Really interesting article: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-02/uc-sat-test-optional. My take on test-optional admissions offices is that it ONLY works if a majority of students take advantage of that policy. Basically, if you don’t eliminate the value, and therefore significance, of the tests, then they don’t go away—they’re just slightly less valuable than they were before.
I am no apologist for SAT or ACT. I love helping students get ready for them. I can just say from being in the trenches with students and the test, that so long as they can provide an edge in admissions, students will continue to prep for them and take them, by the millions. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to you to decide. All I am saying is that, if it’ll help students get into college, they will take advantage!