I've been seeing so much about test optional policies recently and got me kind of confused. Do most colleges still require SAT scores, or is it becoming more of an optional thing? I'm so lost.
The landscape for standardized testing in college admissions has indeed changed considerably in recent years, largely sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many schools shifted to a test-optional policy, meaning that students can choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores with their application.
Notably, a number of colleges have extended their test-optional policies into the 2024-2025 application cycle and beyond. This includes highly selective schools such as Columbia University, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and the University of Chicago.
However, some schools have gone back to requiring test scores as of the 2024-2025 application cycle. This includes Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Purdue University, Brown University, Yale University, The University of Texas at Austin, and the California Institute of Technology.
Keep in mind that even in test-optional scenarios, if you have a strong SAT or ACT score that would be an asset to your application, it could still be helpful to submit it. Conversely, if your score isn't as strong but other aspects of your application are exceptional, you might choose to apply without your scores in a test-optional setting.
Also, it's always important to check the specific requirements for each school you're interested in, as they can vary. Some programs or majors may still require a test score even if the overall university does not.
In addition, California State and University of California systems are both test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle, meaning they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
So in summary, it's a bit of a mix at the moment with some colleges requiring test scores and others not. Always check the specific requirements of the schools you're applying to.
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