Test Optional Colleges: Everything You Need to Know
If you are not a strong test taker, or your SAT or ACT scores do not reflect your abilities, you may have heard about applying to test optional colleges. This can feel overwhelming, especially if you are already busy finalizing essays, recommendation letters, and application forms. So what are test optional colleges, and how do they fit into your application strategy?
To help you understand, we will define what test optional colleges are, look at which schools fall into this category, explain test flexible policies, go over when you should or should not submit scores, and review the reasons schools have adopted these policies in the first place.
What Is a Test Optional College?
As admissions policies evolve, more schools have reduced the weight of standardized testing. At test optional colleges, applicants can decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you believe your scores add strength to your profile, you can include them. If not, you can withhold them without penalty.
Today, many top liberal arts colleges and national universities offer test optional admissions. Some, like Bowdoin and Smith, have been test optional for decades. Others adopted the policy more recently, especially in response to COVID disruptions. A smaller group of institutions are test blind, meaning they will not consider standardized test scores at all, even if you submit them.
Top Liberal Arts Colleges That Are Test Optional
| School | 2025 US News Rank | Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Williams College | 1 | Test optional permanently |
| Amherst College | 2 | Test optional permanently |
| Swarthmore College | 3 | Test optional permanently |
| Pomona College | 5 | Test optional permanently |
| Bowdoin College | 5 | Test optional permanently |
| Wellesley College | 7 | Test optional permanently |
| Carleton College | 8 | Test optional permanently |
| Claremont McKenna College | 8 | Test optional pilot |
| Vassar College | 12 | Test optional permanently |
| Harvey Mudd College | 12 | Test optional pilot |
These schools show how common test optional policies have become in the liberal arts space. Bowdoin was the first in the country to adopt the approach, and now it is the standard among many highly ranked colleges.
Top National Universities That Are Test Optional
| School | 2025 US News Rank | Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | 1 | Test optional through 2025–26 |
| Duke University | 6 | Test optional through 2026 |
| Northwestern University | 6 | Test optional permanently |
| Columbia University | 13 | Test optional |
| UCLA | 15 | Test free |
| UC Berkeley | 17 | Test free |
| Rice University | 18 | Test optional |
| Vanderbilt University | 18 | Test optional current cycle |
Note that Ivy League universities remain test optional rather than test free, while the University of California system has gone fully test free. This means scores are not considered even if you submit them.
Test Optional Schools After COVID
The pandemic accelerated the test optional movement. In 2020, many colleges dropped their SAT and ACT requirements for practical reasons, since test dates were canceled worldwide. Some schools implemented temporary one- or three-year pilots, while others made the decision permanent. As of 2025, the majority of top-ranked institutions remain test optional or test free, with only a small group of highly selective universities returning to mandatory testing for the Class of 2026 or 2027.
What Are Test Flexible Schools?
Test flexible schools allow applicants to fulfill testing requirements in different ways. Instead of requiring an SAT or ACT score, they may accept AP, IB, or A-Level exam results, or even a graded research paper.
Examples include:
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New York University: Accepts SAT, ACT, three SAT Subject Tests, three AP scores, or three IB Higher Level exams.
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University of Rochester: Accepts SAT, ACT, AP, IB, or A-Level scores.
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Colorado College: Requires one quantitative test, one verbal test, and one additional exam, which can be AP, IB, TOEFL, or SAT/ACT.
This flexibility benefits students who may have stronger performance in subject-specific or international exams than in general SAT or ACT testing.
When Should You Submit Test Scores?
Even if a school is test optional, deciding whether to submit your scores is strategic. Look at the school’s middle 50% SAT/ACT range. If your scores fall within or above the range, submit them to strengthen your application. If they are below the range, it may be better to withhold them and let your GPA, coursework, and essays do the heavy lifting.
For example, consider these schools:
| School | Acceptance Rate | Median SAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | 5.9% | 1540 |
| Bowdoin College | 8.9% | 1475 |
| Colby College | 9.5% | 1430 |
| Wesleyan University | 15.8% | 1510 |
| Bates College | 17.8% | 1430 |
Submitting a strong score can help you stand out in a competitive pool. On the other hand, if your GPA, recommendations, and activities are excellent, a lower test score might only weaken your profile.
Why Do Colleges Go Test Optional?
There are several reasons schools adopt test optional policies:
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Equity: Standardized tests often reflect access to resources like tutoring and multiple test attempts. Removing the requirement broadens access for lower-income and first-generation students.
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Diversity: Test optional policies can help schools attract a wider range of applicants across race, geography, and background.
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Rankings: Higher average test scores among those who submit can boost a school’s profile in ranking systems.
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Holistic admissions: Schools want to evaluate students beyond a single test, focusing on essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and personal qualities.
Research has shown that high school GPA is a stronger predictor of college success than standardized test scores. That has encouraged more institutions to rethink how much weight they place on the SAT and ACT.
How to Plan Your Application Strategy
If you are targeting test optional colleges, do not assume this means you can skip testing altogether. Some schools on your list may still require scores. Plan to take at least one standardized test so that you have the option to submit. If your results are strong, use them. If not, focus on building the other pieces of your application—challenging courses, strong essays, leadership in extracurriculars, and compelling recommendations.
Remember, test scores are just one piece of the puzzle. Your overall academic record, intellectual curiosity, and character will matter just as much, if not more.
Take the Next Step
Your testing strategy should be part of a larger admissions plan. Our Former Admissions Officers can help you decide whether to submit your scores, strengthen your essays, and build a competitive profile for selective test optional colleges. Schedule your free consultation today and take control of your application process.