By now, you know what the options are. To quickly review:
Test-Required: at these schools you must submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
Test-Preferred: test-preferred schools strongly encourage submission of test scores and may give advantage to applicants who submit them.
Test-Optional: Under test-optional, you decide on whether to submit the scores. This is still the most common policy among selective universities.
Test-Flexible: instead of the SAT or ACT, you can submit AP or IB results.
What’s going on now in admissions offices?
Testing policy remains fragmented. While many universities extended test-optional policies originally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, we're now seeing many schools returning to a variety of test options for students:
- First, understand that some highly selective schools have returned to test-required policies
- Others have made test-optional policies permanent
- A growing number have adopted test-preferred approaches as a middle ground
You’re a student. What should you do!!
You have to look at each school’s testing policy individually. For example, the Ivies don’t have a “blanket policy”. Some are requiring the SAT/ACT, others are still optional.
-Plan to test at least once, even for test-optional schools. It keeps doors open. -
-Start preparation early (sophomore or junior year)
- If you can, consider taking both SAT and ACT to see which suits you better. They are very different tests.
- Remember that most schools “superscore”, so multiple attempts can improve your results.
-Compare your scores to the middle 50% range of admitted students. If your scores fall within or above this range, submit them, even to test-optional schools. If significantly below, look at other options.
And don’t forget to do this! Strengthen other parts of your application:
-Chose the toughest courses in your most-favorite subjects
- Keep your GPA up
- If you’re in an international curriculum, choose activities that support themes: leadership, art, community service
-If you’re in a Chinese curriculum, make sure to do internships and competitions at the university level
-Write authentic essays without relying on ChatGPT
-Choose teachers who know and like you to write letters
- Consider submitting portfolios, research papers, or additional materials when permitted
-Finally, consider test-flexible options. If you're an IB or AP student, or have taken AP exams, research which schools accept these.