Are SAT Score Still Required by Most Colleges?

Despite all the talk about colleges turning test-optional, do most colleges still require SAT scores for acceptance? Just trying to figure out how significant the SAT is in my preparation for college applications. Thanks!

Whether an SAT score is required or not entirely depends on the college you're applying to. Yes, many colleges have adopted test-optional policies in recent years, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have decided to continue this policy for the 2024-2025 application cycle, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and New York University, while others have reverted back to requiring standardized test scores, including Dartmouth College, Purdue University, and Harvard University.

That being said, even if a college is test-optional, this doesn't necessarily mean that the SAT (or other standardized tests) aren't significant. For some schools, if you do choose to submit a test score, it will factor into your admissions decision. However, at these test-optional schools, not submitting a score shouldn't penalize you—instead, the admissions committee will place greater emphasis on other aspects of your application, like your GPA, curriculum rigor, essays, extracurricular activities, etc.

Nevertheless, a strong SAT score can generally only aid your application, as it can serve as one more data point that attests to your academic abilities. So, if you feel you can achieve a strong score, it may still be worth preparing for and taking the SAT, even if you're only applying to test-optional schools.

Remember, it's always crucial to research the specific requirements of the colleges you're interested in to ensure you're meeting all their admissions criteria.