Optional ACT and SAT?

Our discussion in class regarding the ACT and SAT got me thinking about why we have these tests and what would happen if we didn't put so much pressure on students to take them. I personally do not believe a score on one of these tests is a true representation of your intelligence or that a high score should be the main thing colleges look for when they are deciding who to accept. Supporters of the tests might say that the ACT and SAT are two very different tests so students can have multiple chances to receive a high score, but I see this as a huge problem. There are not just two different learning categories that students can fit under in the world. Every person is different and we all have different learning styles, approaches and ways of thinking. Also, students who come from wealthier families and schools have more access to resources needed to get a high score. Taking a test itself costs money, but if you want to retake the test to do better, buy a practice book, or take a class, the money starts to add up. The focus for getting into college is spending more time, energy, and money on getting higher scores as opposed to personalizing applications and writing essays. Many colleges do look at recommendation letters, activities, GPA, essays, and interviews, but what if all colleges didn't require test scores at all? I found an article that was written this month about colleges who aren't requiring test scores in their application. The article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roger-ochoa/applying-to-college-no-sa_b_3701210.html) quotes the New York times saying "test anxiety is a real phenomenon and that those tense hours in a stale-aired gymnasium aren't reflective of a person's work ethic or aptitude." I strongly agree with the author of the article and continued reading about something I had not thought of before. If every school were to make SAT and ACT test scores optional on the application, the application process would be extremely difficult. The administration office would need to learn more about the students though essays, interviews, letters, GPA, and activities. This would take many more hours and make colleges more competitive than they already are. I'm not sure what the perfect solution is to this testing problem, but we need to think of a way to take away the pressure, lower costs, personalize the applications, and keep the process moving quickly.