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, like Harvard University, 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, which views standardized tests as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their academic preparedness where socioeconomic disadvantages may otherwise prohibit them from doing so.

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 2021-2022 admissions cycle (Class of 2026).

College	Score Submit Rates by Admitted and Matriculated Students*	Additional Data on Test-Submission Rates
Amherst College	40% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT	Data not released
Barnard College	33% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 53% Applicants submitting test scores: 42%
Bates College	25% submitted SAT 14% submitted ACT	Data not released
Boston College	Common Data Set not yet published	Data not released
Boston University	23% submitted SAT 12% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 54%
Bowdoin College	58% submitted SAT 30% submitted ACT	Enrolled students submitting test scores: 54%
Brown University	54% submitted SAT 27% submitted ACT	Data not released
Columbia University	45% submitted SAT 24% submitted ACT	Data not released
Cornell University	43% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT	Enrolled students submitting test scores: 48.9%
Dartmouth College	Data not released	Data not released
Duke University	Common Data Set not yet published	Data not released
Emory University	41% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 69%
Harvard University	55% submitted SAT 28% submitted ACT	Data not released
Harvey Mudd College	43% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT	Data not released
Middlebury College	31% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: over 50%
Northeastern University	33% submitted ACT 11% submitted ACT	Data not released
Northwestern University	47% submitted SAT 31% submitted ACT	Data not released
Pomona College	35% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 55%
Princeton University	60% admitted SAT 25% admitted ACT	Data not released
Rice University	53% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT	Data not released
Stanford University	49% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT	Data not released
Swarthmore College	42% submitted SAT 19% submitted ACT	Data not released
Tufts University	37% submitted SAT 19% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: Just under 60% Applicant submitting test scores: 50%
Tulane University	16% submitted SAT 34% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 54%
University of Michigan	54% submitted SAT 24% submitted ACT	Data not released
University of Notre Dame	54% submitted SAT 46% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 67% Applicants submitting test scores: 50%
University of Pennsylvania	48% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT	Data not released
University of Southern California	34% submitted SAT 16% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: Approximately 50%
University of Virginia	Common Data Set not yet published	Data not released
Vanderbilt University	29% submitted SAT 32% submitted ACT	Data not released
Washington University in St. Louis	27% submitted SAT 33% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 58%
Wellesley College	40% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: Approximately 60% Applicants submitting test scores: Approximately 45%
Wesleyan University	52% submitted SAT 24% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 60%
Williams College	41% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT	Data not released
Yale University	59% submitted SAT 29% submitted ACT	Data not released

*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.