What if we lived in a world where the GRE, GMAT, and SAT were no longer the only way to internationalise your academic future? Where your dreams of studying abroad are not tied to a few hours of high-pressure test-taking?
For decades, these standardised tests have been serving as the primary metric for evaluating the academic potential of their applicants. Millions of Indian students have invested countless hours and heavy financial resources in preparing for exams.
However, the foundation that supported this system is cracking. Universities across the globe are reevaluating their reliance on these exams. The admissions landscape is about to change into a more holistic, AI-powered, and flexible system that looks at your unique journey.
The GRE, GMAT, and SAT were developed to test all applicants fairly, without any bias.
- The SAT began in 1926, based on the Army Alpha test used in World War I to evaluate soldiers. It was designed to measure reasoning and verbal skills apart from their school grades, in order to identify students who are ready for college, regardless of what their background might look like.(College Board).
- The GRE was started in 1949 by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to give graduate schools a consistent way to compare students from different education systems.
- The GMAT, established in the 1950s, was specifically designed for business school admissions, focusing on analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal skills.
For Indian students, these tests became more than assessments — they turned into cultural phenomena. The pressure to secure top scores fed a booming coaching industry worth billions, with centres in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore churning out tens of thousands of aspirants every year.
Why Did These Tests Dominate?
- Standardisation: They gave universities a clear, uniform method to evaluate students from different schools and education systems.
- Predictive Value: Colleges and universities believed these tests could reliably show how well a student might perform in their studies and whether or not they were likely to complete their degree.
- Credentialism: High scores became symbolic of intelligence and diligence, thus becoming the only factor to get into good universities and for scholarships to be awarded.
Yet, critiques grew louder. Studies have revealed that standardised tests often favour students who can afford expensive coaching, introducing socioeconomic biases (FairTest.org). They also failed to test some of the most essential skills required to succeed in today’s world, like creativity, leadership, or real-world problem-solving skills.
Despite these issues, they continued to be used pretty much everywhere until recent global changes.
The Pandemic Catalyst: Rise of Test-Optional Admissions
The COVID-19 pandemic flipped the academic admissions world upside down. With test centres closed due to public health risk, universities were forced either to postpone admissions or rethink their traditional policies.
The solution? Test-optional admissions.
This allowed students to apply without submitting their GRE, GMAT, or SAT scores.
According to the National Centre for Education Statistics, by the Fall of 2025, over 80% of four-year U.S. colleges will have adopted this approach.
Why did so many institutions shift?
- Accessibility: During lockdowns, many students couldn’t reach coaching centres or get the study support they needed, as travel was completely restricted. With entrance exams no longer being in the picture, students didn’t have to depend only on costly coaching to try for their dream college.
- Holistic Admissions: Institutions have also changed their admissions process to include essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities.
Even though this policy change was experimental, early results have been showing positive signs.
Institutions adopting test-optional policies have reported a more diverse applicant pool. For example, the University of California system saw a 17% increase in applications from minority students after dropping its test requirements, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Andrea Felder, Assistant Vice Provost at American University, highlights this cultural shift: admissions “have moved from test scores as a gatekeeper to a more holistic review of an applicant’s full story” (American University Press Release, 2024).
This means that your projects, personal situations that you had to overcome, and places where you had leadership roles are valued just as much as your academic scores.
These changes can affect the Indian students, as the heavy focus on marks have shifted, resulting in the fall of coaching centres as students now have to focus not only on their marks, but also extracurriculars and other requirements.
AI and Admissions
A 2023 survey from Liaison International found that 80% of colleges planned to integrate AI tools in their admissions process by 2024.
Why? Because AI can:
- Use technology to go through application reviews, helping speed up the processing of thousands of submissions.
- Analyse qualitative data, such as essays, recommendations, and interview responses, to identify traits like leadership, creativity, and resilience.
- Spot hidden biases in human decisions and highlight inconsistencies to help ensure fairer results.
Some universities have begun using AI-powered platforms to assess the tone, coherence, and originality of personal statements, providing admissions officers with deeper insights beyond just test scores (Inside Higher Ed, 2023).
That being said, AI isn’t flawless. The concern of biases being encoded into the algorithm is very present. AI tools also raise concerns about data privacy and transparency. Students worry about how their data is processed and whether AI decisions can be appealed or reviewed.
However, even with these problems, AI will still help process applications effectively and much faster than any human ever could.
Alternatives
Some popular alternatives include:
- Duolingo English Test: This is an affordable and easily accessible online English proficiency test accepted by over 3,000 institutions worldwide (Duolingo, 2025). This helps students who have a smaller budget prove their English proficiency without having to travel to test centres.
- AI-Integrated Interviews: AI-based video interviews evaluate communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and confidence in real-time, enabling students to showcase their personalities and thought processes.
- Holistic Reviews: Personal essays, portfolios, community involvement, and leadership experiences take centre stage — helping admissions see the “whole you.” Students who can now leverage diverse experiences and skills beyond a single test score.
Implications for Indian Students: Adapting to the New Landscape
For Indian students, this change in policy will require them to strategically plan their future.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Build a strong profile: Admissions officers want to see more than scores. They want to know who you are on a personal level, not just how much you scored on a test – your leadership qualities, creativity, societal impact, and extracurricular activities.
- Build personal and social abilities: Building personal and social abilities, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, is essential in today’s world, where AI and global challenges are shaping what the world will look like in the future.
- Leverage new learning avenues: Earning micro-credentials and digital badges in areas like coding, design thinking, or languages can showcase your initiative.
- Parental support: Many Indian parents still believe that a higher test score is the only thing that leads to success. However, as the admissions scene is changing, it is crucial to understand that academics is not the only important thing, and their children also need to get involved in extracurriculars – whether they are sports, music, or any other field.
This shift also encourages students to take part in real, meaningful experiences instead of just adding impressive-sounding items to their resumes. Holistic admissions now focus on true personal growth and actual contributions.
Success isn’t just about getting high scores anymore — it’s about showing the admissions office who you are and what you’re capable of.
Embracing the Future of Admissions
The stronghold of the GRE, GMAT, and SAT in global admissions is quickly disappearing. In their place, we’re seeing admissions become more holistic, flexible, and inclusive—driven by AI and a variety of new evaluation methods.
For Indian students, this is a moment of opportunity. You can now present your unique talents, stories, and skills in ways that tests never allowed. The future of study abroad admissions is very bright for those who adapt, innovate, and embrace change.
The test-optional approach is becoming more common. AI and new types of assessments are changing how admissions decisions are made, which means that you are entering a completely new stage in the admissions process.
That being said, this does not allow you to completely fail your test scores. Even though test scores are not mandatory to get in in most places, they still are important to test your academic ability and if you do get a good score, it can enhance your profile tremendously, which in turn increases your chances of admission, so do not take it lightly.
Prepare carefully. Your success now depends on showing your abilities in many different ways, not just passing one exam.Good Luck!
Written By Manjul Kathotia.