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The University of Chicago stunned many in the admissions world this month when it announced that it was dropping its requirement that applicants take the SAT or ACT. Chicago's prestige and reputation for rigor attracted more attention to its decision than is typical for such announcements.
In the world of admissions, testing requirements still have support, but more colleges go test optional every year. But what does the public think?
The day after the Chicago announcement, YouGov polled the public on the question. With responses from a representative sample of 5,757 adults in the United States, the polling service found that only a minority of Americans favor the policy of colleges requiring standardized admissions tests.
Americans' Views on Standardized Admissions Tests
| Colleges should require tests | 36% |
| Colleges should make the tests optional | 27% |
| Colleges should not consider tests | 15% |
| Not sure | 22% |
Within those results, YouGov found notable differences by party identification.
While adults nationally and Democrats are somewhat split on these issues, Republicans are solidly in favor of requiring tests.
Americans' Views on Standardized Admissions Tests, by Party
| Democrats | Republicans | |
| Colleges should require tests | 26% | 56% |
| Colleges should make the tests optional | 35% | 18% |
| Colleges should not consider tests | 18% | 10% |
| Not sure | 21% | 16% |
The poll also found differences by age and gender.
While 19 percent of people between 18 and 24 thought the tests should be required, the number grew to 25 percent for those 25-34, to 31 percent for those 35-44, to 39 percent for those 45-54, and 48 percent for those 55 and older.
Men (41 percent) were more likely than women (31 percent) to say that standardized tests should be required.
