If you’ve been hearing the term ‘test-optional’ a lot, you’re not alone. Many colleges now give applicants the choice of whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. But what does that actually mean for your application and should you still take the test?
1. What Test-Optional Really Means
A test-optional school does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. You can still submit them if you think they’ll help your application, but you won’t be penalized for leaving them out.
2. Why Schools Went Test-Optional
Colleges adopted test-optional policies to create more equity. Standardized tests don’t always reflect a student’s potential, and they can disadvantage those without access to prep resources.
3. Who Should Submit Scores?
If your scores are strong compared to the college’s average, it might help to submit them. If not, it may be better to focus on the rest of your application: grades, essays, dual enrollment classes and extracurriculars.
To see how scores stack up at different schools, read How Colleges Use Test Scores in Admissions.
4. What If You Don’t Submit Scores?
Your application will be evaluated based on everything else: GPA, course rigor, recommendations, personal statement, and activities. Plenty of students are accepted to competitive schools without ever submitting a test score.
5. Exceptions and Special Cases
Some majors, honors colleges, or scholarship programs may still require test scores, even at test-optional schools. Always read the fine print.
6. Alternatives: Test-Blind and Test-Flexible
A few schools are test-blind, meaning they won’t look at scores at all, even if you submit them. Others are test-flexible, letting you submit AP scores or IB results instead.
Need help deciding whether to test? Start with Should You Take the SAT or ACT (or Neither)?