To be fair, qualifications have not been lowered across the board. You need considerably higher scores on the Explore and on the SAT now. For example, the Minimum SAT scores went up some a few years back and then the last change in 2016 went from requiring just one to two out of three (Math, CR, Composite) SAT scores. In fact, it is now easier to qualify for Davidson Academy than for Davidson Young Scholars on the SAT because you only need one qualifying SAT score for the academy versus two for DYS and the minimums are the same.
I think the focus has shifted away from achievement and more towards ability. If that's the case, it explains why an applicant no longer needs a qualifying achievement test score if they have a qualifying IQ index but now need
two indices from achievement tests like the WIAT or WJ if there is not a qualifying IQ index.
