History of College Standardized Tests

College standardized tests were introduced in the early 20th century with connections to the progressive movement in the United States, which had elements of racism and eugenics. The initial designers of the test expected that Anglo-Saxons would outperform Jews and Southern Europeans, reflecting the era's debate on American immigration policy and the belief that certain ethnicities would not perform as well. However, some early advocates at Harvard aimed to diversify the student population by using standardized tests to identify talented individuals outside of the traditional elite pool of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants. Therefore, the history of college standardized tests reflects a mixed intention, with some viewing it as a means to restrict opportunity and others as a way to expand it.