Every admissions cycle, students and parents agonize over the decision: Do I submit my SAT or ACT scores? Will test-optional policies help me—or hurt me? Is Test-Optional Truly Optional?
Understanding the real impact of test-optional policies is critical for today’s applicants. On the surface, they seem to offer flexibility and reduce pressure, but in practice they’ve created a mix of hope, confusion, and shifting strategies. To succeed, students need to know what these policies actually mean, how colleges use them, and when submitting a test score strengthens an application. Here’s what the latest admissions trends mean for your student:
Where Did Test-Optional Policies Come From?
While the debate about the fairness of standardized testing has been around for decades, COVID-19 accelerated the shift. Many students simply couldn’t sit for the SAT or ACT during test center shutdowns. Colleges, starting with smaller liberal arts schools and quickly spreading to major universities, adopted test-optional policies as a practical response.
Beyond access issues, schools also saw test-optional as a way to expand applicant pools. Standardized test ranges can discourage otherwise strong students from applying. By removing the barrier, institutions opened their doors to more diverse applicants, including those from lower-income or first-generation backgrounds.
Did Test-Optional Policies Level the Playing Field?
Not entirely. On one hand, students without access to expensive tutors and prep programs gained a chance to be evaluated more holistically. On the other, data show that students who did well on tests were still the ones most likely to submit scores. This skewed results toward higher-income families who could afford significant prep.
In practice, test-optional policies have often increased application volume while also raising average reported scores—since only the strongest results were submitted. For colleges, this meant appearing more selective while diversifying their applicant pool. For students, it often meant more uncertainty.
Why Are Colleges Moving Back to Testing?
Grade inflation has made it harder for admissions officers to rely on transcripts alone. A 4.0 from one school may not reflect the same level of rigor as a 4.0 from another. Standardized tests provide an external benchmark that helps admissions offices make fairer comparisons across thousands of schools.
Legal and policy pressures are also influencing decisions. Many colleges want to demonstrate that their admissions process is defensible and rooted in measurable academic ability. Reintroducing test requirements helps them do that.
Should You Submit Your Scores?
The answer depends on your profile. Students from underrepresented backgrounds or with exceptional achievements outside the classroom may benefit from applying test-optional. But for most students—especially those at competitive schools or in higher-income brackets—strong test scores still matter.
Submitting scores can:
- Reinforce your academic record if your grades are inconsistent.
- Help offset a weaker transcript with evidence of mastery in core areas.
- Show readiness for the pressure of college-level exams.
Conversely, if standardized tests have always been a true barrier despite tutoring, accommodations, and preparation, it may be better to lean on strong essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars at test-optional schools.
What’s the Best Strategy Moving Forward?
- Start early. Begin SAT/ACT prep as early as sophomore year to give yourself time to build skills and confidence.
- Treat test-optional as test-preferred. Unless you have a clear reason not to, aim to submit a competitive score.
- Know your audience. Research the policies of every school on your list. Some universities are permanently test-optional, while others are reinstating requirements.
- Be realistic. Hope is not a strategy. Dedicate time to preparation, whether through tutors, free resources like Khan Academy, or structured self-study.
Key Takeaway
The admissions landscape is changing fast. While test-optional policies still exist at some schools, the reality is clear: strong SAT or ACT scores can only help your application. Whether you’re applying to the Ivy League or a highly selective state school, the safest strategy is to prepare thoroughly, aim for your best score, and submit it when it strengthens your file.
If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, remember you don’t need to navigate this alone. At Admittedly, we partner with Advantage Testing, one of the most respected test-prep organizations in the country, to help students build confidence, master strategies, and reach their target scores. The right preparation isn’t just about testing; it builds academic skills that last well beyond admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Test-Optional Admissions
Q: Does test-optional mean colleges won’t consider test scores at all? A: No. Test-optional means you can choose not to submit scores, but if you do, they will be considered and can strengthen your application.
Q: Who benefits most from test-optional policies? A: Students with unique circumstances (first-generation, lower-income, or with significant hardships) may benefit more. But for most applicants from competitive schools, strong scores remain an advantage.
Q: Will not submitting a test score hurt my chances? A: At highly selective schools, yes — unless you bring extraordinary strengths elsewhere. Admissions officers may assume no score = weaker score.
Q: Are test-optional policies going away? A: Many top schools, including MIT, Dartmouth, and Yale, have already reinstated testing requirements. The trend suggests more schools will follow.
Q: How can I prepare effectively without breaking the bank? A: Free resources like Khan Academy help, but personalized tutoring can make the biggest difference. Programs like Advantage Testing provide tailored, proven strategies that adapt to your strengths and weaknesses.
