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Conor Sen

Standardized Tests May Go, But Bias Will Remain

Rich kids have an advantage on college admissions. But at least testing gives other kids a shot.

Pencils down.

Pencils down.

Source: Digital Vision, via Getty Images

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This week, several private schools in and around Washington, D.C., announced that they were dropping Advanced Placement classes from their curriculum. This is the latest case of elite educational institutions moving away from standardized testing.

While there are plenty of reasonable criticisms about an academic culture revolving around standardized tests, eliminating them doesn't eliminate all the concerns. There will be winners and losers as testing is de-emphasized. Expect rich kids to have a new leg up on students from more modest financial backgrounds.