Test‑Driven Meritocracy Erodes Creativity

Heavy reliance on standardized tests and 'grind' study cultures selects for short‑term test performance rather than broad intellectual curiosity, rewarding time‑intensive cramming (often concentrated among immigrant communities) and producing graduates who are high scorers but potentially less creative or innovative. That dynamic reshapes elite admissions, fuels demographic backlash, and reframes debates about what 'merit' should mean. — If true, this reframes admissions policy from a narrow metric fight (tests vs DEI) to a deeper question about what skills universities should reward and how selection shapes the future leadership pipeline.