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Harvard is mandating SATs again

Harvard made waves today after announcing that students applying for fall 2025 admission will once again need to take the SAT or ACT, joining Ivy League peers Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown.

In 2020, with test centers closed during the pandemic, many universities, including Harvard, waived standardized test requirements for applicants.

However, research has shown that standardized test scores are one of the best tools for identifying promising students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they are less susceptible to biases than letters and essays. As the "return to testing" trend gains more momentum, it will be interesting to see if the rest of the Ivy League follows suit.

However, research has shown that standardized test scores are one of the best tools for identifying promising students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, as they are less susceptible to biases than letters and essays. As the "return to testing" trend gains more momentum, it will be interesting to see if the rest of the Ivy League follows suit.

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Netflix launches gaming app for children 8 and under

Netflix on Monday launched Netflix Playground, a new stand-alone gaming app aimed at kids 8 and under.

The app promises “no ads, in-app purchases, or extra fees” and is included with all memberships. At launch, it includes games featuring “Peppa Pig,” “Storybots,” and “Sesame Street.”

Netflix began adjusting its gaming strategy in 2024, closing its large AAA studio. Last year, the streamer began focusing more on multiplayer party and family-friendly games.

Late last month, Netflix quietly raised its prices for the fourth time since 2022.

Netflix began adjusting its gaming strategy in 2024, closing its large AAA studio. Last year, the streamer began focusing more on multiplayer party and family-friendly games.

Late last month, Netflix quietly raised its prices for the fourth time since 2022.

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“Super Mario Galaxy Movie” delivers holiday weekend records for theater chains

Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” cleared an estimated $372.5 million globally in its opening five-day weekend, marking another successful foray into theaters for Nintendo.

Both AMC and Cinemark on Monday announced that the movie — along with continued popularity for titles like “Project Hail Mary” and “Hoppers” — propelled them to record-breaking Easter weekends.

According to AMC, the Yoshi popcorn bucket has pushed “Mario Galaxy” into the second-best merchandising program ever for the theater chain, behind only Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film. According to Cinemark, Mario-themed “glitter popcorn” and other food items tied to the title have already resulted in the “most successful merchandise program Cinemark has ever delivered for a single title.”

AMC and Cinemark shares climbed in early trading on Monday.

“Mario Galaxy” pulled in $190.1 million domestically over the five-day weekend, below the first film’s $204 million (it was also released over the Easter weekend in 2023), but still near the top of the best holiday box office performances ever.

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