Definition of 'test blind' in college admissions?

Hey all, I've been hearing this term 'test blind' a lot while looking at colleges. What exactly does it mean and how is it different from 'test optional'?

In the realm of college admissions, "test blind" means that the college or university does not consider standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) at all during their admissions process, even if a student decides to submit their scores. So, essentially, test scores will not help or harm your application in any way.

On the other hand, "test optional" schools allow students the choice of whether or not to submit their standardized test scores as part of their application. If a student chooses to submit their scores, they will be considered, but if not, that won't negatively impact their application.

Fundamentally, the difference between 'test blind' and 'test optional' is in how the admissions process utilizes standardized test scores: in 'test blind', they are completely disregarded, whereas in 'test optional', they could potentially enhance an application if they are strong, but not submitting them won't hinder the application.

For instance, if a student's performance is stronger in coursework and extracurricular activities compared to their performance on standardized tests, they might choose to apply to “test optional” universities and decide not to submit their test scores. With “test blind” universities, this choice is made for them.

There aren't many test-blind schools out there, but if you want a comprehensive list, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/test-blind-colleges

Or, if you'd like to learn more about how to navigate the more prevalent test-optional policies, I'd check out this post: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional

Good luck with your college process - I hope this overview helps you understand testing policies better!