The criteria which constitute merit is can be more subjective or more objective depending on the domain. The same with how those criteria are assessed. But the idea that more subjective and more objective measurements are equivalent is one of the characteristics of postmodern marxism.

Test scores are more objective than "personality" assessments, assuming all applicants are given the same tests. The gay commies want to move everything away from measurements that everyone can see to those entirely determined by their judgement, because that means they have absolute power over the outcomes.