The End of Test-Optional College Applications
By Cordelia Jin
The End of Test-Optional College Applications
Standardized testing has consistently been a crucial part of college admissions decisions in the United States. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulty of administering the ACT® and SAT® exams during that period, many colleges and universities, including all eight Ivy League schools, transitioned to a “test-optional” policy.
Now, many of these schools have reinstated mandatory standardized testing requirements. Yale University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, and M.I.T. are among the schools that have already reinstated these requirements.
Why are schools bringing back the standardized testing requirement?
Based on the official statements from several institutions, there are two main reasons:
- Predicting Academic Readiness: ACT®/SAT® scores help predict a student’s readiness for an academically demanding environment. The College Board states that the SAT® measures literacy, numeracy, and writing skills needed for college success. Educational institutions use these scores to gauge whether a student would thrive in a challenging academic setting.
- Fair and Holistic Evaluation: Standardized test scores assist admissions officers in evaluating students fairly and holistically. Many schools adopted test-optional policies during the COVID-19 pandemic for safety reasons. However, some supporters of these policies believed removing standardized testing would foster greater equity and diversity in admissions. Nonetheless, reinstating tests helps maintain a consistent evaluation metric.
How do schools feel about standardized testing?
According to a study commissioned by Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock, “high school grades when paired with standardized testing are the most reliable indicators for success in Dartmouth’s course of study.” The study also found that test scores are especially valuable in identifying high-achieving applicants from low and middle-income backgrounds, first-generation students, and students from urban and rural areas.
Harvard University states, “SAT® and ACT® tests are better predictors of Harvard grades than high school grades,” though it acknowledges that some students may have had fewer opportunities to prepare for standardized tests.
Conversely, Columbia University, a test-optional institution, found that test-optional admissions did not lead to a decrease in the academic success of enrolled students.
What does this mean for students?
According to a study commissioned by Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock, “high school grades when paired with standardized testing are the most reliable indicators for success in Dartmouth’s course of study.” The study also found that test scores are especially valuable in identifying high-achieving applicants from low and middle-income backgrounds, first-generation students, and students from urban and rural areas.
Harvard University states, “SAT® and ACT® tests are better predictors of Harvard grades than high school grades,” though it acknowledges that some students may have had fewer opportunities to prepare for standardized tests.
Conversely, Columbia University, a test-optional institution, found that test-optional admissions did not lead to a decrease in the academic success of enrolled students.
Why should I take the ACT®/SAT®?
According to data from the College Board, ACT®, Inc., and the National Center for Education Statistics, there has been a significant increase in the number of ACT®/SAT® test-takers in the past few years. With many educational institutions in the United States reverting back to standardized test score requirements, it is likely that the number of test takers will continue to increase. Stay ahead of the curve and start your test preparation early! The bottom line is that standardized test-taking is returning to pre-pandemic numbers and will become even more critical in the years to come as a fundamental part of the admissions process.
When should I take the ACT®/SAT®?
For a detailed SAT® game plan, please refer to this article.
Our general recommendations for how many hours you might need to boost your total score are as follows:
| Desired Outcome | Time Required |
|---|---|
| ~50 point improvement | 20+ hours of study |
| 100~200 point improvement | 40+ hours of study |
| 200~300 point improvement | 80+ hours of study |
Which Schools Require Standardized Test Scores (and Which Do Not)?
For a detailed SAT® game plan, please refer to this article.
Our general recommendations for how many hours you might need to boost your total score are as follows:
| Institution | Test Policy |
|---|---|
| Boston University | Test-optional through spring 2026 |
| Brown University | Test required for Class of 2029 |
| Columbia University | Test-optional |
| Cornell University | Mix of Test-optional, Test-free |
| Dartmouth College | Test required for Class of 2029 |
| Duke University | Test-optional for 2023 - 2024 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Test required |
| Harvard University | Test required for Class of 2029 |
| M.I.T | Test required |
| New York University | Test-optional for 2023 - 2024 |
| Purdue University | Test required |
| Rutgers University | Test-optional |
| Stanford University | Test-optional through 2024 - 2025 |
| Temple University | Test-optional |
| University of California (all campuses) | Test-free |
| University of Michigan | Test-optional starting winter 2025 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Test-optional for fall 2024 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Test-optional for 2024 - 2025 |
| University of Texas at Austin | Test required starting fall 2025 |
| Yale University | Test required starting 2024 - 2025 |
Important Terms
- Test-Optional: Institutions allow students to choose if they would like to submit their test scores. If submitted, scores will be considered as part of the application.
- Test-Blind/Test-Free: Institutions will not consider test scores as part of the application.
- Test-Flexible: Colleges and universities permit students to select the type of examination scores they prefer to submit, such as SAT, ACT, International Baccalaureate, or Advanced Placement exams. Note that SAT Subject Tests were phased out by the College Board on January 19, 2021.
If the school I’m applying to is test-optional, should I send my ACT®/SAT® scores?
For most students, deciding to apply only to test-optional schools is unnecessarily limiting and subject to the annual whims of admission committees. While essays, recommendation letters, and alumni interviews play a bigger role in the admissions process than before the COVID-19 pandemic, a high standardized test score continues to provide a crucial advantage in an increasingly competitive system. Studying properly, testing early, and having a solid score to show to any school remains the safest and soundest option.
Things to consider before sending your ACT®/SAT® scores:
- How competitive is the school? The more competitive the school, the more competitive your application should be. If you score highly on the ACT®/SAT®, you may want to consider sending in your test scores.
- Does your ACT®/SAT® score match your GPA? Ensure your test score boosts your GPA. If you have a high GPA and a high test score, your test score will supplement your GPA. If you have a high GPA and a low test score, reconsider sending your test scores as the inconsistency may not be in your favor.
- Do you have any special circumstances? If you are applying for scholarships or specific programs (such as athletics), check if test scores are required.
How can I prepare?
To prepare for the Digital SAT®, please refer to this article.
Need Peace of Mind for the ACT®/SAT®?
Tokyo Academics’ tutoring services are your gateway to mastering the ACT®/SAT®, offering personalized guidance and proven test-taking strategies from tutors from prestigious institutions such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and NYU. Our innovative approach is designed not only to elevate your test scores but also to optimize your study time, ensuring you make the most significant improvements in the shortest period possible. Partner with Tokyo Academics and embark on a transformative learning journey that accelerates your path to success, paving the way to the university of your dreams.
Contact us at support@tokyoacademics.com to schedule a free trial, or jump into one of our ACT®/SAT® Group Classes.
SAT® is a trademark owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse Tokyo Academics.
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