George Washington University is dropping the standardized testing as an admissions requirement.

The Statesman writes:

Is optional standardized testing improving diversity on campuses?

College-entry exams have been a staple in the college admissions process.

But it hasn’t always been that way, and their future seems uncertain as more selective colleges try to improve diversity by making those exams optional.

Starting today, standardized test scores wouldn’t be required from most undergraduate applicants at George Washington University. The policy is meant to “broaden access for … students of color, first-generation students and students from low-income households.” (Video via George Washington University) The university is part of a trend in college admissions to go test-optional or test-flexible.

Bob Schaeffer of FairTest, a non-profit that advocates for test-optional admissions, listed some of the reasons colleges and universities are making the switch.

“There’s been lots of research done on what happens when you drop SAT and ACT requirements in the admissions process and quite uniformly, schools find no dilution of their academic talent, but are at at a significant increase in diversity of all sorts. Race, gender, income, academic interest. … By getting rid of the requirements they open the door to kids who are otherwise very talented and can succeed in college if given the chance,” Schaeffer said.