When the pandemic hit in 2020 and forced SAT and ACT cancellations across the country, colleges were largely forced to adopt test-optional policies so that students wouldn’t be penalized for not being able to take an SAT or ACT. This shook up a long-standing practice of requiring standardized test scores as one component of the college application. While having an option to include the test scores only if it is a positive on a student’s application has been a welcome change for many, it has also created a lot of confusion about whether to take the SAT or ACT and whether to apply test optional when given the choice. Let’s dive into some of the wording of test-optional policies.
“Do I still need to take the SAT or ACT?”
With the various standardized testing policies, this is a much more confusing question to answer than pre-2020. First, to what schools are you planning to apply? Do any of those colleges require SAT or ACT scores? If so, you must take the SAT or ACT and you need to prepare for the test. Some common colleges and universities that require the SAT include MIT, Harvard, the University of Tennessee, Georgetown, Cornell, Caltech, and the University of Florida. Be sure to check any exceptions to applying test optional, such as for specific programs, like nursing; honors college admissions; any additional requirements to apply test optional, such as a minimum GPA; and scholarship consideration.
For example, Hampton University is test optional only for students with an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.6+ or who rank in the top 10 percent of their class. Also, students who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarships must submit SAT or ACT scores. If you are a top student in your class, why would you ever NOT want to be considered for scholarships?! I would tell any student applying to Hampton University to submit a solid SAT or ACT score.
“But do colleges really want to see SAT or ACT scores, even if they say they are test optional?”
Reading between the lines of various test-optional policies has been the most frustrating part of this shift. I encourage students to not only look at whether a school is test-optional but also the language that is used in the test-optional policy. For example, this is the language on the “Test-Optional Policy” page on Boston College’s website:
“At Boston College, internal research has shown that test scores, when used alongside other factors such as grades, curriculum rigor, writing, co-curricular involvement, and recommendations, add measurable value in predicting academic success. For this reason, students who complete the SAT or ACT are encouraged to submit their scores.
During the 2024-25 application cycle, approximately 75% of admitted students submitted SAT and/or ACT test scores.”
When I read this policy, I read it as “Yes, we are test-optional but we really, really want to see your scores.”
Now, let’s look at the opposite language. This is the “Test-Optional Policy” on Temple University’s website:
“We know standardized test scores aren’t always a reflection of your accomplishments. Our test-optional application path is part of our commitment to providing more opportunities for all dedicated, motivated students to access a high-quality undergraduate experience—no matter how you learn or how your achievements are represented. That’s why we take a holistic approach when reviewing all applications, to fully capture the individual experiences, extracurricular interests and academic coursework of each student.”
When I read this policy and couple it with the fact that only 17% of admitted students in 2024-25 submitted SAT or ACT scores, I read it as “We truly are test-optional and are looking for other qualities than a strong test score in our students.”
Will it “look bad” if I don’t send SAT or ACT scores?
This is the million-dollar question! When colleges have published acceptance rates of students that applied with SAT/ACT scores compared to acceptance rates of students that applied test-optional, the acceptance rates of students with SAT/ACT scores have been higher than those of test-optional applications. Were those applicants just stronger overall, or did the SAT/ACT score give an extra boost to the application?
My advice is the same as it has always been: work hard to have the strongest application that you can. What does your application look like as a whole? Do you have a high GPA, rigorous coursework, stellar essays, and captain of the varsity basketball team but below-average SAT/ACT scores? If you have a strong application overall, you can feel comfortable applying test optional. Did you have some bumps in your academic career and end with a lower GPA than you’d like? Showing a high SAT or ACT score can help show your college readiness. If you have a strong SAT or ACT score, I’d suggest applying with scores to have another positive data point for admissions.
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