Recruitment and enrollment  in higher education has been in large part dominated by standardized cognitive assessments. These include the scores of the SATs, ACTs, GMAT, and other exams that carry heavy weight in the admissions rubric in the eyes of enrollment leaders and can decide the future of potential students. 

It has been widely accepted that students with better scores on standardized tests perform better in school and have better grades. But research has shown that scores are strongly correlated to access to coaching and only weakly correlated to academic ability.

Studies have shown that under represented minority (URM) students suffer immensely in these categories. Generations of socioeconomic detriments have put these students at a systematic disadvantage; and many of the resources that would allow these candidates to break the cycle are out of reach (financially). 

However, the purpose of enrollment leaders is not to recruit the candidates with the best cognitive scores. It is to recruit the best fitting candidates for their institution…

Non-cognitive assessments quantify the qualitative (soft) skills of the candidates. These skills consist of a “range of attributes that pertain to behavior, attitude and other attributes well beyond cognitive ability.” Some skills that non-cognitive assessments measure such as decisiveness, accountability, self-determination, conscientiousness, and many more acts as a bridge between a student’s ability and their outcomes. Non-cognitive skills paint a more complete picture of a candidate, and help bridge the gap that standard assessments unknowingly build. 

Non-cognitive assessments provide benefits on both sides of the coin. For underrepresented students, they give the opportunity to showcase their abilities and positive qualities on a level playing field. For universities, they provide a resource that allows for a more exact and honest enrollment qualification; allowing schools to recruit a more diverse student population that accurately reflects the morals and beliefs of the school.

With diversity, inclusion and fairness at the forefront of enrollment and academic discussions, non-cognitive assessments serve as a modern solution for enrollment offices to meet and exceed their goals.

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