Do SAT Scores Actually Matter To Colleges?
Know what it means to be test-optional!
Find out if most applicants actually submit their test scores!
Consider if you have to take any standardized tests!
Identify which schools will be test-optional in the future!
How Much Do Your SAT Scores Matter?
As a result of the pandemic, many colleges continue to adopt test-optional or test-flexible policies while other colleges have taken the opportunity to become permanently test-optional. Students and parents are increasingly asking if SAT scores actually matter to colleges.
It’s a reasonable question - if the schools you are interested in don’t require SAT scores, why bother stressing about the SAT exam? For some students, the move towards test-optional does indeed mean that SAT scores don’t matter as much as they once did. However, for many students and colleges, SAT scores are still important.
Some Background: What Does Test-Optional Mean?
Test-optional schools don’t require applicants to submit test scores as part of their application. If students decide to submit test scores, the admissions office will consider those scores in making decisions. But if students don’t want to submit their scores, they don’t have to. This is a great idea for students who feel their test scores don’t accurately show their potential or if there is a large gap between a student’s grades and test scores.
More schools each year are going test-optional. As of 2021, more than 1500 schools are test-optional. National liberal arts universities have historically led the push to become test-optional, but now all types of schools have adopted similar policies. There are test-optional schools all across the country, whether they be public or private, large or small.
Some well-known test-optional schools are:
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Bowdoin College
University of Arizona
Pitzer College
Wesleyan University
George Washington University
University of Chicago
Why Do Schools Go Test-Optional?
Schools have been adopting test-optional policies as part of a push to be less reliant on standardized test scores in admissions decisions. This comes in response to criticism that standardized test scores don’t show a complete picture of an applicant’s abilities.
Additionally, some evidence shows that going test-optional helps increase school diversity. Furthermore, with the coronavirus complicating the lives of many students, schools had further reason to go test-optional.
Here’s what Bowdoin’s test-optional policy says: “Bowdoin College was the first school to eliminate standardized testing requirements. That was 50 years ago. Since 1969, we've been selecting the right applicants for Bowdoin, using only the materials that we require of you: your transcripts, your writing, and how your teachers talk about you. This policy allows applicants to decide for themselves whether or not their SAT or ACT results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential.”
Does That Mean No One Applying Submitted Their SAT Exam Scores?
NO! It’s important to note that only 30% of students in Bowdoin’s class of 2024 chose NOT to submit their standardized test scores.
That means that over two-thirds of that class submitted their test scores. While not submitting your scores does not put you at a disadvantage, submitting strong scores can enhance your application.
At certain schools, test scores are completely irrelevant due to test-blind policies. This means that there is no advantage or disadvantage to submitting scores. Schools with test-blind policies do not consider test scores at all in their admissions.
Does Applying Test-Optional Mean You Don’t Need to Take Any Standardized Tests?
Not necessarily. More and more high schools are taking part in SAT School Day, so you may take it at your school even if you are only planning on applying test-optional.
Some of the top schools in the United States still require test scores, so if you want to apply to any of those schools, you’ll still need to take the SAT or ACT. Additionally, as the Bowdoin example above shows, you may want to include test scores to make your application as strong as you can, even if you are applying to schools with test-optional policies.
Some students are required to submit test scores even to test-optional schools. This often applies to homeschooled students, students who want to apply to certain majors/programs, and international students.
Even if you are only applying to test-optional schools, you should send your test scores if:
Your scores are above average for the school, even if they are not as high as you want.
You feel that your test scores accurately reflect your academic abilities; you are proud of your scores.
Moving Forward: What Schools Will Be Test-Optional in the Future?
There is much deliberation about the future of standardized tests in college admissions processes.
Some schools, such as Stanford, Harvard, and Yale are currently only test-optional for 2022. The University of California schools, on the other hand, will be test-blind until 2024, meaning test scores will not be considered at all, even if submitted. Other well-known private schools are extending their test-optional policies at their discretion, some lasting until 2023, others until 2024, and even some until 2026! Finally, a small group of schools has implemented a permanent test-optional policy that requires certain criteria to be met in terms of grade point average (GPA) and/or class rank.
What's the Bottom Line?
Taking - and doing your best on - the SAT or ACT gives you the most flexibility. You can apply to any college, whether it’s test-optional or not. If your scores are an accurate representation of your abilities, they will only strengthen your application. Even if you don’t use your scores to apply for college, the experience of studying for and taking a difficult standardized exam will help you as you transition to college.
For better or worse, standardized tests aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
