The “test optional” movement has won its most high-profile convert in the University of Chicago， which announced last month that applicants to the school would no longer need to submit ACT or SAT scores.The University of Chicago has become known in recent years for its commitment to academic rigor and resistance to indulgence and group think.But in this decision it has increased the momentum of a fashionable but damaging ideology overtaking elite education： That standardized metrics of any kind are discriminatory and elitist， and that each student is so special that he or she can only be evaluated according to uniquely personal traits.

　　No test is perfect， but the ACT and SAT are powerful predictors of college performance.As psychology professors Nathan Kuncel and Paul Sackett wrote： “Longitudinal research demonstrates that standardized tests predict not just grades all the way through college but also the level of courses a student is likely to take.”

　　So what's behind the campaign against standardized assessments? A University of Chicago spokeswoman says the test “may not reflect the full accomplishments and academic promise of a student.” This is true but could be said of any single part of a college application， including high school grades.

　　Grades may be the next metric to fall out of fashion.Last year a coalition of private high schools joined a campaign to eliminate grades on grounds that “a GPA shaves off a lot of humanity，” in the words of one prep-school principal.One wonders if the aim isn't really to shield well-off students from rigorous assessments so they can skate by on testimonials and extracurriculars alone.

　　The University of Chicago also says eliminating testing requirements “levels the playing field”， for “under-resourced and first-generation students，” who may not have access to test-preparation courses.But contrary to myth， most such courses produce only modest gains.And last year Khan Academy and the College Board unveiled a free course they say boosts SAT scores for students at all income levels.By contrast， low-income students are unlikely to have access to exotic summer internships or other activities that impress admissions offices.

　　The case that test-optional policies increase diversity is mostly speculative.But they do have their uses in the race-in-admissions game： Schools accused of discriminating against Asian-Americans， who tend to score higher， may find them a convenient way to conceal their use of racial preferences.

　　But the momentum of the “test optional” campaign is not a win for diversity in higher education.It looks more like an opportunity for universities to game the college-ranking system， If test scores are optional， only high-scoring students will submit them and this will make schools like Chicago rank higher.It might also lower their acceptance rates because more students will apply.Praise for “increasing access” is undeserved.

　　Which of the following is true of the “test optional” movement?

　　A.It de-emphasizes the role of standardized tests scores in college entry.

　　B.It advocates rigorous academic assessments for college students.

　　C.It takes personal traits as the sole criterion for college admission.

　　D.It proposes using standardized tests as predictors of college performance.

　　参考答案：A

　　The coalition of private high schools believes that grades______.

　　A.fail to evaluate students comprehensively

　　B.still matter most for college application

　　C.can tell the academic promise of a student

　　D.create a great barrier to well-off students

　　参考答案：A

　　The University of Chicago claims that eliminating test requirements can help under-resourced students______.

　　A.get more involved in extracurricular activities

　　B.get equal opportunities to enter universities

　　C.obtain access to test preparation courses

　　D.obtain impressive summer internships

　　参考答案：B

　　The author believes that the “test-opticnal” campaign may most benefit______.

　　A.high-scoring students

　　B.under-resourced minorities

　　C.racially-prejudiced colleges

　　D.higher-ranked universities

　　参考答案：C

　　Which of the following would be the best title for the text?

　　A.What Traits Does the University of Chicago Look for in Its Applicants?

　　B.Why Standardized Testing and Grading Are Becoming Out-of-Date?

　　C.What's Behind the Move to Drop ACT/SAT Scores for College Entry?

　　D.How Low-income Students Can Win in the College Admission Game?

　　参考答案：C

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