When the College Board announced its plan three years ago to add an extemporaneous essay to the traditional SAT format of multiple-choice questions, many observers were elated. Supporters celebrated ...

Colleges are quickly dropping their SAT and ACT essay requirements for applicants, with education experts saying the compositions “have never been of much use” and the institutions suggesting that ...

We may be about to test that hypothesis. Last week the Harvard University admissions office announced that applicants will no longer be required to submit the essay portion from the SAT or ACT.