SAT/ACT Policies for the Top 200 Colleges (‘25–’26): How to Know If You Should Apply Test-Optional

Last updated: 12/9/25

Standardized testing policies within college admissions are more confusing than ever. Schools are boasting “test-optional,” “test-free,” “optional but recommended,” and “test-flexible” policies, and many families understandably assume that test scores matter far less than they used to.

The reality is more complicated than that. 

Even at colleges that say they are test-optional, submitting (or not submitting) a score can change how your application is read. Policies are shifting rapidly, with more and more colleges updating their terms each year, especially at the top. 

This guide helps make sense of testing strategies. Let’s review exactly how to evaluate your scores, whether to submit them, and how testing impacts college applications.

Jump to:
Testing At a Glance
Policies by School
Optional, Free, and Flexible Definitions
Guidelines on Submitting Scores
STEM Applicants
Test-Optional Details
Superscores & Testing Histories
Early Application Rounds & School Lists
TLDR
Additional Support

The 2025–2026 Testing Landscape at a Glance

Most U.S. colleges remain test-optional or test-free for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle. 

However, the most selective schools are quickly returning toward required or preferred testing:

• Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, MIT, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins have reinstated some version of a test requirement.

• Yale has adopted a test-flexible policy, meaning students must submit some kind of standardized assessment - SAT, ACT or AP/IB.

• Columbia is currently the only Ivy with an open-ended test-optional policy.

Although the landscape is consistently changing, the decision-making tools in this article hold true, regardless of what individual schools do.

