Test-optional admissions: Fact vs. fiction

The information gap around test-optional admissions: What students need to know before applying

Test-optional admissions policies have reshaped the college application process. While these policies promise flexibility and greater access, they have also introduced confusion, misinformation, and unintended consequences, especially for students without strong advising support.

If you’re a high school student, parent, or counselor trying to decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, understanding how test-optional admissions actually work is crucial.

The right decision isn’t about following trends or headlines: it’s about using clear, data-backed information to present your strongest application.

Key insights

• Test-optional policies can unintentionally disadvantage some students.
• When colleges don’t provide clear admissions data, confusion grows, and inequities widen.
• A combination of GPA and test scores offers the most balanced view of college readiness.
• Test-optional admissions can lead to hidden challenges, including remedial coursework and higher costs.
• The best application decisions are grounded in transparent data, not assumptions or rumors.

The changing role of standardized tests

Standardized exams like the SAT and ACT are no longer universal requirements for college admissions. Thousands of colleges now offer test-optional policies, giving students the choice to submit scores or apply without them. This flexibility can be helpful, but it also adds a critical decision point.

Should you submit your test scores?

There’s no single right answer. Each college evaluates applications differently, and each student’s academic profile is unique. Navigating today’s admissions landscape successfully means understanding why a school is test-optional, how applications are reviewed, and what role test scores still play behind the scenes.

Do test-optional policies actually improve equity?

Test-optional admissions are often introduced to increase fairness and access, particularly for students from underrepresented or lower-income backgrounds. By removing standardized test requirements, colleges aim to reduce barriers tied to test prep costs and unequal access to resources.

However, research suggests the outcomes are more complicated.

A widely cited National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) study found that students with greater advantages, such as access to high-quality schools and test preparation, are still more likely to submit strong test scores under test-optional policies. Meanwhile, students with fewer resources often choose not to submit scores, shifting the weight of their applications to essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations.

These components, however, are also shaped by unequal access to opportunities.

As a result, selective colleges frequently admit a higher percentage of applicants who submit test scores, even when they are officially test-optional. This can cause non-submitters, as a group, to appear less competitive, potentially widening equity gaps rather than closing them.

It’s also important to note that not all test-optional policies are driven purely by equity goals. In some cases, schools adopt them to increase application volume and boost perceived selectivity. Without broader structural changes, test-optional policies alone are not a cure-all for inequity.

Why admissions data transparency matters

As admissions policies evolve, many colleges have reduced the amount of data they publicly share. In the past, schools routinely published acceptance rates, average test scores, and detailed student profiles. Today, some institutions withhold this information to discourage comparison or avoid misinterpretation.

For students, this lack of transparency has real consequences.

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), applicants who submit test scores to test-optional schools often achieve higher acceptance rates. While colleges may state that scores are optional, the absence of clear data makes it difficult to understand how applications are truly evaluated.

This information gap disproportionately affects first-generation students and families without access to private counselors or insider knowledge. When admissions criteria are unclear, decision-making becomes riskier, and the process feels less fair.

Transparent, accessible admissions data empowers students to effectively highlight their strengths. When colleges clearly explain how test scores factor into admissions decisions, students can apply with confidence rather than guesswork.

What matters more in college admissions: GPA, test scores, or both?

A long-standing debate in admissions centers on which academic indicators best predict college success. High school GPA reflects sustained performance over time, while standardized test scores provide a consistent benchmark across schools nationwide.

Each measure has limitations:

• GPAs can vary widely due to grading standards and course rigor.
• Test scores can be influenced by test familiarity and access to preparation resources.

Using GPA and test scores together offers an accurate picture of a student’s readiness for college-level work. Strong grades paired with solid test scores reinforce each other. When one metric is weaker, the other can provide valuable context.

For students, building strength in both areas, when possible, offers the most flexibility. For colleges, considering multiple academic indicators leads to more informed admissions decisions and better student outcomes.

Hidden consequences of test-optional admissions

While test-optional policies have expanded access for some students, they have also introduced less visible challenges after enrollment.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that students admitted without test scores are more likely to be placed into remedial, non-credit courses. These classes can delay progress toward a degree, increase tuition costs, and affect student confidence and retention.

Another factor to consider is institutional strategy. Some colleges use test-optional policies to increase application numbers and report only the highest scores they receive. This can improve rankings metrics without necessarily improving student support or academic fit.

Before deciding whether to withhold scores, students should research whether their target colleges:

• Place non-submitters into remedial courses at higher rates
• Offer strong academic support programs
• Publish data comparing outcomes for submitters vs. non-submitters

Test-optional vs. test-blind: Know the difference

Not all flexible testing policies are the same.

• Test-optional colleges allow students to choose whether to submit scores.
• Test-blind colleges do not consider test scores, even if submitted.

This distinction is critical. At test-blind schools, students should focus entirely on coursework, essays, and activities. At test-optional schools, strong test scores can still meaningfully strengthen an application.

How to decide whether to submit scores

• Confirm whether each college is test-optional or test-blind.
• Compare your scores to the school’s published (or historical) ranges.
• Submit scores if they reinforce your academic profile.
• Base decisions on official policies and data, not social media trends or hearsay.

Final thoughts: Look beyond the headlines

Test-optional admissions policies have changed the application process, but they haven’t eliminated the importance of academic data. Many colleges still value standardized test scores, even when they aren’t required, and reduced transparency can make the process harder to navigate, especially for students without strong guidance.

The strongest applications are built on critical thinking, self-awareness, and reliable information. A solid GPA combined with good test performance remains one of the clearest indicators of college readiness.

Before applying, dig deeper than policy headlines. Investigate each college’s actual practices, ask informed questions, and make decisions based on evidence, not assumptions. In an evolving admissions landscape, students who understand the data are best positioned to succeed.