Do SAT Scores Actually Matter to Colleges in 2023?
As more schools go test-optional, it’s important to understand what that means for students who are going to be applying to college soon.
Schools go test-optional in an attempt to increase diversity and be less reliant on standardized test scores in admissions decisions.
How Much Do Colleges Care About SATⓇ Scores?
As more and more colleges adopt test-optional or test-flexible policies, 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.
First, 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 admissions 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. By 2019, more than 1000 schools were test-optional, and by 2023 that number has grown to over 1900. National liberal arts universities have historically led the push to become test-optional, but now all types of schools have adopted test-optional policies. There are test-optional schools all across the country. Test-optional schools can be public or private, large or small.
Some well-known test-optional schools are:
Brandeis University
Bryn Mawr College
Bowdoin College
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 and more responsive 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 a school’s diversity.
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 test 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 31% of students in Bowdoin’s class of 2023 chose NOT to submit their standardized test scores. That means that over two-thirds of that class submitted their test scores.What schools aren’t test-optional?
The Colgate University, Barnard College, and other top private schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Georgetown University, are not test-optional. Many of the top 50 schools do still require standardized tests.
I'm confused! What's the bottom line?
Taking -- and doing your best on -- the SATⓇ or ACTⓇ exam 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.
