Many selective US universities have adopted test-optional admissions pathways. Test-optional admissions means that students will be reviewed in the admissions process even if they choose not to report standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT. Though strong test scores are still an asset at the majority of selective US universities, test-optional pathways open doors for students who struggle with these unique and often controversial tests.

Selective US universities and colleges have been examining the role testing plays, or should play, for many years. Many elite schools, such as Wesleyan, Wake Forest, Bowdoin, and others have been test optional for over a decade. FairTest is an education access organisation that has been advocating for test-optional and test-blind policies in US higher ed. They provide resources for students, schools, and parents as they navigate testing options for US university applications. Also, they keep a running list of schools with test-optional admissions!

Though more and more selective schools were adopting test optional admissions in the last five years, the pandemic and restricted testing conditions accelerated this movement. Also, it forced schools that had previously not considered test-optional admissions, including the Ivy League, to do so. After three cycles of test-optional admissions, some schools, including such notable schools as Columbia and Vassar, have made their test-optional policies permanent. Many schools will make a final decision after the 2024 academic year because they will have a full cohort’s worth of test-optional student data to analyse.

When students are considering applying test-optional Vela Education advisors recommend the following:

1. Take a diagnostic SAT or ACT to determine if testing could be an asset to your application. We believe in making decisions with information and data. Strong test scores are still an advantage for most students. See how close you are to a goal score before deciding to forego test prep.

2. Consider applying Early Decision. If you are choosing not to submit a data point in your application, making a strategic choice to apply Early Decision is likely your best way forward. Schools are more amenable to applicants who make a commitment to them if they are not providing all the information many other applicants will still supply.

3. Ensure the components of your application shine. Test-optional admissions isn’t necessarily easier! Your essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations will all be scrutinized that much more because there isn’t a standard data point to compare you with other applicants. Test-optional admissions is often best for students with stellar grades and extracurriculars!

4. Investigate the history of your chosen schools’ test-optional policies. Were they pre-pandemic? Are they provisional or permanent? These might seem like minor details, but they can, and should, inform a student’s admissions strategy!

At Vela Education, we are delighted that our test-optional advises have all secured great offers in the competitive US admissions process. We pride ourselves on giving ethical and transparent information so students can make an informed decision about the best way forward for their US university applications. If you have questions about test-optional admissions, we recommend you schedule a strategic consultationwith a Vela Education advisor. We are here to help.