Following the cancellation of the spring’s SAT and ACT tests due to COVID-19, a number of colleges across the nation went test optional for students applying in 2021. Many of these colleges and universities have remained so, although these policies are constantly changing, so it’s always worth checking the most up to date information found on the Admissions portion of the website of your favorite college.
Colleges are Going Test-Optional. Should You Still Take the SAT or ACT Test?
Test Free Vs. Test Optional
A lot of students have become confused about the difference between Test Free and Test Optional college policies, and no wonder! The terms get tossed around almost interchangeably by some well-meaning people, but they are very different.
Test Free
Test Free colleges won’t look at your SAT or ACT scores..even if you send them! These notably include the University of California System and California State University system, but other states, including Oregon, have test-free public schools, and some private colleges (notably WPI and the University of San Diego, both selective and well-ranked schools) are test-free as well.
This can be great news for students for whom testing doesn’t show off their strengths, but for students who are counting on a test score to help them stand out, these colleges may not be good strategic additions to a well-balanced college list.
But wait! It can occasionally get even more complicated. For example, the UCs won’t take test scores…but they do want to know about your AP Exam scores, and you might be able to give them a hint of your PSAT score range by listing honors such as National Merit Semifinalist in your Activities and Awards section on the UC application. Checking to understand what scores (if any) a school will look at is a great first step in your research as you’re building the right college list for yourself.
Test Optional
Test Optional colleges encourage students to submit scores if the student feels the score will add to their application, but it’s sometimes hard to tell what they really mean. While many schools have permanent test optional policies in place , some take very small percentages of students test-optional, and some don’t publish this data at all. And, college admissions officers use test scores–or the lack thereof–in different ways. At some schools, such as TCU and Texas A&M, scores can only help, not hurt an applicant: these so-called “Do No Harm” policies allow everyone to put their strengths on display.
However, other schools work differently, and some may even make assumptions about a student’s score based on their school profile and other factors when they see that a student has chosen not to submit scores. Still other schools are technically test optional, but openly ask students to submit scores if they have them (and even invite them to explain why not, if they don’t have any!) Schools like Auburn and the University of Michigan fall into this category.
For those that are truly test optional, a good rule of thumb is to find the middle 50% of submitted score ranges…and submit if you’re even close! After all, these ranges are likely skewed high, because high scorers tend to be those who want to submit…a self-perpetuating problem. If your scores are close to the range published, many schools would rather see them than assume they’re even lower ( a phenomenon sometimes called the use of Imputed Scores.)
Make It Make Sense!
Ultimately, test optional admissions is a practice that some schools have found they love…and others can’t get rid of fast enough! The best way to handle the different variations? Don’t forget that knowledge is power: asking a question to clarify test score policy, assuming you can’t find the answer easily on the website, is also a great way to connect with your admissions reader, demonstrate interest, and interact in a positive way with the person who may well be reading your application.
Deciding whether or not to submit a test score has no one-size-fits-all rule. Arm yourself with as much information as you can, and then study hard! Whatever else might happen, a solid test score can only help open doors.