Testing Policies for Top 200 Colleges

School Name	Test Submission Policy	Scoring Policy	Notes
Carnegie Mellon University	Required, Flexible	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting	Highly dependent on program/school: testing is required for School of CS, flexible for most colleges, and optional for fine arts
Yale University	Required, Flexible	Superscore SAT/ACT
Brown University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Cornell University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Dartmouth College	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Florida International University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Florida State University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Georgetown University	Required	Requires all test scores
Georgia Tech	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Harvard University	Required	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Johns Hopkins University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Purdue University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
Stanford University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
The Ohio State University	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Central Florida	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Florida - Gainesville	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Georgia	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Miami	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Pennsylvania	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of South Florida	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee	Required	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Texas - Austin	Required	Requires all test scores
University of North Texas	Optional but recommended	Undetermined
Embry Riddle Aeronatical University	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT
New Jersey Institute of Technology	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT	Test optional but recommended for specialized programs and scholarships
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology	Optional but recommended	Undetermined
Rice University	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT
Texas A&M University	Optional but recommended	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Tufts University	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT	Recommended especially if students are 1300/28+
University of Iowa	Optional but recommended	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
University of Oklahoma	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Texas - Dallas	Optional but recommended	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Wheaton College - Illinois	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Rochester	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	Flexible for many programs
Claremont McKenna College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Harvey Mudd College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech)	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting	SAT/ACT scores are recommended for merit-based scholarship consideration and that they “strongly encourage” students who’ve taken the tests to send scores for scholarship and placement purposes. Homeschool students and students with GPA below 3.0 may be required to submit scores.
Pomona College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	ACT: Science section is required
Princeton University	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting	Will be required for class of 2031 app cycle
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting	Required for some specialized programs such as the Physician-Scientist Program
Rutgers University - New Brunswick	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	Test blind for Newark campus; test required for some specialized programs
The Cooper Union	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	Required for engineering programs
University of Alabama - Birmingham	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting	Test required for some specialized programs
University of Kansas	Optional	Undetermined	SAT/ACT - optional but highly encouraged to submit
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT (highest section scores)	SAT/ACT scores are not required, but they are "very important" for scholarships, aid programs, and academic placement. Strongly recommended for students with less than a 3.2 UW GPA.
University of Missouri–Kansas City	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT (highest section scores)	SAT/ACT optional for most programs but required for pre-professional programs such as BA/MD, nursing direct admit, pharmacy early assurance, etc.
University of Montana	Optional	Undetermined	Optional but recommended for placement and scholarships
University of Nebraska–Lincoln	Optional	Undetermined	SAT/ACT optional but recommended for scholarship consideration
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	Test optional for students with weighted GPA >2.8; required for students with lower GPAs
University of North Carolina - Charlotte	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT	Test required for students with a W GPA below 2.8, and required for some specialized programs
University of North Carolina - Greensboro	Optional	Undetermined	SAT or ACT Test Scores (Students with a weighted High School GPA greater than or equal to 2.50 and less than 2.80 are required to submit a standardized test score of a 17 or higher on the ACT or a 930 or higher on the SAT
American University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Amherst College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Arizona State	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Auburn University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Babson College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Bard College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Barnard College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Bates College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Baylor University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Beloit College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Boston College	Optional but recommended	Superscore SAT/ACT
Boston University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Bowdoin College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Brandeis University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Bringham Young University - Provo	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Bryn Mawr College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Bucknell University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Carleton College	Optional	Requires all test scores
Case Western Reserve University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Chapman University	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Clark University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Clemson University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Colby College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Colgate University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
College of the Holy Cross	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
College of Wooster	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Colorado College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Colorado School of Mines	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Columbia University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Davidson College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Denison University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
DePaul University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Dickinson College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Drexel University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Duke University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Emory University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Fordham University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Franklin and Marshall College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Furman University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
George Washington University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Gettysburg College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Grinnell College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Hamilton College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Haverford College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Hobart and William Smith College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Indiana University - Bloomington	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Iowa State	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
James Madison University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Kansas State University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT (highest section scores)
Kenyon College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Lafayette College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Lawerence University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Lehigh University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Loyola Marymount University - LA	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Macalester College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Marist College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Michigan State	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Middlebury College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Mount Holyoke College	Optional	Requires all test scores
New York University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
North Carolina State - Raleigh	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Northeastern University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Northwestern University	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Oberlin College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT (highest section scores)
Occidental College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Olin College of Engineering	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Oregon State University	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Pennsylvania State University	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Pepperdine University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Rhode Island School of Design	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Rhodes College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Rochester Institute of Technology	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Rollins College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Rose Hulman Institute of Technology	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Santa Clara University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Sarah Lawerence College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Scripps College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Sewanee, The University of the South	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Skidmore College	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Smith College	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Southern Methodist University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
St. Lawerence University	Optional	Requires all test scores
St. Olaf College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Stevens Institute of Technology	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
SUNY Buffalo (University of Buffalo)	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
SUNY Stony Brook	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Swarthmore College	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Syracuse University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Temple University	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
Texas Christian University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Texas Tech University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
The College of William and Mary	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Trinity College - Connecticut	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Trinity University - Texas	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Tulane University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Union College - New York	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Chicago	Optional	Requires all test scores
University of Colorado - Boulder	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Connecticut	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Dayton	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Houston	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
University of Illinois - Chicago	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Maryland - College Park	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Massachusettes - Amherst	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities	Optional	Highest SAT sitting, Highest ACT sitting
University of New Hampshire	Optional	Undetermined
University of Notre Dame	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Pittsburgh	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Portland	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
University of Puget Sound	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Richmond	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of South Carolina	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Southern California	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Tulsa	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Utah	Optional	Undetermined
University of Virginia	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Washington - Seattle	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
University of Wisconsin - Madison	Optional	Requires all test scores
Vanderbilt University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Vassar College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Villanova University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Virginia Tech	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Wabash College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Wake Forest University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Washington and Lee University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Washington University in St. Louis	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Wellesley College	Optional	Superscore SAT only, Highest ACT sitting
Wesleyan College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
West Virginia University	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Whitman College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Williams College	Optional	Superscore SAT/ACT
Cal State Long Beach	Free/Blind
California Institute of Technology	Free/Blind
California Polytechnic University - San Luis Obispo	Free/Blind
Pitzer College	Free/Blind
Reed College	Free/Blind
San Jose State	Free/Blind
University of California - Berkeley	Free/Blind
University of California - Davis	Free/Blind
University of California - Irvine	Free/Blind
University of California - Los Angeles	Free/Blind
University of California - Merced	Free/Blind
University of California - Riverside	Free/Blind
University of California - San Diego	Free/Blind
University of California - Santa Barbara	Free/Blind
Worcester Polytechnic Institute	Free/Blind

Test-Optional vs. Test-Free vs. Test-Flexible

As with most things relating to college admissions, we have confusing vocabulary that can be difficult to remember. So, let’s break down some common terms. 

