EducationAugust 25, 2026

How College Admissions Are Changing: Tests, Data, and AI

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Key Vocabulary

test-optional/tɛst ˈɒp.ʃən.əl/

A policy that lets students apply without SAT or ACT scores.

"This college is test-optional this year."

SAT/ˌɛs eɪ ˈtiː/

A standardized college entrance test used in the United States.

"He studied for the SAT last summer."

artificial intelligence/ˌɑːr.t̬əˈfɪʃ.əl ɪnˈtɛl.ə.dʒəns/

Computer systems that perform tasks that normally need human intelligence.

"The office uses artificial intelligence to sort applications."

Listening

How College Admissions Are Changing: Tests, Data, and AI

Many colleges changed their admissions rules after the Covid pandemic. In 2020, many schools made SAT or ACT optional so students could apply without test scores. This change helped students who could not take tests.

In 2025 and 2026 some colleges began to require tests again. Government officials also asked colleges for data about race and admissions. Colleges are also using artificial intelligence, or AI, to help read essays and speed up work. Some professors debate these changes and students worry. Many admissions offices say AI saves time but they still have human readers. Try to learn what each school asks for before you apply. You can ask an adviser for help.

112 words

Quiz

1. When did many schools make SAT or ACT optional?

2. Which tools are colleges using to help read essays?

3. What should you do before you apply?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you worry that tests affect who gets into the best schools? Why or why not?

Have you ever used an online tool to help with school work? What happened?

What do you do when you must choose between two schools?