Taking a college admissions test has long been a common practice in the U.S. Your parents – or maybe even your grandparents – are likely to share stories about their experiences with the ACT or SAT. Today standardized college admission testing has changed. You are part of a new era of test-optional admissions that might leave you feeling confused or uncertain. Dive into this blog as we unpack test optional admission policies and help you understand the right testing choice for you.
Generally, test-optional college admissions policies mean that the college lets you decide if you share an ACT or SAT test score on your college application. This means a student can elect to take the ACT and NOT share their score, or they can choose not to take a college admissions test altogether.
However, not all “test-optional” admissions policies are the same. Some universities require you to provide a test score if your GPA is under a certain number. Other colleges may require you to provide a score if you are applying to certain majors. Others may require score submissions for you to qualify for certain scholarships or financial aid benefits. It’s important for students and parents to research what test optional means at the colleges or universities they are applying to. There isn’t a universal definition or standard for test-optional admissions.
The choice to take a standardized admissions test is a highly personal one. You should consider your college and career goals and have a sound understanding of the test-optional policies at the schools where you plan to apply.
However, you should also consider that taking a standardized admissions test allows you to be prepared should you need the scores for admission, scholarships, course placement, and more. Also, you are in the driver’s seat when it comes to reporting your scores. You can always elect to report – or not report – your scores based on your results.
Many students tell us that standardized tests are a part of college and career paths. If you want to be a lawyer – you take an exam. If you want to be a doctor – you take an exam. Many employers require basic tests or credentials for employment purposes. Use this opportunity to practice what it's like to prepare for and take a standardized test.
When researching test-optional policies at your choice schools, be sure to get answers to the following questions:
How much weight is given to specific components of my application [i.e. GPA, test scores (if submitted), course load and rigor of courses taken, letters of recommendation, personal statements/essays, high school profile, portfolios, extracurricular activities, work experience, resume, etc.]?
How are scholarships and financial aid awarded? Is the process different for students who submit test scores and those who do not submit test scores?
Without test scores, how do I place into appropriate levels of math, English, science, etc.?
What is your acceptance rate of students who submit test scores compared to those who don’t submit?
Is demonstrated interest considered in the admission process? How can I best demonstrate my interest in your college?
Are you test optional or test blind? If I submit my scores, will they be considered as part of my application?
Before the COVID–19 pandemic and steadily increasing, many universities and colleges went test–optional, allowing students to elect whether to submit test scores when applying to college. This response was primarily driven by students being unable to test and obtain scores for reporting. By not requiring scores, it reduced the burden on the students applying to college during the height of the pandemic. Some colleges were experimenting with test-optional policies before the pandemic to remove barriers to application submission. These universities cited holistic admissions as not necessarily requiring a standardized test score to evaluate students for acceptance. As the pandemic has lifted, some universities have opted to stay test-optional while others are reverting to requiring test scores. It’s important for students to know where they want to apply to college and to research the admissions policies thoroughly – especially since many colleges have updated their policies in the past year. Check out the Admissions website for your college(s) of choice to understand their application policies.
Check out our website to learn more about test-optional admissions.