Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2028

The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the way higher education institutions review applications, with many colleges choosing to adopt a test-optional application review process. While this was the trend for several admissions cycles, many colleges and universities have since reinstated testing requirements. That said, over 2,000 schools across the U.S. remain test optional through at least the 2025-26 admissions cycle. What exactly does test-optional mean, and how does it affect your chances of acceptance in a highly competitive admissions landscape?

What Exactly Is a ‘Test-Optional’ Policy?

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. Some schools may be sticking with test-optional policies at least for a little while longer, so 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. For example, Columbia University has implemented a test-optional policy for the foreseeable future. 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 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 2023-2024 admissions cycle (class of 2028).

College	Importance of Scores in Admission Decisions	Score Submit Rates by Admitted and Matriculated Students*	Additional Data on Score Submission Rates
Amherst College	Very Important	39% submitted SAT 22% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 44% Admits submitting test scores: 66% Enrollees submitting test scores: 58%
Babson College	Very Important	22% submitted SAT 3% submitted ACT
Barnard College	Considered	35% submitted SAT 15% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 49%
Baylor University	Very Important	44% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT
Boston College	Important	30% submitted SAT 15% submitted ACT
Boston University	Considered	33% submitted SAT 10% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 42% Enrollees submitting test scores: 42%
Bowdoin College	Considered	31% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT	Enrollees submitting test scores: 46%
Bryn Mawr College	Considered	64% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT
Bucknell University	Considered	68% submitted SAT 19% submitted ACT
Carleton College	Considered	34% submitted SAT 25% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 62%
Carnegie Mellon University	Considered	53% submitted SAT 22% submitted ACT
Case Western Reserve University	Considered	46% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT
Claremont McKenna College	Considered	26% submitted SAT 13% submitted ACT
College of William & Mary	Very Important	43% submitted SAT 16% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 70% Enrollees submitting test scores: 55%
Columbia University	Considered	44% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT
Connecticut College	Considered	54% submitted SAT 12% submitted ACT
Davidson College	Considered	28% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT
Denison University	Considered	29% submitted SAT 22% submitted ACT
Duke University	Considered	48% submitted SAT 30% submitted ACT	Early Decision admits submitting test scores: 65%
Emory University – Emory Campus	Important	43% submitted SAT 20% submitted ACT
George Washington University	Considered	27% submitted SAT 12% submitted ACT	Enrollees submitting test scores: 36%
Grinnell College	Important	29% submitted SAT 21% submitted ACT
Hamilton College	Considered	34% submitted SAT 16% submitted ACT
Harvey Mudd College	Considered	52% submitted SAT 16% submitted ACT
Haverford College	Considered	39% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT	Enrollees submitting test scores: 55%
Middlebury College	Important	28% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 47%
New York University	Important	28% submitted SAT 10% submitted ACT
Northwestern University	Considered	46% submitted SAT 23% submitted ACT
Pomona College	Considered	36% submitted SAT 14% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 55% Enrollees submitting test scores: 48%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Considered	49% submitted SAT 11% submitted ACT
Rice University	Very Important	48% submitted SAT 22% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 78%
Rochester Institute of Technology	Important	43% submitted SAT 11% submitted ACT
Swarthmore College	Considered	39% submitted SAT 16% submitted ACT
Trinity University	Considered	33% submitted SAT 15% submitted ACT	Admits submitting test scores: 48% Enrollees submitting test scores: 38%
Tufts University	Considered	38% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: ~50% Admits submitting test scores: ~60%
Tulane University	Important	13% submitted SAT 28% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: <50% Admits submitting test scores: ~50% Enrollees submitting test scores: 36%
University of Chicago	Considered	49% submitted SAT 27% submitted ACT
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign	Considered	41% submitted SAT 14% submitted ACT
University of Michigan	Important	51% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Considered	28% submitted SAT 41% submitted ACT
University of Notre Dame	Important	33% submitted SAT 26% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 44% Admits submitting test scores: ~66%
University of Richmond	Important	19% submitted SAT 14% submitted ACT
University of Southern California	Very Important	30% submitted SAT 12% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 36% Admits submitting test scores: 51% Enrollees submitting test scores: 41%
University of Virginia	Considered	46% submitted SAT 14% submitted ACT
Vanderbilt University	Important	27% submitted SAT 25% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: ~50%
Vassar College	Considered	31% submitted SAT 12% submitted ACT	Enrollees submitting test scores: 44%
Wake Forest University	Considered	22% submitted SAT 26% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: ~50%
Washington and Lee University	Considered	24% submitted SAT 20% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 41% Admits submitting test scores: 57% Enrollees submitting test scores: 43%
Washington University in St. Louis	Very Important	29% submitted SAT 28% submitted ACT	Applicants submitting test scores: 56% Enrollees submitting test scores: 55%
Wellesley College	Considered	43% submitted SAT 18% submitted ACT	Enrollees submitting test scores: 57%
Wesleyan University	Considered	41% submitted SAT 17% submitted ACT	Early Decision II admits submitting test scores: 37% Admits across all rounds submitting test scores: 59%
Williams College	Considered	35% submitted SAT 17% 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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Editor’s note: This article was updated to reflect the most recent data available on test submission rates.

Test Score Submit Rates for the Class of 2028

What Exactly Is a ‘Test-Optional’ Policy?

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

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