Test-Optional

You have the option to submit scores. They will be considered, but you are not required to send them. 

However, test-optional does not mean “tests don’t matter.” Many test-optional schools have published “optional but recommended” policies, and other schools abide by this policy, although the information may be buried or kept quiet. 

Important note: Some schools are functionally test-required even if they use the words “optional but recommended.” This means you should treat them as test-required as you navigate the application process. Hopkins stated outright in 2024–25 that students not submitting scores “may be at a disadvantage,” before returning to a test-required policy, indicating a strong preference for applicants with strong scores.

Test-Free and Test-Blind

Colleges will not consider test scores at all.

Even if you wanted to send a 1600, they won’t look at it. This also means that high test scores can’t be used to supplement weaker grades. 

The University of California system is the most prominent example of an indefinite test-free policy across all campuses.

Test-Flexible

Scores can come from a range of assessments, not just the SAT or ACT. This is supportive of students who may have mixed testing results, such as solid AP scores but weak SAT scores. 

Yale’s current policy is the most notable example: students may fulfill the testing requirement with SAT/ACT or AP/IB exam scores.

Quick Review

• Test-Optional: Submit if it helps you; withhold if it hurts you.

• Optional but Recommended: Submit unless your score absolutely weakens your profile.

• Test-Free: Disregard test scores.

• Test-Flexible: Submit your strongest combination of scores (SAT/ACT/AP/IB).

I recommend adding a “testing policy” column to your college list spreadsheet, so you can sort and strategize easily.

How to Decide If You Should Submit Your Scores

Most students assume there’s a simple numerical cutoff for deciding whether to submit scores. In reality, the decision depends on how colleges will interpret your testing in the context of their college, your high school, your transcript, and your intended major. Many test-optional colleges will even directly state that you should only submit your test scores if they meaningfully support your core profile. But, what does this really mean?

Here’s the framework I use with my students:

• A: Consider how the score aligns with a college’s testing expectations (aim for at least >50th percentile to submit)

• B: Consider how the score compares to typical performance at your high school (aim for above-average performance)

• C: Consider how the score fits into your overall academic profile (score to grade conversions should be aligned)

Each of these factors carries a different weight depending on the student and the college list. This is why two students with the same score can receive completely different strategic recommendations.

A: Compare to the College’s Admitted Ranges 

Each college publishes very helpful data regarding previously admitted students, including their SAT/ACT scores. You can use this data to your advantage to determine the type of student typically admitted to the college and how competitive you are within this context. 

If your score is around or above the median of admitted student ranges, then it usually helps to submit. Of course, higher is always better. The college in relation to your overall profile matters here as well. Being near but below the median at a match or safety school may be totally fine. On the other hand, being near but below the median at a reach school has the potential to put you at a significant disadvantage. 

B: Compare to Your High School’s Average

This piece is often ignored, but it certainly matters. Typically, your first reader is a regional admissions officer who reviews many, if not all, applications from your high school and has years of experience doing so. This means they are incredibly familiar with the type of applicants that come from your high school. If you attend a very competitive high school where many students routinely score a 1500+ on the SAT, then a 1200 is going to stand out significantly - and not in a positive way. At a less competitive high school, that same 1200 might be viewed as neutral or even solid. Remember, your score (and entire application) is read in the context of how you’re performing compared to other students at your school and whether your score (and profile) is more or less competitive than what is typically seen in your region. Average SAT and ACT scores should be readily available on your school’s website. If not, your guidance counselor will have that insight for you. 

