As you research colleges, you might notice a certain phrase keeps popping up– “test optional.” Many institutions across the country now have“test-optional” admissions policies, and students often come to us wondering what exactly this means and how they should navigate such a policy. That’s why we’re here to answer some frequently asked questions we receive about applying test-optional and what it means for you. But first…
What is Test Optional?
A test-optional admissions policy allows applicants to choose whether or not to include their ACT® or SAT scores as part of their application package. This means that admissions officers will make all decisions based on a holistic review of other components of their applications, including essays, transcripts, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations. Essentially, under this policy, submitting standardized test scores is not a prerequisite for admissions.
The shift towards test-optional admissions was significantly influenced by the pandemic, which hindered students’ abilities to take or adequately prepare for standardized tests. Nonetheless, the adoption of test-optional policies by some schools predated the pandemic, driven by a desire to democratize access to higher education. Such policies aimed to level the playing field for applicants who might face barriers to testing, whether due to financial constraints or limited access to preparatory resources. Some test-optional schools also cited an educational philosophy that champions a holistic view of applicants, considering a multitude of factors beyond test scores alone.
As a result of the pandemic, many colleges initiated multi-year pilot programs to determine if test-optional policies would lead to a more diverse student body. In 2024, many schools are making decisions about whether they will continue to be test-optional, and it’s worth keeping up on if you’re planning to apply to college.
To share your test scores with test-optional colleges allows the admissions committee to factor them into their decision-making process. There are certainly pros and cons to doing so, and we discuss more of what you should consider when applying test-optional in our other blogs! However, one of the major benefits of submitting scores is that by demonstrating that you have certain scores on the ACT®/SAT, you’re showing admissions officers that you can handle challenging curriculum, prepare for tests, and demonstrate college readiness. Still, it’s important to discern whether your scores will enhance or detract from your overall application before submitting.
Do schools really mean it when they say they’re “Test Optional?”
While schools may say they are test-optional, we still advise reviewing each institution’s specific guidelines. Certain schools may suggest or require that specific student demographics submit their scores, especially when considering scholarships, eligibility for honors programs, or specialized educational tracks.
It’s also important to check the school’s history with test-optional applications: if the school went test-optional during the pandemic, it may still be beneficial to submit test scores. It’s possible that the school is not sold on a test-optional policy but had to implement one temporarily because of the difficulties of test-taking during the pandemic. Sending scores might reassure them about your candidacy. If a school has been test-optional for 20+ years, it’s likely genuinely committed to such a policy and means it when it says it is “test optional.”
Over the last few months, several schools have reinstated the requirement for standardized tests. These include elite schools such as Dartmouth, Cornell, Yale, Harvard, and Brown, among others. Admissions data indicate, however, that even when these schools were test-optional, the number of accepted applicants with test scores exceeded that of those without test scores.
In a recent podcast episode, Mark Dunn, Associate Dean of Admissions at Yale, noted that during the four years Yale was test-optional, beginning in 2020, approximately half of the school’s applicants submitted test scores. But among admitted students, about three-quarters applied with scores and one quarter applied without scores, suggesting a clear advantage for those who submitted scores.
Of course, those students with test scores may simply have been stronger students who also submitted better high school transcripts. However, admissions officers at the school state that standardized test scores, combined with a student’s academic transcript, provide them with the necessary preliminary information to determine whether a student is academically prepared for the rigorous curriculum at Yale.
Some schools are continuing their test-optional policies, while some institutions are reverting to standardized testing requirements. They argue that in an era marked by grade inflation and amidst different ideas of what constitutes an “A” or “B” in different districts and curricula, standardized tests provide a crucial, unbiased metric for evaluating academic ability and preparedness. MIT, for example, was an early advocate of reinstating testing requirements. Students attending MIT must demonstrate a certain proficiency in STEM subjects, and testing is a standard metric used to ensure this qualification is met before admission decisions are made.
Should I Submit my Scores?
Eliminating standardized tests from your application profile puts greater focus on other application components, such as essays and extracurricular activities, which might be exactly what you want. Whether or not to submit scores will depend on the individual schools to which you are applying, as well as on the other components of your application. You may submit your scores to one college where they are competitive and will add to your application, but you may opt not to submit those same scores to another college where they are less competitive. However, don’t count your scores out just because they aren’t the best in your class or because they are lower than the median score at a college. There are many things to consider in the choice to submit test scores, like your school profile, your major or program of interest, and the other parts of your application that make you a compelling candidate at a school. Speak with a Marks Education Educational Consultant to learn more.
Having standardized test scores as part of your college application can be immensely valuable. They can be a critical tool for distinguishing yourself in a highly competitive admissions landscape and showing admissions officers you’re ready to succeed in college-level classes. Strong test scores can open doors to merit-based scholarships and prestigious honors programs, increasing the educational opportunities available to you.
Applying test optional could be the right decision for your application, but remember, it is much easier to decide down the line that you’d rather not submit test scores having already taken the tests than to decide at the last minute that it is in your best interest to include test scores when you haven’t prepped or taken tests. So, if you are in doubt about whether you will need test scores, we advise that you take baseline tests and determine what your options are. Consider signing up for a test sitting and see what your options look like!
For more information on test-optional admissions policies, check out our blog on deciding when to submit test scores.