The SAT has changed dramatically over the past few years. It's now fully digital, shorter than its paper predecessor, and adaptive, meaning the questions you see depend in part on your performance earlier in the exam.

At the same time, colleges have been reevaluating their standardized testing policies. Some institutions have reinstated testing requirements, others have remained test-optional, and a handful have adopted "test-flexible" approaches instead.

This has left many students wondering: Can colleges superscore across the old paper SAT and the new Digital SAT? And should applicants still expect most colleges to remain test-optional?

The answers are encouraging, but they depend on the institution.

Can Colleges Superscore Between the Paper SAT and the Digital SAT?

In many cases, yes.

Because the Digital SAT uses the same 1600-point scoring scale as the previous paper version, colleges that superscore SAT results generally continue to superscore across testing formats. If your highest Reading and Writing score came from a paper SAT and your highest Math score came from a Digital SAT (or vice versa), many institutions will combine those section scores to create your highest possible superscore.

The College Board has confirmed that paper and digital SAT scores are directly comparable and remain on the same scoring scale.

However, superscoring is always an institutional policy, not a College Board policy. Students should verify each university's testing policies before deciding which scores to submit.

Do All Colleges Superscore?

No.

Many highly selective colleges, including institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, Duke, Georgetown, and Vanderbilt, currently superscore SAT results, but not every college does.

Some universities review only your highest single sitting, while others evaluate every score you submit. Fortunately, most admissions offices clearly explain their testing policies on their admissions websites (such as those we have linked up above).

Before registering for another SAT, make sure you understand how your target colleges evaluate multiple test scores. If a school superscores, improving just one section could significantly strengthen your application.

Is Test-Optional Going Away?

The short answer is: partially, but not entirely.

Over the past two years, several highly selective universities have announced that they are reinstating standardized testing requirements after temporarily adopting test-optional policies during the pandemic.

Among the most notable examples are:

1. Harvard University: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements  

2. Yale University (which has adopted a test-flexible policy allowing applicants to submit SAT, ACT, AP, or IB results): https://admissions.yale.edu/standardized-testing 
3. Brown University: https://admission.brown.edu/first-year/standardized-tests 
4. Dartmouth College: https://home.dartmouth.edu/admissions 

These decisions were based on each institution's internal research suggesting that standardized testing can provide useful context, particularly when evaluating applicants from different educational backgrounds.

But Hundreds of Colleges Remain Test-Optional

While some of the most selective universities have reinstated testing requirements, the majority of U.S. colleges continue to offer test-optional admissions.

Organizations such as FairTest maintain regularly updated lists of institutions that do not require SAT or ACT scores.

Many universities have announced multi-year or permanent test-optional policies, while others continue reviewing their admissions requirements annually.

Because policies continue to evolve, students should always verify testing requirements directly through each college's admissions website rather than relying on outdated lists or social media posts.

Does Test-Optional Mean Test-Blind?

No, and this distinction is important.

A test-optional college allows students to decide whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores.

A test-blind college will not consider standardized test scores at all, even if applicants submit them.

The University of California system, for example, remains test-blind for freshman admissions. Understanding the difference can help students decide whether investing additional time in standardized testing is worthwhile.

Should You Still Take the SAT?

For many students, the answer is yes.

Even if some colleges on your list remain test-optional, a strong SAT score can still strengthen an application, qualify you for merit scholarships, or satisfy testing requirements at institutions that have reinstated standardized testing.

Additionally, your college list may evolve. Students often add or remove schools throughout junior and senior year. Taking the SAT early gives you more flexibility later.

That doesn't mean every student should submit scores everywhere. If your SAT score falls well below the middle 50% range for a particular institution and the college remains test-optional, it may be strategically better not to submit it.

The College Board's BigFuture website provides score ranges and admissions information for thousands of colleges.

How Should You Build Your Testing Strategy?

Rather than asking whether colleges are test-optional, ask a more useful question: "Which testing policy applies to the colleges I'm actually considering?"

Your strategy should depend on your individual college list, academic profile, and timeline.

Students applying to Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, or other institutions that now require or strongly recommend testing should prioritize preparing for the SAT or ACT.

Students applying primarily to institutions that remain test-optional have more flexibility and can decide whether their scores meaningfully strengthen their applications.

Either way, the best strategy is to research each institution individually rather than assuming every college follows the same policy.

Final Thoughts: Testing Policies Continue to Evolve

College admissions has entered a new phase. The question is no longer whether colleges are "bringing back the SAT;" it's that different institutions are making different decisions based on their own admissions philosophies.

The good news is that paper SAT scores and Digital SAT scores remain comparable, and many colleges continue to superscore across formats. At the same time, students should expect testing policies to keep evolving over the coming years.

Before finalizing your testing plan, review the admissions website for every college on your list and pay close attention to whether a school is test-required, test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind.

Need Help With Your Testing Strategy? 

At AtomicMind, we help students develop personalized testing strategies that reflect the latest admissions policies at their target schools. Whether you're deciding whether to retake the SAT, submit your scores, or build a balanced college list, our advisors can help you navigate an admissions landscape that continues to change.