C: Compare to Your Own Academics 

We’ve moved from broad to specific here. You’ve evaluated your strength in the context of the college and your high school; now it is time to hone in on how strong your scores are compared to the rest of your profile. Consider a student with straight As in rigorous courses, 5s on AP exams, and a 1200 on their SAT. This disconnect between the SAT score and the student’s academic performance may raise questions for admissions officers on everything from preparation gaps for the student to grade inflation at the high school. In selective contexts, submitting this score would undermine the strong academic profile the student boasts. On the other hand, consider a student who has mostly Bs on their transcript and a 1500 SAT score. Submitting this score can help support the student's academic profile by providing an additional piece of evidence pointing in a strong direction. 

Now, there’s one more layer to consider: major.

STEM Applicants: STEM-Specific Strategy

This is where many students get a reality check. 

Math Needs to Be High

For STEM majors (engineering, CS, physics, chemistry, data science, etc.), the math score is non-negotiable at selective institutions:

• 700+ is the baseline for competitive STEM programs.

• 750–800 is the expectation at top 25 schools.

• 800 is common among admits to hyper-selective STEM programs.

If your transcript reads as “STEM” (AP Calc, AP Physics, CS, etc.), but your math section scores are low, it sends a mixed message. In other words, “I want to pursue a math-heavy major, but math is my weak point on my standardized test.” This means you need to be careful with where, and if, to submit your scores. 

Your English score still needs to be strong for competitive programs as well, ideally 700+. 

And, of course, if we focus on the ACT, the science section will follow the same pattern as the math section above. As the ACT shifts formats, students are consistently asking if they need to opt in to the science section. The answer is a resounding yes, especially if you are an intended STEM major. Think about it this way: a student is applying as a science major and has the option to submit a piece of evidence that shows their strength in science, but they choose not to. This has the potential to appear suspicious. If the science section of the ACT is truly a concern, just stick with the SAT instead. 

Can Test-Optional Hurt STEM Students More?

Majors like CS and engineering are often more selective than the overall university acceptance rate. These applicant pools are typically full of wildly similar applicants who have:

• Perfect GPAs

• Heavy AP/IB math and science courses

• Research and competition experiences

• Consistent leadership

• Very strong SAT/ACT scores

If you apply test-optional (even if the school says it won’t hurt you), you are at a relative disadvantage, considering many other applicants submit strong scores as additional evidence. If your testing is strong, lean into that strength. If it is a weak point, get creative with your academic narrative, which schools stay on your list, and whether to rely on true test-optional/test-free school options. 

Are Test-Optional Schools Really Test-Optional?

The short answer is sometimes. The long answer is, well, longer:

There are test-optional colleges that do applicants the favor of specifically stating that submission of test scores is optional, but recommended. In some cases, this is their way of saying, “If you don’t submit test scores, we won’t toss your application, but we will be giving preference to applicants who submit their scores.” In other cases, submitting test scores is recommended because the school uses them in specialized program fit or scholarship evaluation. Either way, treat these schools as test-required. 

For schools that seem truly test-optional, you do truly have the choice of whether or not to submit your scores. However, I always encourage students to consider the following scenario.

Suppose two applicants appear nearly identical. They have the same transcript rigor, the same major, and similar activities. The student who submits a strong test score has provided the admissions committee with one more piece of positive academic evidence to consider as they evaluate the student’s ability to thrive at their institution. The student who hasn’t submitted a score may be at a relative disadvantage. Presenting yourself and telling your story on paper is a challenging task, so it is always best to provide as much valuable evidence as possible on your application.

Additionally, some universities have argued that high school GPA alone isn’t a reliable measure of collegiate academic performance. This helps explain the trend back toward required testing and may lead to the preference for students choosing to submit scores. 

Even as top schools shift their testing policies, hundreds of colleges are still genuinely test-optional or test-free. 

Uneven Testing Histories and Superscoring

It’s common for students to have a mix of stronger and weaker test dates.

Patterns like improvement, consistency, or disparity between sections can all impact whether submitting scores will strengthen or weaken the application. This is one of the areas where personalized strategy matters most, because colleges may interpret the same pattern very differently depending on the student’s major, rigor, and school context.

