IU Northwest waives standardized testing requirement

GARY, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – Indiana University Northwest has announced that standardized test scores will be waived for applicants to be considered for fall 2020 admission. In response to SAT and ACT exams being canceled for the immediate future due to the novel coronavirus, admission to the university will instead be based on a variety of other factors, including high school curriculum and cumulative grade point average.

The university says the decision makes it easier for students impacted by test cancellations and test site closings to apply for admission. The practice will be similar to the test-optional admission policy that is already approved for fall 2021 admission.

In January, undergraduate admissions policy changes were made official, allowing for test-optional admissions for the fall 2021 semester.

“Students at every level, and especially our high school seniors, are reeling from the changes that the coronavirus pandemic has forced upon us,” said associate professor of Economics Micah Pollak. “For many students, future plans are suddenly being re-evaluated. We want to do what we can to extend some understanding as we work to enroll students for the fall semester. Waiving the standardized testing requirement for the upcoming academic year is one thing we can do to eliminate an obstacle for our prospective students.

IU Northwest says waiving the requirement for fall 2020 admissions was an easy decision to help alleviate anxiety brought on by the current state of affairs.