"Test optional" is an attractive phrase, but what does it really mean?"

If your child is in high school and you’ve researched the university application process, you’ve probably come across the term “test optional” in the last couple of years. It’s a confusing phrase. Why would American universities simply let students choose to not submit their SAT or ACT scores? I’ll do my best to provide answers here.

What does “test optional” mean?

According to The College Board, “If a college or university has a test-optional admissions policy, that means they allow all or some applicants to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT® scores as part of their application. It doesn’t mean that schools aren’t interested in seeing all applicants’ test scores—but if a student doesn’t submit their scores, it won’t be counted against them in the application review.”

Universities claim the policy aims to reduce the emphasis on standardized test scores, provide greater flexibility and access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds, and help level the playing field for students from historically underrepresented groups. 

OK. But what does it REALLY mean?

The real answer is - it’s complicated. 

Like most steps of the university admissions process, the “test optional” element isn’t very transparent. The policies vary from one university to the next. Additionally, you should trust university admissions offices and university rankings about as far as you could throw them. That’s my very Texan way of saying that you probably shouldn’t trust them. There are lots of reasons to question universities’ motives, including the fraudulence of many of the “ranking” systems that exist to generate universities’ prestige. Parents need to keep in mind that universities are money-machines, and they have their own reasons for pushing the “test-optional” policy.

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If a university policy seems too good to be true, it probably is, and that includes the test optional policy.

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As Susan Powers at Woodlands Test Prep skillfully points out, “Colleges experience at least two changes when they go test optional: average test scores rise and admission rates decrease.  Average test scores rise because students who are lower-scoring do not report their scores, so the overall average rises for the incoming class.  Admission rates fall because students (incorrectly) perceive that it is easier to be accepted and more students apply while the number admitted stays the same.”

The big secret of the move toward “test optional” applications is that these policies aren’t designed to benefit students. They are designed to make selective universities look more selective. At the end of the day, this is just another marketing scam. The top universities and the famous US News and World Report university rankings and other ranking systems are very aware that the more famous they are, the more under qualified students will apply, decreasing the universities’ acceptance rates and making the universities seem more competitive. 

The truth is, students should still submit their test scores when they apply to universities, even “test optional” ones. Especially overseas students. Standardized tests are a great indicator of a student’s English proficiency in addition to providing a measure of their academic ability. Also, you shouldn’t trust that university admissions officers won’t count exclusion of test scores against your student. Not submitting your scores doesn’t look good, even if a policy says it’s ok. 

I know that’s not what you were hoping to hear.

I know. But you shouldn’t lose hope. To be completely honest, if your child’s standardized test scores are so low that you’ve considered not submitting them at all, it’s probably best to follow the advice I most often give to parents of students who want to send their students to the US - either apply for a test-blind university (there are about 40 in the US) or stop trying to get into the most expensive, most competitive, least cost-effective universities in the world. They want your money and the prestige that your child’s application gives them, not your wonderful child. There are plenty of amazing state schools, liberal arts colleges, and lesser-known universities that would love to welcome your child into a nurturing and truly educational environment where your child will flourish. Test score reporting might be optional these days, but your child’s well-being isn’t.