I have noticed that several selective, great schools (Columbia & Pomona, for example) have stopped requiring SAT Subject Tests if a student decides to submit the SAT. Are standardized tests generally becoming less important at these schools, and at top schools in general? It just seems like this may be the case.
It is true that these schools don’t require SAT Subject Test scores, but that is not evidence that other standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are becoming less important; you’re using a non sequitur. Top schools still use these SAT and ACT scores to initially scan and place applicants based on performance. However, the transition to a holistic approach does mean the SAT and ACT test scores play a smaller role in the process. SAT Subject Test scores are completely different. Colleges which don’t require them don’t really look at them. Colleges which do require them use them as a representation of your actual competency in core areas that they focus on. In this sense, SAT Subject Tests are very important to some schools and not important at all to other schools. See the difference between SAT Subject Tests and SAT/ACT score trends? 