While proponents of test-optional policies argue that standardized testing benefits the wealthy — often citing expensive test preparation services and tutors — the reality is that every aspect of the college application process is manipulated by wealth. Essays can be professionally edited; extracurricular profiles can be embellished and financed. Yet the SAT and ACT provide a unique element of fairness: all students take the tests under the same conditions and are evaluated by the same standards, arguably making this portion of the admissions process the most equitable. Dartmouth’s study found that extracurriculars and essays — factors weighed heavily in test-optional admissions — had no predictive value on future academic success and disproportionately benefited wealthy students.