For the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of colleges with test-optional admissions policies. Initially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many colleges have extended or permanently kept their test-optional policies for future admissions cycles.
That means rising seniors applying to colleges with test-optional policies will have the option to submit SAT/ACT scores as part of their college applications or apply without them.
But testing policies do not look the same at every college, and it isn’t always easy to decide whether or not an applicant should submit their scores or not.
Let’s look at the differences in the 3 most common testing policies: test optional, test flexible, and test blind. Then, we’ll discuss what students need to know about applying with and without test scores.
WHAT IS TEST OPTIONAL AND WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?
Test optional means that a college has decided that standardized test scores are not required for a student to be admitted to their school. Students have the choice to send scores if they have them, but they will not be penalized if they choose not to include test scores as part of their application.
More than 1,000 colleges have adopted a test-optional policy for at least the upcoming year. Even though many of these colleges have had test-optional policies in place for multiple admissions cycles, we still hear students and families wondering: Does test optional really means test optional?
That said, make sure you fully understand a college’s test-optional policy before you apply. For example, some colleges are test optional for admission purposes, but students may be required to submit a test score before they enroll. Other colleges with test-optional admission policies may still use test scores for academic scholarships or honors colleges.
It’s important to stay on top of any changes in policy as colleges update their application requirements.
WHAT IS TEST FLEXIBLE?
Test flexible means that the school has placed some conditions on whether or not a student will need to submit test scores. Some test-flexible colleges require additional materials like AP/IB scores or a graded paper from students who did not submit an SAT or ACT score. Other test-flexible colleges may have a test-optional policy but only for students meeting certain GPA requirements.
Each year, we see some colleges alter their policies from the year. Because each college may have different requirements to meet, it is important to understand each college’s testing policy before applying.
WHAT IS TEST BLIND?
If a college is test blind, they do not use test scores in the decision-making process. Test optional and test blind are not the same thing.
If a college is test optional, a student will not be penalized for not submitting scores, but another student with strong test scores can and should submit those scores to strengthen their overall application. A test-blind college is not considering any test scores at all as part of a student’s application - even if they send in a perfect score.
Few colleges have adopted true test-blind policies - the major exception being the University of California system.
IF I DON'T SEND MY TEST SCORES, HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE EVALUATED?
It’s important to reiterate that students will not be penalized or disadvantaged if they do not submit test scores to a college with a test-optional policy. But without test scores as part of a student’s application, how will they be evaluated?
Colleges are going to be looking closer at other parts of the application. As always, a student’s grades and course rigor are going to be major factors. Letters of recommendation from teachers may also carry more weight as they provide a look at a student’s performance in the classroom. Essays will be read more closely.
Some colleges may add an additional piece to the application for students not submitting test scores like an additional essay for students applying without a test score.
HOW DO I APPLY TEST OPTIONAL?
If you want your application to be considered without a test score, do not self-report your test scores on the application or send an official score report to that college.
Some colleges may ask in their application if you want your application to be read with or without a test score, so make sure to choose the correct option for you. However, not all colleges asked this as part of the application process last year, and the question was asked after submission, so it’s important to set up an online portal with each college after you’ve submitted your application to see if there are any additional requirements.
WHAT DO I DO IF I WANT TO APPLY TEST OPTIONAL TO SOME SCHOOLS BUT SEND MY TEST SCORE TO OTHERS?
On the Common App, it’s easy to self-report your test scores to different colleges and withhold it from others. In the testing section, simply click that you have no test scores to report if you are submitting a test-optional application. Any test scores you have entered won’t be deleted from your account and will reappear if you click “yes,” but they will not be sent with any application where “no” is clicked. Make sure you know which colleges you want to send test scores to and which ones you don’t, and double-check your answers in this section each time you are ready to submit.
SO… SHOULD I APPLY TEST OPTIONAL?
Have you been able to test at all?
Will you have the opportunity to test again?
Do you feel like your test score reflects your academic abilities?
Does your test score fall in the middle 50% of test scores for that college?
Are you required to submit test scores for honors colleges, merit aid, or any other programs?
If you’re answering “no” to these questions and the colleges on your list have test-optional policies, don’t let standardized testing add extra stress to the college admissions process. Instead, work hard on your essays - even the optional ones, assemble a team of recommenders who can speak to your strengths in and out of the classroom, and focus on strengthening the other parts of your application.