What "Test-Optional" Actually Means to a College Admissions Application: Busting The "Test-Optional" Myth
- Nathan Hurwitz
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
In the early 2020s, many colleges and universities shifted toward "test-optional" policy. Most of those have returned to requiring the SAT or ACT exam. One myth has taken hold among families: if a school is test-optional, scores don't matter anymore. That's not quite right.
What test-optional actually promises
A test-optional policy means a college or university will not reject an college admissions application without an SAT or ACT score. However, a strong score cana still meaningfully strengthen a college admissions application at that school, particularly for merit scholarships or competitive majors.
The real question is school-by-school
Some colleges remain genuinely score-agnostic in their admissions policy. Others are test-optional in name but still lean on scores for specific programs. The right decision about whether to submit depends on the individual school's data and the individual student's score, not on a blanket rule.
What to do about it
• Check each school's mid-50% test score range for admitted students, when published.
• Compare a student's score to that range before deciding whether to submit, school by school.
• Don't assume one school's test-optional policy tells you anything about another school's.
The Hurwitz Take
I tell families to treat test-optional as a data problem, not a philosophy. Look at the actual numbers for each school before deciding, and let the numbers, not the headlines, make the call.
Ready for a clear, honest read on where your student stands? Grab a free College Readiness Assessment, or book a $250 / 55-minute College Readiness session with Dr. Nathan Hurwitz — no long-term package required. hurwitzadmissions.com | nathan@hurwitzadmissions.com | (203) 613-9262 |
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