Recently, Ivy League colleges have announced their standardized test score policies for the next application season. Several of these colleges have begun mandating students to submit standardized test scores. Test-Optional era seems to be over. But is that really true? Today we will talk about test-optional colleges in the US.
What Are Test-Optional Colleges
Test-optional colleges are the schools that allow students to choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores with their application. These colleges recognize that a single test score does not determine your potential, and they look at your grades, essays, activities, and other factors that demonstrate your academic preparation.
Why the Test-Optional Colleges
American universities implemented test-optional policy because of the impact of the pandemic. During that time many applicants had difficulty in taking standardized tests, so this policy can remove the barriers to student applications. It also led to a surge in applications to top universities. For example, more than 60,000 students applied to Harvard in 2022, which almost double the number of applications the school received during the period when standardized scores were mandatory. However, the school did not increase enrollment, its acceptance rate dropped dramatically, to 3.2% in 2022. Such a low acceptance rate is actually good for the university’s reputation and can make the school more prestigious, which is one of the reasons why a number of universities still maintain the test-option.
In addition, the main reason is probably concerns about fairness. A study published in the New York Times found that students in the top 20% of family income were seven times more likely to earn an SAT score of 1300 or higher than students in the bottom 20% of family income, and students from the top 1% of families were 13 times more likely to earn a score of 1300 than students from the lowest income bracket.
But rencently a number of colleges in the United States are dropping the test-optional policies, including three Ivy League schools. Brown University was the third Ivy League school to resume requiring test scores from the class of 2029, Dartmouth College announced a policy change on February 5, 2024, and Yale University announced on February 22, 2024, that it plans to adopt a test-flexible policy.
What Colleges are not Test-Optional
Brown University
On March 5, 2024, Brown University announced its policy of reinstating standardized test requirements for the next admission season, meaning that students applying to Brown’s Class of 2029 will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores, except in rare cases where students are unable to take these tests. It means that Brown University is no longer the college that is test optional. Brown leaders noted that part of the reason for reinstating the standardized tests is that scores are highly correlated with individual academic performance, and scores are a reliable predictor of a student’s academic progress in school.
Admissions officers will continue to identify all applicants who have the potential to succeed at Brown, including students from more disadvantaged backgrounds or with fewer educational opportunities prior to college.
Dartmouth College
A study commissioned by Dartmouth President Sian Beilock and conducted by Dartmouth economists Elizabeth Cascio, Bruce Sacerdote, and Doug Staiger, and educational sociologist Michele Tine, confirms that standardized tests are a valuable element of applications. High school grades combined with standardized tests are the most reliable indicators of success of a student’s academic performance.
They also found that test scores are an important indicator for identifying students from low and moderate income backgrounds as well as high achievers. In the context of an increasingly geographically diverse applicant pool, standardized tests allows admission officers to recruit a banch of diversified students. Therefore, beginning with the Class of 2029, Darmouth declares that it will quit the test-optional policy and once again require applicants from high schools within the United States to submit SAT or ACT scores, with no preference for either. As always, Dartmouth College accepts collage scores and will consider the highest score on each section.
For applicants from schools outside the US, scores from the SAT, ACT, or three AP exams, or final exam scores from the IB or A-Level or equivalent standardized national exams are required, taking into account the varying access to standardized testing. The English language proficiency policy remains unchanged: for students that English is not the first language or has not been the primary language of instruction for at least two years, students will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English test scores.
Yale University
Yale University has announced that it will return to requiring standardized grades, but the new policy is “test-flexible” and will be in effect for class of 2029 students. Applicants will be able to choose which grades to submit from the following four options:SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB).
The goal of Yale’s flexible policy is to enable applicants to bring out their best. The rationale for mandating standardized scores is similar to that of the other two schools, in that the school’s research has found that when admission officers review applications without scores, they place more emphasis on the rest of the application, a situation that often disadvantages applicants from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
In addition to these three Ivy League universities, the remaining five schools all still maintain the test-optional policy, and Columbia University has announced a permanent waiver of the standardized test score requirement.
| Some US colleges with mandatory standardized test scores for the 24/25 fall application season |
|---|
| Florida Gulf Coast University |
| Florida State University |
| Georgetown University |
| Georgia College & State University |
| Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Purdue University |
| University of Texas at Austin |
| United States Military Academy |
| Randall University |
What Applicants Know whether Adopt Test-Option or Not
Taking Standardized Tests
Even though there are still a majority of test-optional colleges, uncertainty still existing. Taking the test takes a long time to prepare for, and in the event that a school’s policies change, having taken the test will allow you to deal with the change. Also, getting a high standardized test score can be more beneficial to applicants.
Paperwork is Important
Applicants to top universities have standardized test scores that are not too bad, good scores are just a knock on the door, but a wonderful paperwork is the winning formula.
Focus on Your Shining Point
In fact, admission officers would rather see you devote yourself to one or two activities than a schedule full of dozens of activities. Preparation for the standardized test will inevitably take up a considerable amount of time, and the time for extracurricular activities will be compressed, so doing better is more important.
Conclusion
The truth is, whether the school adopts the test-optional policy or not, the most important thing for you is to figure out which university you want to apply and then improve your relevant abilities as much as possible. Remember high standardized test scores are always useful. Ensure that you have enough time and energy to build an amazing resume to increase your acceptance rate.
FAQ
Is test optional a good idea?
In some cases one could say yes. After all, how competent a person is cannot be assessed by grades alone. There are many other factors that can be used as a basis for examination, such as: practical activities, talents, etc. And it is impossible for all people to have the same educational conditions, so grades can vary.
Is there a disadvantage to applying test optional?
Yes. Students can feel ambiguous and stressed when deciding to send or not send scores. In addition, some schools have more applicants each year, which theoretically increases competition.
What if I’m not confident about taking the SAT?
Not everyone enjoys taking tests, but there is a lot advantages to take SAT. In cases where schools allow test-option, you can still send in your scores at your own discretion if they are not as good as you would like. Colleges will only see your scores if you send them.
