by MAGA Student
Posted 2 hours ago
The reintroduction of SAT and ACT requirements by the University of Alabama System marks a significant victory for academic standards and meritocracy in higher education.
As of August 2026, applicants to the University of Alabama's three campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville will once again be required to submit standardized test scores as part of their applications.
This decision, first announced on December 18, 2025, comes in response to the growing concerns over educational qualifications in a post-pandemic environment.
Tonjanita Johnson, the senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, emphasized that standardized test scores play a critical role in predicting academic success.
"To ensure we are admitting students who can handle the rigor of our curriculum, we feel it best to include the test score as a part of our review," Johnson said during a recent Board of Trustees meeting.
Many previous proponents of test-optional policies have faced criticism, with accusations that these policies prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over genuine academic achievement.
Conservative voices have long argued that eliminating standardized testing diminishes the integrity of admissions processes and devalues the hard work of high-achieving students.
This trend toward reinstating standardized testing aligns with a broader national movement among universities recognizing the importance of metrics that genuinely assess student readiness.
Institutions such as Harvard, the University of Miami, and the University of Pennsylvania have also announced similar measures, signifying a potential turning tide against the test-optional movement that gained traction during the pandemic.
Critics argue that prioritizing subjective criteria in college admissions can lead to academic disparities, while proponents of standardized testing assert that it offers a straightforward measure of competence.
The return to testing in Alabama shines a light on the need for educational institutions to prioritize academic merit—something that the Republican party has championed for years.
As other universities grapple with their admissions standards in an increasingly complex world, the University of Alabama's decision stands as a testament to the belief that academic performance should be the cornerstone of college admissions, not an afterthought.
This shift back to requiring standardized tests may not only benefit the students admitted but could also enhance the overall academic environment across campuses, ultimately equipping graduates for success in their future careers.
Sources:
campusreform.org
joehoft.com
cointelegraph.com
As of August 2026, applicants to the University of Alabama's three campuses in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville will once again be required to submit standardized test scores as part of their applications.
This decision, first announced on December 18, 2025, comes in response to the growing concerns over educational qualifications in a post-pandemic environment.
Tonjanita Johnson, the senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, emphasized that standardized test scores play a critical role in predicting academic success.
"To ensure we are admitting students who can handle the rigor of our curriculum, we feel it best to include the test score as a part of our review," Johnson said during a recent Board of Trustees meeting.
Many previous proponents of test-optional policies have faced criticism, with accusations that these policies prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over genuine academic achievement.
Conservative voices have long argued that eliminating standardized testing diminishes the integrity of admissions processes and devalues the hard work of high-achieving students.
This trend toward reinstating standardized testing aligns with a broader national movement among universities recognizing the importance of metrics that genuinely assess student readiness.
Institutions such as Harvard, the University of Miami, and the University of Pennsylvania have also announced similar measures, signifying a potential turning tide against the test-optional movement that gained traction during the pandemic.
Critics argue that prioritizing subjective criteria in college admissions can lead to academic disparities, while proponents of standardized testing assert that it offers a straightforward measure of competence.
The return to testing in Alabama shines a light on the need for educational institutions to prioritize academic merit—something that the Republican party has championed for years.
As other universities grapple with their admissions standards in an increasingly complex world, the University of Alabama's decision stands as a testament to the belief that academic performance should be the cornerstone of college admissions, not an afterthought.
This shift back to requiring standardized tests may not only benefit the students admitted but could also enhance the overall academic environment across campuses, ultimately equipping graduates for success in their future careers.
Sources:
campusreform.org
joehoft.com
cointelegraph.com
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