What Are Test Optional Admissions and How Should You Approach Them?

/ Premier College Prep/

In response to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, many colleges made their admissions process test optional for the class of 2021. As the pandemic stretches on, we expect that the majority of schools will extend their test optional policies for the class of 2022 as well.

What are test optional admissions?

Test optional means, simply, that a college does not require its applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Still, test optional admissions don’t make test scores irrelevant. Most test-optional colleges will consider SAT or ACT scores if submitted (only a small handful of schools have committed to being “test blind”).

I’ve taken the SAT or ACT but I’m not sure if I should submit my scores. Should I apply test optional?

First, figure out how your scores stack up against average accepted SAT and ACT scores (the “middle 50%”) at the colleges you’re applying to.

To explain the “middle 50%”—

Each year, colleges report a range of scores for applicants they’ve accepted. Take Penn State for example. For the 2018-2019 academic year, Penn State’s “middle 50%” for the SAT was 1160 to 1360. This means that 50% of all accepted applicants fell within that range. 25% scored below 1160 (the 25th percentile), and 25% scored above 1360 (the 75th percentile). The true middle in this case (50th percentile) would be somewhere around 1260.

If your test scores are at or above the 50th percentile
Definitely submit!

If your test scores are below the 25th percentile
These scores won’t help you, so set them aside and focus instead on making the other aspects of your application as interesting and polished as possible!

If your test scores are between the 25th and 50th percentiles
It depends. These scores are on the lower end of the accepted range, but they may still be useful for students with lower grades on their transcript, student athletes, underrepresented minority and first-generation applications, etc. If your scores are in this range and you’re not sure what to do, reach out and we can help!

Second, identify how strong your test scores are in relation to your grades.

Because GPA calculations vary so much from one high school to another, this can be difficult to do. Naviance charts and college median data can be helpful. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Students who receive nearly all A’s in all honors/AP/IB classes typically score above 1300 or 28.

  • Students who receive A’s and B’s in some honors classes typically score in the 1100-1300 (22-28) range.

  • Students who receive B’s and C’s in regular classes typically score below 1100 or 22.

Follow these guidelines and do some further research to determine how strong your test scores are (or might become, with proper preparation for the SAT or ACT) relative to your grades.

If your test scores are stronger than your grades
This is a no brainer. Test optional is meaningless to you. Submit your test scores to every college you apply to. Your test scores will strengthen your applications, perhaps most at the test optional colleges.

Your test scores are equivalent to your grades
Send your test scores to all colleges, even the test optional schools. Scores in line with your grades provide colleges further evidence that you have the rapid reasoning ability to handle college-level work. While test optional colleges insist that not submitting scores won’t hurt you, if you don’t submit test scores, the assumption will be that your test scores were weaker than your grades.

Your test scores are weaker than your grades
This is the one group of students that benefits from test optional admissions. Perhaps you’re a diligent student who struggles with test anxiety. Perhaps you’re a brilliant artist or athlete whose greatest talents aren’t on display in an academic setting. Test optional admissions are for you. Go right ahead and withhold your test scores from test optional colleges. You might even want to seek out test optional colleges, where your chances of admission will increase. You will be judged more on your grades, your accomplishments, and your essays, which makes it all the more important that you put a lot of time and energy into those other aspects of your application.

Need help?

The admissions process is complex and it can be difficult to navigate alone. We’d be happy to discuss your specific situation and advise you on the best course of action. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our College Admissions Consulting Package here!