In recent years, the college admissions process has seen a significant shift towards test-optional policies, a change accelerated by the pandemic and its aftermath. This evolution presents a new set of considerations for students and families navigating the journey to higher education, and requires a more in-depth college application strategy than ever before.
While the option to apply without standardized test scores offers flexibility, it also introduces a new layer of detail worth consideration at individual institutions. Understanding the nuances of test-optional policies and how they fit into your overall application strategy is crucial in making solid college application decisions. This article explores the key factors to consider when deciding whether to submit your test scores to colleges.
At Marks Education, we understand that every student is different and therefore every application is different, which means we couldn’t possibly discuss every single factor worth considering in this article. However, a consultation with a Marks Education Education Advisor can help you walk through each individual factor in the decision to apply test optional or not. Together, we can help you decide what is the right college application testing strategy for your student and take the burden off of your shoulders.
What are the various testing approaches?
When first starting out on the college application journey, understanding the nuances of college testing policies can be crucial to building your college application strategy.
Here are the different testing approaches a university might’ve adopted:
Test-Required Schools
Though rare, a select group of prestigious institutions, including some Ivy League colleges like Dartmouth, Yale, Harvard and Brown, as well as other elite schools such as Georgetown and MIT, maintain a test-required stance. These colleges argue that standardized test scores provide an additional metric for assessing an applicant’s readiness for the rigorous academic environment they offer. Yale adopts a more flexible approach, allowing candidates to meet testing requirements with a variety of scores, including SAT, ACT®, IB, and AP. This flexibility aims to accommodate diverse educational backgrounds and access to testing opportunities, recognizing different standards of excellence in its applicant pool.
Test-Blind or Test-Free Schools
At the other end of the spectrum are institutions like the University of California system, which adopted a test-blind or test-free approach in 2021. These schools do not consider standardized test scores in their admissions process at all, reflecting a philosophical stance that excellence can be demonstrated through other facets of the application, such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and personal essays.
Test-Optional
The largest group of colleges and universities now operate under a test-optional policy. This approach grants applicants the discretion to decide whether their standardized test scores accurately reflect their academic capabilities and potential. The decision to submit scores should be strategic, considering how they complement the overall narrative of your application. However, the permanence of test-optional policies varies, with some institutions adopting them as a long-term commitment, while others remain in a trial phase, re-evaluating their policies in light of emerging data on student success and diversity. Understanding a university’s relationship to standardized testing can be helpful in your decision to submit scores or not.
What this means for you:
This varied landscape necessitates a tailored approach to each application. Prospective students must carefully research each target institution’s policy and consider how their personal circumstances and academic record align with the ethos and requirements of each policy. For example, a stellar SAT or ACT® score could be a significant advantage at a test-optional school, especially if it aligns with the upper quartiles of their admitted student profile. Conversely, at test-blind institutions, focusing on other aspects of your application will be paramount.
The evolving nature of testing policies among colleges underscores the importance of staying informed and adaptable. As policies continue to shift in response to educational trends and equity concerns, students must remain agile, ready to adjust their strategies to navigate the complex admissions landscape successfully. That’s where an educational advisor may come in handy.
Remember, it is always easier to decide down the line that you’d like to exclude your test scores than to decide at the last minute you’d like to include them when you haven’t taken or prepared for the tests. Read Part 2 of this series for more information about what test optional means for your test prep plans.
An understanding of college preferences not only informs a strategic application process but also aligns students with best-fit institutions that reflect their values and aspirations. It might also help students secure valuable scholarships or acceptance to elite programs.
Evaluating Your Academic Profile
Beyond understanding college preferences, assessing your individual academic profile is paramount to making college application decisions.
- Score Representation: Reflect on whether your test scores accurately represent your academic abilities and interests. Did you have a bad test day? Didn’t prepare as much as you’d like? Have you improved academically since your last sitting and want your academic growth to be considered accordingly? Compare your scores with your high school performance, the rigor of your coursework, and the profile of your high school to determine the competitiveness of your scores and whether they accurately reflect your abilities and fit the expectations of the university.
- Score Alignment with Interests: Consider how your scores align with your intended field of study. For STEM or business programs, quantitative scores may be weighed more heavily, while humanities programs might focus on verbal scores or other metrics. Evaluate whether the balance between your English and math scores reflects your strengths and academic interests. These factors can be tough to weigh, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the college application process, which is where our college application counselors can help.
- Contextual Factors: While not always highlighted, factors such as socioeconomic status and first-generation-to-college student status can influence the expectations colleges may have around test scores. Though it may not be the primary focus of your application strategy, being aware of how your background might impact the perception of your scores is important. How does your score compare to other students in your graduating class? Your area? Or your family history? These are all valid questions to consider when thinking about how your scores will be read by admissions counselors.
This part can be tricky, and difficult to parents or students unfamiliar with their school profile, but at Marks Education, it’s an everyday task! Our talented counselors know just how to balance your personal educational experiences with the expectations of the university you hope to attend.
College Policy Details
An often-overlooked aspect of the test-optional decision is the college’s stance on score submission policies, such as superscoring or considering only single sitting scores. Schools that superscore the SAT or ACT® allow students to present their highest section scores from multiple test dates, potentially offering a more favorable view of their capabilities. Conversely, institutions that do not superscore or require single sitting scores might influence your decision on whether to submit scores based on the strength of your composite score versus individual bests.
Making Your Decision
Deciding whether to take advantage of test-optional college admissions policies is not a straightforward “yes or no” question; it requires a strategic evaluation of how your test scores fit into the broader narrative of your application. Consider how your scores complement your academic record, extracurricular achievements, and personal story. Remember that while you may elect to submit scores at one college, you may decide not to submit them at another college. Reflect on the specific requirements and preferences of your target colleges, and remember that your application is a holistic portrait of who you are as a student and individual.
Conclusion
For students and parents navigating this process, seeking guidance from experienced counselors can provide clarity and confidence in your application strategy. At Marks, our counselors review admissions decisions as they are released and analyze the data to help you make informed choices about how to present your academic achievements in the best light next application season.
