The pandemic has changed a lot of things for everybody. Distance learning and online classes were in their element and Zoom’s stock shot up overnight. One of the changes was related to standardized testing. Because everything was closed down, taking these critical tests was understandably impossible. Thus, many colleges became test-optional—some temporarily, some permanently, some undecided.
And many students breathed a sigh of relief. Surely, this meant that SAT and ACT scores no longer matter.
Not quite.
The schools who do not look at scores at all are called “test-blind” and those are few and far between. Test-optional schools are different.
While “test-optional” does mean that a school does not require you to submit scores in order to have a complete application, it will still review your scores and take them into consideration when deciding whether or not to accept you. This means, depending on your scores, you could have a stronger application than those who do not take a standardized test or those who choose not to submit their scores.
Significance
Since many more students are applying to colleges all over the country these days, the competition for admission has increased. This means you will want to do everything you can to make your application stand out from the crowd. Submitting a test score has become one of those ways.
This could be crucial. If you have focused solely on extra curriculars, a standardized test is an easy way to demonstrate your academic intelligence. If you have struggled a bit in different parts of school or had a major event that affected your grades, a good score can showcase your true abilities. Even if your academics are your strong suit, a great score will make them look even better. The point is, taking a standardized test can benefit nearly everybody. Even if you have plenty to put on your college applications, every little bit counts and having a decent test score to submit could be the bit that make the difference between acceptance or rejection.
To Test or Not to Test?
Whether you choose to submit your scores or not, taking the test is generally encouraged. For one, you might as well try and see how you do. Maybe your scores will be better than you thought they would be and they can add the finishing touch to your apps. This is especially true if your desired school recommends submitting your scores if you can. According to Prep Scholar, you should submit your scores if they are at or close to the 75th percentile of successful applicants to the school you are applying to. This means your scores fall in the upper quarter of the total range of the scores of admitted students. Comparatively, you are smarter than 75% of the current student body. If your scores fall below the 50th percentile, you may want to consider trying again for a higher score.
There are still a few schools which require standardized test scores in their application processes. The following list is from College Dekho and shows the leading universities in the United States which still call for scores.
University of Central Florida
Florida State University
University of Florida
University of South Florida
University of Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Georgetown University
Many more than these, of course, are test-optional. Here is College Dehko’s list of foremost U.S. colleges which are now test-optional.
University of Texas at Austin
Arizona State University
University of Miami
American University
Yale University
University of Pennsylvania
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Princeton University
Michigan State University
University of Alabama
Stanford University
San Diego State University
Auburn University
Ohio State University
University of California Irvine
Baylor University
University of Maryland College Park
University of Wisconsin Madison
University of Washington
University of Tennessee
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
University of Kentucky
Villanova University
University of Chicago
University of California Santa Barbara
Texas A&M University College Station
University of Arizona
Kennesaw State University
University of Colorado Boulder
Texas State University
University of Houston
DePaul University
Hofstra University
Harvard University
University of Kansas
University of Utah
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Dayton, Ohio
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Oregon State University
Suffolk University, Boston
New Jersey Institute of Technology
A more comprehensive list of test-optional schools can be found in Prep Scholar’s article. Of course, the best way to know for sure which kind the schools you are applying to are is to check with that school.
Calling, emailing, or checking a college’s application requirements online will let you know what you need to know.
What to Do Next
Once you know what you need to know, consider your strengths and your past accomplishments in light of the colleges you intend to apply to. Is there enough there? Is your application well-rounded? Are your achievements what the school likes to see? Do they fall in line with the school’s mission statement and vision?
And finally, will your SAT or ACT score help you?
If so, look up test locations near you and sign yourself up. If you haven’t done much testing or aren’t familiar with standardized testing formats, we recommend choosing a date a month of more out. This will give you time to prepare. The tests are hours long and can be grueling.
In order to properly prepare yourself, consider an SAT or ACT study book. Practice tests, either with your school or timed on your own, are also excellent for readying yourself for what is coming. If you find books are difficult to understand or overwhelming and you are struggling a bit with your practice tests, consider hiring an SAT or ACT tutor for the subjects which have scores that are less than what they could be.
We at Spark Tutors have helped prepare many students for standardized testing. Whether you have taken a test and hope to improve or you are just starting on your SAT or ACT journey, we have academic experts who can support you. Sometimes there are some academic concepts that need clarification. Sometimes paying attention to little details can turn a wrong answer into the right one. Whatever your needs, we can work with you to get you where you want to go.
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We hope this article has answered some questions and given some guidance. This season is full of difficult decisions, and we want to encourage you as you move forward. We’ll see you at the tutoring table!