Adding yet another layer to the mystery surrounding college admissions policies, recent trends in admissions have us wondering – is test-optional really test optional?
First, a very short history of the “test-optional” policy in college admissions.
Until 2020 and the pandemic, the SAT and ACT were foundational pieces of the college process for the majority of universities, although there have historically been some exceptions, including Wake Forest (2009), Hofstra (2015), and Rollins College (2008) – for example, who are pioneers in test-optional admissions. During the 2020-2021 application cycle, the pandemic made testing difficult or impossible, and the majority of colleges implemented some type of test-optional policy (state universities in Florida, however, never adopted a test-optional policy). For those that implemented the test-optional policy, most were intended to be temporary. Once the pandemic ended, many colleges extended their test-optional policies through at least the 2024-2025 cycle. This temporary test-optional policy is, however, slowly coming to an end with many colleges returning to requiring the SAT or ACT.
What does test-optional mean for students applying in the 2025-2026 cycle?
For those colleges that remain test-optional for the 2025-2026 cycle, what does this actually mean in this ever changing process? The question is – are colleges providing full disclosure about the significance of not submitting scores in their decision process, and is submitting these scores truly “optional”? Ladies and gentlemen, the answer is…maybe! To help you make the most informed decision possible about submitting scores we will provide some background information that will help in your decision.
So, why have some colleges decided to keep SAT/ACT scores optional even in the wake of the pandemic?
The advantages of test-optional policies for students are clear, but what are the benefits from a college’s perspective? Admissions teams have important decisions to make and standardized test scores can be a reliable data point, though there is lively debate about using standardized scores as a reliable indicator of future performance on campus.
For one thing, for some students, a standardized test score is genuinely not the best reflection of their academic potential. Admissions Directors have become more aware that there are many circumstances that could lead to one student scoring higher on the SAT/ACT than another, that have nothing to do with ability. For some applicants, a standardized test score is simply not a useful metric for determining potential.
The age-old question remains-what are the best indicators of a student’s potential for success? New data and research have shown that test-optional students have been equally successful if not more successful on campus than their peers who submitted test scores. While the results are not in for all of the students who benefited and who have been admitted test-optional since 2020, preliminary results are pointing in a positive direction. Some, like Northeastern University, have made commitments to remain test-optional, stating that, “Northeastern will remain test-optional for the foreseeable future. Our internal data suggests that high school rigor and academic performance are the strongest predictors of academic success.”
Additionally, test-optional policies have some more tangible, direct benefits for colleges. Colleges care about the statistics, including SAT/ACT scores. If those scores are no longer required, applicants are likely only submitting them if they did exceptionally well, which boosts admissions statistics. Which brings us back to our main point, how to maneuver applications to the colleges that remain test-optional this year…
Does test-optional truly mean test-optional?
And the answer is…maybe! Questions remain. Are the colleges providing full disclosure on their policies and the use of scores in their admission process? Will a student be penalized in some way for not submitting their scores? While students can feel more confident in not submitting scores to a traditionally test-optional and committed university like Wake Forest, the results are still not in for those “newer” to the test-optional game. As College Planners, we have seen a concerning increase this year in colleges that will defer test-optional students, providing a “second chance” to submit scores. In the end, do admissions offices trust their own, newer test-optional policy? Clearly, some are feeling nervous about their newish policies. For example, this year, Clemson and Tulane deferred academically gifted students, offering an opportunity to change their mind about submitting scores with statements that encouraged them to reconsider, or offered the opportunity to switch to submitting scores. These messages have left applicants wondering if their application will still be seriously considered without adding scores.
Test-Optional Policies and the Common Data Set
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by trying to keep track of all the changes with test-optional policies, a great resource is the Common Data Set. It is released by many colleges and contains a breakdown of admissions policies, including on standardized testing requirements.
Our recommendation for 2025-2026
Given this current trend, our recommendation is to go ahead and apply test-optional if it makes sense for you, BUT, keep testing, even if you have submitted an application to a university that has a newly adopted test-optional policy. Until colleges are comfortable with their own policies, you may very well be prompted to submit those “optional” scores after all, in the middle of your senior year. It is better to be prepared!
Christina Assal. M.A.
Milestone Senior College Advisor
