College Officials and High-school Counselors Weigh Pros and Cons of National Tests

Debates between high school counselors and college enrollment officials continued at the National Association of College Admission Counseling's annual conference Thursday in regards to entrance exam standards into higher education institutions.

This year's annual conference in Baltimore will focus on ways for students to better prepare for standardized tests and a test-optional program including alternatives ways to get into colleges or universities other than taking the SAT or ACT tests.

Although counselors and enrollment officials may differ in their view of admission entrance exams, they share a common goal of higher education for students across the country.

"The sessions will include discussions of what can result from test-optional admission...as well as the viewpoint that while tests can't give you everything, they can give you something," said David A. Hawkins, NACAC's director of public policy.

For more answers about the current state of national standardized tests from Hawkins, visit The Chronicle for Higher Education website, chronicle.com.