“What’s going on with standardized testing?” This is the question I’m hearing most frequently from students and parents lately, and I completely understand the confusion. The landscape of college testing requirements has become increasingly complex, with terms like “test-optional,” “test-flexible,” “test-preferred,” and various hybrid policies creating a maze that even experienced families struggle to navigate.
Let me help clarify what’s really happening in the world of standardized testing and how it affects your college application strategy.
A Quick Recap: How We Got Here
For those new to this conversation, let’s start with the basics. Test-optional means colleges don’t require you to submit SAT or ACT scores to make an admission decision. This policy existed at many small liberal arts colleges for years, but COVID changed everything.
When students couldn’t take standardized tests during the pandemic, most colleges were forced to become test-optional virtually overnight. Now, five years later, we’re seeing significant shifts as some institutions return to requiring tests while others maintain more flexible policies.
The Current Testing Landscape
Schools Returning to Required Testing Several high-profile institutions have made headlines by reinstating testing requirements:
- Ivy League schools: Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Yale now require test scores again (though not all Ivies—Penn remains test-optional)
- Highly selective institutions: MIT and Stanford have also returned to requiring scores
- State university systems: Georgia’s state system, Tennessee, and Florida (which never went test-optional) now require testing
Test-Optional Schools Still Exist Despite the headlines, many colleges maintain test-optional policies. If testing isn’t your strength, there are still plenty of excellent schools where you can apply without submitting scores.
Beyond Test-Optional: Understanding New Policies
The testing landscape now includes several variations that can significantly impact your application strategy:
Test-Preferred Policies Schools like Auburn University are “technically” test-optional but clearly state they prefer students to submit scores. This creates anxiety for students who understandably wonder if it’s truly optional. Auburn also requires a 3.6 GPA to apply without test scores, adding another layer of complexity.
Test-Flexible Options Some schools allow students to submit AP or IB scores instead of SAT/ACT results. This can be particularly helpful if your standardized test scores don’t reflect your academic abilities but your AP/IB performance does.
Unique Institutional Policies NC State has an interesting approach: they won’t let test scores hurt you. If you submit scores that don’t help your application, they simply don’t consider them—as if they never saw them. This more generous policy removes some of the risk from submitting scores.
The Strategic Decision: To Submit or Not to Submit
For test-optional schools, families now face a crucial question: should you submit your scores even when they’re not required?
This decision requires careful analysis of the middle 50% range—the test score range of the middle 50% of admitted students. Ask yourself:
- Are your scores above this range? (Likely helpful to submit)
- Do your scores fall within this range? (May be neutral or slightly helpful)
- Are your scores below this range? (Probably better not to submit)
I now work with each student individually, going through their college list school by school to determine the best testing strategy for each application.
Advanced Scoring Policies
Some colleges employ “super-duper-scoring” across different tests, though they don’t always advertise this practice. This means they might take your best math score from the SAT and your best English score from the ACT to create the strongest possible composite score.
While these policies are designed to help students, the lack of transparency can add to the confusion.
The Reality for Families
I hate that these varied policies, while intended to reduce stress, often create more anxiety for families. Students worry about making the “wrong” choice about testing, and parents struggle to understand which strategy serves their child best.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach anymore. Each student’s testing strategy must be tailored to their specific scores, target schools, and overall application profile.
Moving Forward: Your Action Plan
Here’s what I recommend for navigating this complex landscape:
- Research each school’s specific policy – Don’t assume all schools in a category follow the same rules
- Understand the nuances – Look for details like minimum GPA requirements for test-optional applications
- Analyze your scores against middle 50% ranges for each target school
- Ask questions – Contact admissions offices directly if policies aren’t clear
- Make strategic decisions – Be prepared to submit scores to some schools and not others
The Bottom Line
The standardized testing landscape is more complex than ever, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to navigate successfully. The key is understanding that “test-optional” doesn’t necessarily mean “tests don’t matter,” and that each school’s policy requires individual consideration.
Don’t let the complexity overwhelm you. Instead, approach each school’s requirements methodically, make informed decisions based on your specific situation, and remember that testing is just one component of a holistic application.
Whether you’re a strong test-taker or someone who struggles with standardized tests, there are pathways to excellent colleges that align with your strengths and goals.
Feeling overwhelmed by testing policies and application strategies? Our team stays current on all the latest changes in college admissions requirements. Contact us to develop a personalized testing and application strategy that maximizes your student’s opportunities.
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