“Our research shows standardized tests help us better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants, and also help us identify socioeconomically disadvantaged students who lack access to advanced coursework or other enrichment opportunities that would otherwise demonstrate their readiness for MIT.”
Test-optional got sold as the equity move. MIT ran the numbers and found the opposite. A poor kid at a school with no AP classes can’t show readiness through coursework, but can post a strong math score. Dropping the test mostly helped applicants with polished essays and expensive extracurriculars.