With college application season underway, high school seniors across the country stress about submitting their materials for regular decision deadlines in January.  When applying to college, some students face a dilemma about submitting standardized test scores, wondering if they’re enough for their desired college. Students who are not submitting test scores are taking advantage of test-optional policies, where colleges provide a choice for students to submit ACT or SAT scores. Through this policy, an omission of test scores will not harm the student. Instead, colleges will focus on stronger aspects of the student’s application. Therefore, many students face the difficult decision of submitting or omitting their test scores. 

The ACT and SAT are notorious for being challenging, with one percent of test takers nationally achieving a perfect score. The ACT takes three hours to complete, with a 30-minute embedded break. It’s known to have less time per question on its math, reading and optional science sections, but the questions are usually more straightforward. The highest possible score on the ACT is a 36. The SAT, on the other hand, takes two hours and 14 minutes, containing four sections: two sections of reading and writing, and two sections of math. Also, the SAT requires deeper thinking and scores up to  1600. These tests can be stressful, especially for students who struggle with test-taking. Senior Carson House applied test-optional to Greenville University to highlight other stronger aspects of his application, other than his test results. 

“I found the place I wanted to be, and they didn’t require [standardized test scores]. I don’t feel like I’m the best test taker, and I think that reflected when I took those bigger tests. So, I [thought] I could use my GPA, which is a little bit higher, to help me through that,” House said. 

Test-optional policies have been in place since 1969, but were not widely used by colleges. Decades later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities became test-optional due to health concerns about applicants gathering in testing centers and mental health issues due to standardized testing. Additionally, universities saw the benefits of creating a more diverse group of applicants, giving access to underrepresented and first-generation students. Generally, low-income students have lower test scores compared to students who come from high-earning households because they are not able to afford testing resources. These can include testing preparatory agencies and costly tutors that average $70 per hour, and have long, extended schedules. For these reasons, eight Ivy League schools adopted test-optional policies. 

However, many of these top schools have not upheld these policies. In fact, only two prestigious Ivy League schools, Columbia University and Princeton University, have continued with these policies in 2025. Yale University has a special test-flexible policy where applicants can submit their Advanced Placement (AP) scores, a college-level class for high schoolers, instead of their ACT or SAT scores. Students can also submit their International Baccalaureate (IB) program scores, which are pre-university exams, in place of their standardized testing scores. Columbia University chose to continue with a test-optional policy because it believed it would improve the diversity of the admissions process, helping low-income students who would otherwise be hurt by their test scores. Recently, Princeton announced it will return to requiring test scores in the fall of 2027. As the Department of Education’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) funding tightens, there have been warnings sent to colleges to remove DEI policies, which include test-optional admissions. 

For those who applied for fall 2025 admission, 80% of U.S four-year colleges and universities did not require applicants to submit their ACT or SAT scores. This year, there are still over 2,000 test-optional colleges that provide flexibility to applicants, such as Boston University, University of Arkansas, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Michigan. 

Preparing and taking standardized tests can be an enduring process. Students may start studying months in advance while also balancing school and extracurriculars. To add to the stress, worrying about retaking tests for an optimal score can add some weight. 

“I think [test optional policies helped] because looking back, there were a lot of colleges requiring pretty high test scores, which would [require] having to find dates and get to the places to retake the tests. That limits a lot of the options. Now, without really needing to have even taken the test, it’s given me a lot more flexibility and extra time,” House said. 

If students chose to submit their test scores, colleges would acknowledge them, but they would also focus on other aspects of the student’s life, such as essays, recommendations, grades and coursework. College and career counselor Chris Lorenz often works with seniors applying to college.

“The general advice would be that students really do a lot of research on their colleges and make a decision based on the averages of the school. Online, GPA averages [and] standardized test score averages [are often posted on college websites],” Lorenz said.

Usually, if a student falls below the median with their test scores, applying test-optional is a better idea. If they fall within the average or higher, sending scores would support their application. 

 “When students apply to colleges and [do] not submit their test score, many colleges will describe the admissions process for those students as holistic. Holistic review is, in addition to GPA and the transcript, like courses taken, the expanded activities and involvement that a student had,” Lorenz said.

There are a few exceptions to test-optional policies. For example, schools require SAT and ACT scores for certain majors or scholarship programs. In fact, nearby Lindenwood University offers test-optional policies, but with some limitations. Students who were homeschooled cannot get by without submitting test scores. In addition, they require international students to submit test scores to demonstrate their English fluency. 

Beyond schools with these stipulations, test-optional policies open up a new realm for applicants who are doubtful. It’s a great option to fall back on if standardized testing does not go well, or if you believe your application is stronger without ACT and SAT scores. Students should take advantage of these widespread test-optional policies while they are still available. Despite several colleges and universities still offering test-optional policies, some families are worried that test policies will not be consistent for future senior classes applying to college. 

“Colleges are tracking the students that they’ve admitted, both [those] who have sent in test scores [and those who] applied test-optional to their institutions. [Comparing the]  success rate of those students is prompting some colleges to swing back to test required and viewing [scores]  as a valid gauge in determining college readiness,” Lorenz said. 

Test-optional policies give students another outlet when they believe that, without standardized tests, their application would look better. It’s better to attempt the ACT or SAT to see how the student does, and if it doesn’t meet their standards, they can rely on test-optional policies. 

“Students who are navigating the college admissions process need to research each individual college to understand what those colleges require. A strong test score can only help, not hurt you, in the process. Give yourself a fair shot at retaking the test to get [the] highest score possible for you,” Lorenz said.