University of Washington eliminates standardized testing for students

The University of Washington has decided to eliminate standardized testing as a requirement for incoming students.

According to the university, “admissions officers have studied results and outcomes for several years and found standardized test scores have little correlation with success at the UW, particularly for Washington residents.”

UW hopes this change will allow applicants to spend less time studying for the standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT and more time on their high school curriculum.

“Ultimately, this decision is about access and student success,” said Joseph Janes, chair of the Faculty Senate and a professor in the Information School, in a press release. “The faculty, after careful and thoughtful consideration in partnership with our administration, have recognized that students’ potential achievement over four years or more of their university education can’t be measured by the result of one test on one day. And we are hopeful that this move will open doors to our university through which will come generations of magnificent students.”

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Seattle University had already made this decision on April 7, thus deeming standardized testing optional for their undergraduate applicants beginning Fall 2021.