Enhance grad school offers with smarter test-optional moves

Should you submit GRE scores? A strategic guide to test-optional graduate admissions

TL;DR: How to decide quickly

• Submit your test scores if they are at or above your target program’s average.
• Strong scores can boost admission odds and unlock merit scholarships.
• If your GPA or background is weaker, a high test score can strengthen your application.
• If your scores are below average, focus on essays, experience, and recommendations instead.

Understanding test-optional policies in graduate admissions

In recent years, test-optional policies have significantly changed how graduate schools evaluate applicants. Once considered mandatory, standardized tests like the GRE are now frequently optional. Accelerated by the pandemic, this shift has altered expectations for both students and admissions committees.

Applicants now face an important question: Should you submit test scores if they aren’t required? The answer depends on your overall profile, your target programs, and how your scores compare to those of admitted students.

Should you submit test scores in test-optional admissions?

Test-optional admissions allow you to decide whether to include standardized test scores such as the GRE, SAT, or ACT. However, “test-optional” does not mean “test-blind.” Most programs will still consider your scores if you submit them, and strong scores can improve your chances.

Data from schools like Georgetown University show that applicants with strong test scores are often admitted at higher rates. This reflects a broader trend: test scores remain a valuable signal of academic readiness.

When submitting scores helps

• Your scores are at or above the program’s average
• Your GPA doesn’t fully reflect your academic ability
• You come from a lesser-known institution
• You want to strengthen your candidacy for competitive programs

When you might skip submitting scores

• Your scores fall below the program’s average
• Your GPA and experience are already strong
• Your application tells a compelling story without them

The real impact of standardized tests on scholarships

One often overlooked benefit of standardized testing is financial. High test scores can directly translate into merit-based scholarships and tuition savings.

Many universities award automatic scholarships based on score thresholds. In some cases, strong scores can lead to tens of thousands of dollars in aid over the course of a degree.

If cost is a concern, investing in test preparation can yield a strong return (not just in admissions outcomes, but in affordability).

Responding to grade inflation and holistic admissions

Admissions committees increasingly recognize that GPAs alone are not always reliable indicators of academic performance. Grade inflation has made it harder to distinguish top students based on grades alone.

As a result, schools now place greater emphasis on:

• Work experience and internships
• Research and academic projects
• Leadership and extracurricular activities
• Personal statements and recommendation letters

These elements help provide a more complete picture of your abilities, motivation, and fit for a program.

However, these factors are also more subjective. This makes standardized tests, when strong, an important complementary signal of readiness.

The two-by-two testing decision framework

Use this simple framework to decide whether to submit your test scores:

GPATest scoreWhat to doHighHighSubmit both to maximize impactHighLowConsider applying test-optionalLowHighSubmit scores to strengthen your profileLowLowFocus on improving other application components

This framework helps you align your strategy with your strengths and avoid common mistakes.

Professional programs and standardized testing

While many graduate programs have adopted test-optional policies, most professional schools, such as law and medical programs, still require exams like the LSAT and MCAT.

These programs rely on standardized tests to ensure students are prepared for rigorous coursework and licensing exams. Strong scores remain a critical factor in both admission and long-term success.

Where graduate admissions are heading

Test-optional policies are likely here to stay, but they are changing the competitive landscape.

As more applicants choose not to submit scores, those who do often have higher-than-average results. This “self-selection” effect is driving up average reported scores and making strong submissions even more impactful.

Applicants should:

• Research score averages for target programs
• Evaluate their full application honestly
• Make strategic decisions about score submission

Navigating graduate admissions: Strategic choices matter

Success in today’s graduate admissions process requires more than strong grades alone. Applicants must present a well-rounded profile that highlights both academic and non-academic strengths.

Standardized tests still play an important role, especially for scholarships, competitive programs, and applicants whose transcripts don’t tell the full story.

By using tools like the two-by-two framework and understanding how test-optional policies work, you can make informed decisions that improve both your admission chances and financial outcomes.

Take the next step

Not sure whether to submit your test scores?

Compare your scores to your target programs, evaluate your full profile, and create a strategy that highlights your strengths. A thoughtful approach can make the difference between an average application and a standout one.