50. The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing with Nicholas Lemann

In this episode of Higher Ed Spotlight, we speak with Nicholas Lemann, professor of journalism at Columbia University, about his latest book, Higher Admissions: The Rise, Decline, and Return of Standardized Testing.

Twenty-five years after his seminal work, The Big Test, Lemann revisits the role of standardized testing in college admissions during a pivotal moment in higher education.  With debates reigniting around the SAT—particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning affirmative action and the reinstatement of the test by some colleges—Lemann explores the SAT’s history in shaping the elite academic institutions, and its broader impact on student access to higher education. Lemann also considers the value of standardized scores and the potential move towards evaluating students through curriculum-based mastery.

Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.