The College Board announced yesterday that it will become more difficult for students to hide low SAT II subject test scores from college admissions offices.
The score choice option could be eliminated as early as fall 2002. The decision will not affect students whose scores currently are held in score choice.
The option was initiated in 1995 to give students the ability to hold scores on SAT II tests with which students were dissatisfied. The College Board's Guidance and Admission Assembly Council voted unanimously to remove the score choice option.
Proponents of score choice saw it as a safeguard for test-takers that had a bad day or for students that repeated the test after further coursework or preparation in the subject area.
However, a College Board examination revealed that score choice encouraged "gamesmanship" and favored wealthy students, who can afford to repeat the same tests until they receive a high score. Test fees run from $20 to $25 each.
"Students of certain income and racial backgrounds that have better access to college counseling tend to take more SAT IIs knowing that they can select their top three scores," said Bonnie Eissner, spokeswoman for Kaplan, a test-preparation company.
The College Board also cites problems with students who forget to release their scores from score choice, which can lead to incomplete admissions packages.
The University requires undergraduate applicants to submit three scores including the SAT II writing test, either of two SAT II math test scores and a third SAT II in a subject of the applicant's choice.
SAT II subject tests are a popular way for incoming University students to receive exemption from introductory-level college courses.
The option is especially popular in the College's foreign language departments, where a high score on the appropriate SAT II may exempt a student from the foreign language requirement. In many foreign language departments, however, the SAT II is not the single factor in student placement.
"It's just a benchmark," said Prof. Janet Kreuger, foreign language requirement coordinator for the German department. "If somebody feels they are not properly placed, they can talk to me and depending on how I assess the situation they can be moved. It's not set in stone"
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