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Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2027

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

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The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the way higher education institutions review applications, with many colleges choosing to adopt a test-optional application review process. However, with record-breaking applicant pools and record-low admit rates, families are worried that test-optional may not really mean test-optional at all. Here is what we know, so far.  

What Exactly is a ‘Test-Optional’ Policy and Is It Here to Stay?

Test-optional institutions do not require submission of standardized testing scores but will still accept and review SAT and ACT scores when evaluating your application, should you choose to submit them. With the news that some schools may be sticking with test-optional, at least for a little while longer, it’s important to address just how optional test scores are to colleges with these policies.

It’s unclear how many colleges will choose to adopt a test-optional policy permanently. Many schools have committed to staying test-optional for the next few years. Some schools, like those in the University of California system, have even committed to remain test-blind for the foreseeable future, while Columbia University has implemented a permanent test-optional policy. On the other hand, some schools have already reinstated their testing requirements, like MIT, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale.

Should I Still Submit My Scores to a College with a Test-Optional Policy?

While a test-optional policy may work in your favor if you do not have the strongest test results, it is typically best to err on the side of caution and submit scores when you can. While choosing to withhold standardized testing results might not hinder your application, it could mean the difference of admission between you and another strong candidate who did opt to submit results.

It is also important to consider that test scores are one of the most significant metrics used in calculating college rankings and colleges that adopt test-optional policies may favor candidates who submit scores for their own ranking purposes. After all, many ranking systems (including the one developed by U.S. News & World Report) will only factor in a college’s test scores if a certain percentage of their applicants submit them.

Many colleges and universities have reported record-breaking applicant numbers with record-low acceptance rates in recent years, so to make your application competitive, you should strongly consider submitting test scores. Remember, many schools will superscore your SAT and ACT results to ensure you have the best chance of admission.

Curious about the test-optional data for the schools on your best-fit college list? Keep reading to learn more about which percentage of accepted applicants at those schools submitted their SAT/ACT scores during the 2022-2023 admissions cycle (class of 2027).

