Test Optional Colleges

The New SAT – Is It Time To Consider Test-Optional Colleges?

If you are a high school sophomore or junior who is thinking about college, or the parent of one of these students, no doubt you’ve heard about the upcoming changes to the SAT. And, no doubt, you find the testing landscape daunting.

Some of the questions I hear are:

Will the new SAT be a harder test?

How do I prepare for it?

When should I take it?

Will there be glitches in the first administration?

Should I take the old SAT and the new SAT? Or just the old SAT? Or just the new SAT?

Should I forget about the SAT altogether and take the ACT?

The irony is that while we face yet another big overhaul of the SAT, more and more colleges are backing away from (or modifying) admission testing requirements. The non-profit group FairTest has done a good job of advocating for and tracking this movement away from an emphasis on high-stakes testing. My own observation is that colleges with selective admission seem to fall into one of two categories: those that minimize the role of testing and those that emphasize the role of testing. There’s very little middle ground - it’s one or the other. Colleges that require test scores are leaning in favor of the higher testers and frequently rewarding them with enticing scholarships.

For students who need or want to find colleges that will look beyond testing, FairTest provides a wealth of information. First, take a look at the large group of colleges that de-emphasize testing. It’s a long list! Make sure to read the fine print since some colleges require a certain GPA in lieu of testing and others may require testing for particular majors. Some colleges may ask for a portfolio of graded academic work to serve as an alternative assessment. But, there are plenty of colleges on the list that are totally test-optional – you don’t have to send scores.

When I talk about test-optional colleges, often families think I am steering them toward less selective, less prestigious institutions – not true! Some of the finest colleges and universities in the United States offer test-optional or test-flexible admission policies. FairTest has published a list of Test-Optional Top Tier Schools – as designated by US News & World Report Best College Guide 2015. You’ll notice some familiar names, including renowned competitive institutions like Bowdoin College, Wake Forest University, and American University; and some public flagship universities like the University of Arizona. The range is wide here – there are great choices for most students who are seeking colleges willing to look beyond test scores!

My Tips:

• Take the SAT or ACT
• Consider taking SAT subject tests
• Research the test policy at colleges of interest
• For colleges that require testing, know that your test scores are likely to be a big part of admission and scholarship decisions
• Consider test-optional colleges
• Remember that there’s no such thing as “grades optional” – they may not consider scores, but grades and rigor of coursework always matter!