Is Test Optional Really Test Optional in 2025?

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Alessandro Buratti

July 2, 2025

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In the wake of COVID-19, many colleges adopted test-optional policies, no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores to apply.  At first glance, this seemed like a win for students who felt their test-taking didn’t reflect their full potential. But as more application cycles pass, the reality has become clearer:

Test-optional doesn’t always mean test-blind—and it definitely doesn’t mean test-neutral.

If you’re a high school junior or senior weighing whether or not to submit your scores, here’s our no-nonsense guide to what you need to know in 2025.

You’re Being Compared to Your Peers

College admissions is highly contextual. That means your application is not evaluated in a vacuum—it’s reviewed in light of where you go to school, what courses were available to you, and what your classmates submitted.

So if most of your peers at your high school are submitting strong test scores—and you don’t—it might raise questions.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be penalized automatically. But it does mean that not submitting scores is not a neutral decision in every case. Especially at highly selective colleges, test scores can be used as a differentiator when comparing otherwise similar applicants.

Ask yourself: Will your application stand out without scores, especially in your high school context?

Know the Median Score—and Your Odds

Colleges may not require test scores, but many still publish average or median SAT/ACT scores for admitted students.

Why?

Because those scores still count—for rankings, institutional reporting, and internal benchmarking.

  • Ergo, even if they have gone test-optional, competitive schools still want to keep their average test scores high. Therefore, be strategic with your applications: If your score is above the school’s 50th percentile, it could strengthen your application. 
  • If it’s below the median, holding it back may be wise.

Remember, however, that if your peers are submitting scores and you are not, this may decrease your overall chances of being accepted if you have otherwise similarly attractive profiles.

Pro tip: Use tools like Common Data Set reports or the admissions website of the school itself to research current score ranges.

What If You Choose Not to Submit?

If you go test-optional, everything else in your application must shine. That includes:

  • A strong GPA with a challenging course load
  • Top AP or IB scores (if offered at your school)
  • Well-developed extracurriculars with depth and impact
  • Compelling personal and supplemental essays
  • Exceptional letters of recommendation

In other words: no weak links.

Keep in mind that, even with test scores, because you have so many students applying without them, you have a whole new pool of applicants competing for the same spots. If those applicants have stellar levels of achievement and demonstrated excellence, they may very well edge out some applicants, whether test-optional or not.

Without test scores, admissions officers will scrutinize the other components of your application even more closely. They’ll be looking for clear evidence that you’re intellectually curious, college-ready, and a strong fit for their academic community.

Scholarships, Majors, and International Students

Even at test-optional schools, certain programs may still require or strongly recommend scores:

  • Merit scholarships may depend on SAT/ACT benchmarks
  • STEM or business majors may look for quantitative validation
  • International students may be expected to submit test scores in addition to TOEFL/IELTS

It is also possible that some schools will expect to see additional materials (extra recommendation letters, examples of research, etc.) in lieu of test scores that attest to one’s abilities, especially when it comes to quantitative and verbal skills. 

Before applying test-optional, review each school’s fine print. Requirements vary not only by institution, but also by program and applicant background.

Look beyond the admissions tab—check financial aid, program-specific requirements, and international admissions policies.

So… Should You Submit?

Here’s a simple framework we use with students at AtomicMind:

Submit your scores if:

  • They’re at or above the school’s median range
  • You attend a high school where many peers are submitting
  • They complement a strong academic record and overall profile

Don’t submit your scores if:

  • They’re significantly below the school’s median range
  • They may raise questions that your application doesn’t fully explain
  • Your application is outstanding in every other respect

But above all: Don’t skip the tests just because you can.

If you have the time, resources, and opportunity to take them, it’s still worth trying. Great scores can help—and mediocre scores don’t have to hurt if left out.

Final Word: Strategy Is Everything

Test-optional policies offer flexibility—but they also require strategy.

Every student’s situation is unique. What works for your classmate may not work for you. That’s why we advise our students to approach this decision thoughtfully and early in the application process.

At AtomicMind, we help students build custom admissions strategies that align with their strengths, goals, and school contexts. Whether you decide to submit scores or not, the goal is the same: to present your most compelling, authentic self to every college on your list.

About the Author: Alessandro graduated from Yale University with a major in History and earned his M.A. in International Economics and Politics at Johns Hopkins. While in college, he studied in the UK as a Visiting Student at Oxford University, and later served as a Yale Alumni Interviewer. Alessandro brings analytical depth, empathy, and creativity to his role of Head Advisor at AtomicMind, where he empowers students to craft powerful narratives grounded in authenticity and originality.

College Admissions
Testing
College

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