Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Clayborne Test Prep’s Executive Director, Lee Elberson, shared insights into the shifting role of standardized testing in college admissions on Morning News. 

Elberson highlighted the complexities parents and students face in the college application process, which has become more holistic over time. “Standardized testing during the pandemic was sort of put on pause,” Elberson explained. “Now colleges are saying, you know, actually standardized testing is a great benchmark for us to have because… if you and I take the exact same test, it’s a great way to benchmark us.” 

While testing can boost admissions chances, Elberson acknowledged that some students struggle with standardized formats. For such students, he emphasized the importance of focusing on other parts of the application. “If they have a very high GPA and they’re not a very good tester… let’s spend your time on other parts of your application,” Elberson advised.  

Elberson noted the growing competitiveness in admissions due to an increase in applications, driven by tools like the Common Application, which allows students to apply to multiple schools with ease. 

With standardized testing scores still playing a significant role in admissions, Elberson recommends that students who have the time and resources should consider taking the tests, as statistics show submitting a score can improve acceptance chances. However, he stressed the importance of telling a compelling story through essays and extracurriculars to stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. 

Listen here for the full conversation: