Choices for college testing have ups and downs

The SAT, the bane of many a high school student, might soon become a thing of the past.

Bryn Mawr College, New York University and Furman University are allowing students to choose between testing options: taking three Advanced Placement test scores, three SAT subject test scores (tests such as the AP tests, in a specific subject), taking the SAT test with two SAT subject tests or AP scores, or even two International Baccalaureate tests.

Giving students a choice in testing is an amazing change.

Allowing students to submit testing information based on what they actually learned in class would be a much better predictor of college success.

High scores on some of these other options, particularly on the SAT subject tests and AP tests, could also help validate the difficulty of the classes that one is taking in high school.

On the down side, more testing possibilities could lead to an increase in testing. By allowing students to have options in what test they submit, some students might attempt to take tests of multiple options -- increasing testing frenzy even more.

Another potential problem is one of equivalency. Will a 2400 on the SAT be considered equal to three fives on an AP test? Will the colleges cause students to partake in a guessing game of which option they should choose in order to impress admissions officers?

Still, the mere fact that colleges are broadening the testing requirements shows that they are realizing that one size doesn't fit all in terms of testing, and that the SAT is becoming, less important in college admissions, especially compared to course schedule rigor and grades.

John Klement is a rising senior at Greenbrier High School.