College Importance of Scores in Admission Decisions Score Submit Rates by Admitted and Matriculated Students* Additional Data on Test Submission Rates
American University Considered 25% submitted SAT
11% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 42% (source: email from admissions office)
Amherst College Very important 38% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Auburn University Very important 18% submitted SAT
76% submitted ACT
Early Action admits submitting test scores: 91%
Babson College Very important 30% submitted SAT
6% submitted ACT
Barnard College Considered 33% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 46%
Early Decision admits submitting test scores: 47%
Bates College Considered 18% submitted SAT
10% submitted ACT
Baylor University Very important 45% submitted SAT
26% submitted ACT
Boston College Data not yet released Data not yet released
Boston University Considered 30% submitted SAT
10% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 41%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 38%
Bowdoin College Considered 36.7% submitted SAT
21.8% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 56%
Brandeis University Considered 31% submitted SAT
12% submitted ACT
Brown University Very important
(Test scores required for fall 2025)
54% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Bucknell University Important 67% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 42.94%
Admits submitting test scores: 56.75%
California Institute of Technology Important beginning in 2024-25 N/A Previously test-blind, but returning to requiring standardized test scores beginning in 2024-25
Carleton College Considered 32% submitted SAT
28% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 62%
Carnegie Mellon University Considered 51% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Case Western Reserve University Considered 43% submitted SAT
23% submitted ACT
Chapman University Considered 16% submitted SAT
8% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 26%
Admits submitting test scores: 30%
Merit award recipients submitting test scores: 32%
Claremont McKenna College Considered 29% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
Clark University Considered 17% submitted SAT
4% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 23%
Clemson University Important 39% submitted SAT
21% submitted ACT
Colgate University Important 22% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
College of Charleston Considered 21% submitted SAT
11% submitted ACT
College of the Holy Cross Considered 35% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
College of William and Mary Very important 45% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 70%
Admits submitting test scores: 70%
Colorado College Considered 20% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Admits submitting tests scores: 53%
Columbia University Considered 40% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Cornell University Unknown
(Test scores recommended for fall 2025 and required for fall 2026)
42% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 24%
Admits submitting test scores: 42%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 48%
Dartmouth College Very important
(Test scores required for fall 2025)
Data not released
Davidson College Considered 30% submitted SAT
27% submitted ACT
Denison University Considered 26% submitted SAT
25% submitted ACT
DePaul University Very important 42% submitted SAT
ACT info not released
Enrollees submitting test scores: 42%
Duke University Data not yet released Data not yet released
Elon University Varies by program 24% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
Emory University – Emory Campus Important 42% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 64%
Fairfield University Considered 21% submitted SAT
5% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 29%
Fordham University Considered 23% submitted SAT
9% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 36.60%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 30.90%
George Washington University Considered 30% submitted SAT
12% submitted ACT
Georgetown University Very important 75% submitted SAT
34% submitted ACT
Test scores required
Georgia Institute of Technology Considered 77% submitted SAT
35% submitted ACT
Test scores required
Gonzaga University Important 25% submitted SAT
9% submitted ACT
Grinnell College Important 30% submitted SAT
21% submitted ACT
Hamilton College Considered 33.77% submitted SAT
16.88% submitted ACT
Harvard University Considered
(Test scores required for fall 2025)
52% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Harvey Mudd College Considered 51% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Haverford College Considered 40% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: ~50%
Indiana University Important 40.9% submitted SAT
16.2% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 54%
Johns Hopkins University Considered 41% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Lafayette College Important 31% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Lehigh University Important 33% submitted SAT
10% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 50%
Loyola Marymount University Considered 22% submitted SAT
9% submitted ACT
Loyola University – Chicago Considered 38% submitted SAT
21% submitted ACT
Macalester College Considered 30% submitted SAT
28% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 44%
Marquette University Important 14% submitted SAT
27% submitted SAT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 38%
Middlebury College Important 28% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 45%
New York University Important 27% submitted SAT
12% submitted ACT
Northeastern University Very important 27% submitted SAT
8% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: ~50%
Northwestern University Considered 50% submitted SAT
29% submitted ACT
Oberlin College Considered 35% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 59%
Olin College of Engineering Considered 46% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 54%
Pepperdine University Considered 14% submitted SAT
7% submitted ACT
Pomona College Considered 29% submitted SAT
15% submitted ACT
Princeton University Very important 57% submitted SAT
20% submitted ACT
Providence College Considered 60% submitted SAT
13% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 32%
Admits submitting test scores: 41%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 28%
Reed College Test-blind Test-blind Test-blind
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Considered 57% submitted SAT
13% submitted ACT
Rice University Very important 50% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 79%
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Considered 43.5% submitted SAT
19.7% submitted ACT
Rutgers University, New Brunswick Considered 51% submitted SAT
5% submitted ACT
Santa Clara University Considered 25% submitted SAT
12% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 36%
Admits submitting test scores: 41%
Sarah Lawrence College Considered 10% submitted SAT
8% submitted ACT
Smith College Considered 33% submitted SAT
15% submitted ACT
Southern Methodist University Important 17% submitted SAT
15% submitted ACT
Stanford University Considered 47% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Swarthmore College Considered 40% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Syracuse University Considered 22% submitted SAT
9% submitted ACT
Texas Christian University Considered 20% submitted SAT
15% submitted ACT
Texas A&M, College Station Considered 78% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Trinity College Considered 9% submitted SAT
4% submitted ACT
Trinity University Considered 40% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 54%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 43%
Tufts University Considered 35% submitted SAT
18% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 50%
Admits submitting test scores: 60%
Enrollees submitting test scores: ~55%
Tulane University Important 14% submitted SAT
31% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 50%
A majority of enrolling students did not submit test scores.
University of Chicago Considered 46% submitted SAT
30% submitted ACT
University of Colorado – Boulder Considered 31% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
University of Denver Important 27% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 39%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 38%
University of Florida Important 79% submitted SAT
41% submitted ACT
Test scores required
University of Georgia Important 69.73% submitted SAT
46.69% submitted ACT
Test scores required
University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Considered 40% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 51%
University of Maryland – College Park Considered 41% submitted SAT
7% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 48.35%
University of Massachusetts – Amherst Considered 27% submitted SAT
3.9% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: <40%
University of Miami Very important 32% submitted SAT
21% submitted ACT
University of Michigan Important 52% submitted SAT
18% submitted ACT
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Considered 34% submitted SAT
47% submitted ACT
University of Notre Dame Considered 30% submitted SAT
28% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 63%
University of Pennsylvania Considered 51% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
University of Richmond Important 21% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
University of Rochester Considered 27% submitted SAT
11% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 63%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 49%
University of Texas at Austin  Considered
(Test scores required for fall 2025)
Not released Not released
University of Southern California Important 32% submitted SAT
14% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 38%
Admits submitting test scores: 52%
Enrollees submitting test scores: 44%
University of Vermont Considered 35% submitted SAT
11% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 40%
Admits submitting test scores: 48%
University of Virginia Considered 50% submitted SAT
16% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 59.90%
University of Washington – Seattle Importance of Scores in Admission Decisions: Not Considered (“At the UW, you will not be disadvantaged for sending low scores or for not sending scores. In fact, when reading your application, the reviewers will not see your test scores, if provided. However, test scores that fall above their middle 50% (see the freshman profile for more information) may be considered for a handful of students who may not otherwise be admitted.”) 14% submitted SAT
5% submitted ACT
University of Wisconsin – Madison Considered 16% submitted SAT
38% submitted ACT
Vanderbilt University Important 25% submitted SAT
26% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 53.70%
Admits submitting test scores: Similar to the percentage of applicants who submitted test scores
Vassar College Considered 26% submitted SAT
13% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 40%
Virginia Tech Considered 45% submitted SAT
9% submitted ACT
Wake Forest University  Considered 26% submitted SAT
22% submitted ACT
Washington and Lee University Considered 27% submitted SAT
25% submitted ACT
Enrollees submitting test scores: 52%
Washington University in St. Louis Very important 29% submitted SAT
28% submitted ACT
Applicants submitting test scores: 57%
Enrollees submitted test scores: 56%
Wellesley College Considered 42% submitted SAT
17% submitted ACT
Wesleyan University Considered 52% submitted SAT
19% submitted ACT
Admits submitting test scores: 58%
Williams College Considered 42% submitted SAT
18% submitted ACT
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Test-blind Test-blind Test-blind
Yale University Considered
(Test scores required for fall 2025)
56% submitted SAT
26% submitted ACT

*Data includes any students who submitted both the SAT and ACT.

Keep checking back for updates as more colleges release data!

Not sure whether you should apply test-optional or not? IvyWise can help! Our team of expert college admissions counselors can give a thorough evaluation of your applicant profile and create a strategic plan of action based on your grades, test scores, activities, interests, and more. Contact us today for more information and to set up an Initial Consultation.

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