What You Need to Know About Test-Optional Colleges

Most high school students prepare to take college entrance exams, including the SAT and ACT, especially in their junior year. However, when you go to apply to schools, you might just see various notes regarding these exams on college applications. Some schools might state that SAT or ACT scores are required, while others say “test optional.” But what does this mean for you? Do you have to take the SAT, ACT, or CLT to go to college in 2025 and beyond? In this article, we dive into the various terms and policies colleges can use, including test required, test optional, test blind, and test flexible, so you can make an informed decision regarding your college prep.

Test Required Vs. Test Optional Vs. Test Blind Vs. Test Flexible

Most colleges and universities will have one of these four terms or versions of them on their admissions page, referring to whether the SAT or ACT is required for acceptance. Here’s what they mean:

Test Required

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Test required means the college in question requires you to submit at least one SAT or ACT score along with your application. If you fail to submit a score, you likely won’t be accepted. Students applying to test-required schools should research the average scores of previously accepted students so they know what to aim for on their own exam.

In some cases, colleges waive the test requirement if you have a high enough GPA.

Many colleges and universities still require SAT/ACT scores from applicants, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and University of Florida, among others.

What is Test Optional?

Test optional means the student can choose to submit their ACT or SAT score…or not. It’s completely up to the individual. These schools likely consider other aspects of the application more important than the standardized test results, such as the student’s academic record, college essay, and extracurricular activities. You can see how important ACT/SAT scores are by checking out your school’s Common Data Set.

Some test optional schools include Columbia University, University of Puget Sound, and Bryn Mawr College, but many colleges have announced they’ll be returning to “test required” for upcoming application cycles.

You might see “test recommended” on your college’s admissions page. This still means test scores aren’t required, but you should probably still submit them. If you don’t and you’re tied with another student with similar credentials who did send in their ACT/SAT score, they could get the acceptance letter instead of you.

For instance, Rice University and Stony Brook University don’t require test results, but do recommend submitting them.

Currently, there are more than 2,000 test optional schools, but many colleges have announced they’ll be returning to “test required” for upcoming application cycles. Be sure to double check the requirements of the schools you apply to.

What is Test Blind?

Test blind means the college not only doesn’t require SAT/ACT scores, but they won’t even look at them if a student submits them with their application. You might also see this term referred to as “score-free” or “test free.”

Some schools that are test blind include Boise State University, Reed College, and the University of New England, as well as the University of California and California State University systems.

What is Test Flexible?

Test flexible is similar to test optional – you can choose whether to submit your test scores – but these schools also accept other exam results, such as an International Baccalaureate (IB) test or Advanced Placement (AP) score.

For example, New York University accepts the ACT, SAT, IB diploma, three AP scores, three IB Higher-Level scores, and/or different international tests – if you even want to send in any testing.

Why Do Some Colleges Require the SAT/ACT and Others Don’t?

There is an ongoing debate about the validity of standardized testing exams. Some argue that they aren’t an accurate representation of a student’s academic aptitude. Others argue that too much focus is put on obtaining a high score that other elements of a college app are unfairly neglected.

Different schools have different opinions on the ACT and SAT, and their application requirements will reflect their philosophies.

Test optional schools have been around for decades, but they’ve become more commonplace since COVID. Colleges recognized the difficulty students faced preparing for and taking the SAT/ACT over the past few years. However, now that the pandemic is behind us, many “test optional colleges” are turning back into “test required colleges.”

How Do You Know If You Should Submit Your SAT/ACT Scores?

Usually, you can see where your school stands on the SAT/ACT by visiting their admissions website. If they don’t have any information listed, reach out to their admissions department.

However, keep in mind that schools can and do change their policies. Just because a college was test optional last year, doesn’t mean they’ll be test optional this year. For example, Stanford University and Dartmouth College were test optional but are now reinstating the SAT/ACT requirement. After fall 2027, Vanderbilt University will also once again require the scores.

Caltech used to be test blind and started requiring exams for Fall 2025 applications.

Many colleges still require SAT or ACT scores, and many that are test optional recommend sending yours in. Your score could even impact your admission chances at fully test optional schools. In general, it’s a good idea to take the SAT or ACT because it’s very unlikely all of the colleges on your list are going to be test blind.

To create a goal for your SAT/ACT, start by looking at what accepted students at your dream college earned. We make it easy to find, too. Start with College Match here.