Generally speaking, improvement is best, consistency is good, and disparities may need to be addressed. This is especially true when disparities occur between test scores and academic grades.

When Scores Start Low and Improve:

An upward trend is a positive signal, whether it’s in test scores or academic performance. Starting with a lower score and climbing over time is not a problem. In fact, most colleges allow for superscoring. This means your final composite score is determined by adding your highest section scores across all test dates. In the case of superscoring, the college is only evaluating your highest composite score during the admissions process. 

There are a handful of exceptions to this rule. Many institutions allow superscoring for the SAT, but not the ACT. Some institutions, such as MIT, require applicants to submit their entire testing history with the application. Always double-check the testing policies for each college.

When Scores Drop or Plateau:

It’s common for students to reach a score plateau, but for some, it happens much earlier in the testing process than expected. Occasionally, students start with high scores and then drop significantly. In either case, it’s worth an honest reflection on whether testing is the appropriate avenue for you. Evaluate whether additional retakes are realistically going to produce a different outcome. Consider your timeline is like at this point in the cycle, and whether a pivot away from testing would result in a stronger application strategy. Oftentimes, the energy spent chasing an extra point is better spent on a strength outside of testing. 

How Testing Strategy Affects ED/EA & School List Building

Don’t wait until you’re actively applying to evaluate a school’s testing policy. Consider these policies as you build your school list.

A well-designed school list takes into account whether testing is a strength, where submitting scores will make an impact, and which deadline is the best choice based on your testing schedule and scores. 

Instead of cementing a school list and then panicking about testing, I recommend you reverse the order. 

1. Start by tagging each school on your draft list with its testing policy.

2. Then, evaluate where testing is a strength, where it is neutral, and where it would impact you negatively. 

3. Narrow down to a balanced final list that reflects your scores. 

For example, the college list for a student whose scores are a clear strength may include more test-required or test-recommended reach schools. However, the list for a student who has a strong transcript but weaker test scores might rely on more test-optional or test-free reaches. 

Skipping Early Rounds

For some students, submitting strong scores early can significantly improve admissions odds. For others, applying without scores or waiting until regular decision can lead to a stronger overall application. You may want to consider skipping EA/ED rounds if it means locking you into applying with a profile that’s noticeably weaker than what could be presented in January with more time to improve. 

Most students think of early decision as a strategic choice, but regular decision is often equally strategic. 

This is exactly the kind of work I do with my students. I match each student’s specific profile to a realistic mix of schools, deadlines, and policies so students can focus more on studying for their tests rather than doing institutional policy research. 

TLDR: Testing Filters

When you’re deciding whether to submit scores to a test-optional school, consider the following steps:

Step 1: Compare to the college’s admitted ranges

At/above median → good indicator for submitting

Below median → reconsider submission

Step 2: Compare to your high school’s norms

At/above average → good indicator for submitting 

Below average → reconsider submission 

Step 3: Compare to your own academic profile

Alignment → good indicator for submitting 

Mismatched test scores & academics → reconsider submission

Bonus Step: Consider your major

STEM = higher bar for math and sciences; Humanities = higher bar for reading and English

If your score passes all filters, submitting is usually beneficial.
If it fails one or more filters, test-optional schools may genuinely be the better route.

Remember, no single score will ever define your application as it is reviewed holistically. 

Still Confused? Support is Available

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at this point, you’re not alone. Testing policies are changing every year, and most students don’t fit into a straightforward scenario. 

I help students and families evaluate their profiles and develop application strategies based on their unique circumstances in the following programs:

• Early Prep Program (Grades 8–10): Course planning, long-term testing strategy, STEM exploration

• College Application Program (Grades 11–12): Application strategy, major positioning, testing submissions, ED/EA decision-making

If you’d like a clear, realistic perspective on scores, competitiveness by major, and how to use (or not use) testing in applications, I’m happy to guide you through it.

You don’t need a perfect score. You need a plan that makes sense for your profile. 

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