Is Applying Test Optional a Good Idea?

Sitting for the SAT and ACT.

It’s what many college-bound teens dread.

Some colleges maintain that standardized tests accurately measure one’s college readiness, making them a must in the admissions process.

But then, other colleges agree that they do not really indicate a student’s readiness for higher education, adding that they make a college degree inaccessible to some.

Does going test-optional put you at a disadvantage? Let’s find out.

PROS

Less Stress, More Chances of Getting In

Applying to college is the most stressful academic experience for many high schoolers.

Just take a look at the following table indicating the percentage of those who say so by race:

Race	Percentage
Asian	63%
Hispanic	61%
Black	60%
White	42%

Without the pressure of getting high SAT or ACT scores, applying to college is less stressful.

It gives teens plenty of time to strengthen various application components application, thus reducing the distress the possibility of not being accepted into their top-choice colleges brings.

More Confidence for Certain Types of Students

The SAT and ACT are discriminatory examinations.

Both the College Board and ACT, Inc. (the creators and administrators of the SAT and ACT, respectively) did not design their standardized tests to be such.

However, these exams’ scoring methods tend to single out certain types of students.

The following are those that the SAT and ACT discriminate against, a college admissions study finds:

• Minority students
• Low-income students
• Female students

It’s worth pointing out that the unintentional discriminatory effect of the SAT and ACT are more evident in the admissions process at some of the country’s most selective colleges and universities.

Applying without test scores can make some students feel they have a fighting chance.

No More Anxiety Over Test Anxiety’s Effect

Approximately 40% to 60% of students have significant text anxiety.

That’s according to the UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools, adding that test anxiety interferes with a student’s ability to perform up to full capability while taking an exam.

Sitting for the SAT or ACT is not the only one that can cause test anxiety.

It’s not uncommon for students suffering from test anxiety to also avoid studying because it makes them feel uneasy, which results in test scores not being enough for college admissions officers.

The junior year of high school is often the most stressful academic-wise.

Given that most SAT and ACT test-takers are high school teens in their junior year, it isn’t surprising that those with test anxiety are at their worst mental health state!

Without the need to take standardized tests, test anxiety cannot ruin some students’ college dreams.

Highlighting One’s Unique Strengths and Attributes

Most test-optional colleges have a holistic admissions policy.

It means that admissions officers look not only at traditional measures of academic achievement — such as SAT and ACT scores — but also at an applicant’s unique experiences.

Some non-traditional criteria that a holistic review approach includes:

• Extracurricular activities
• Personal qualities
• Talents
• Work experience
• Volunteer work

Not submitting test scores means one less academic factor available for scrutiny.

It’s an opportunity for college applicants to put the spotlight on their achievements and true potential, thus allowing admissions officers to see why giving an available slot to them is wise.

Easier Access to a College Education

Did you know that rich kids earn higher standardized test scores than poor ones?

The highest average scores of all sections (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) of the SAT are from test-takers whose families make more than $200,000 per year.

On the other hand, the lowest average scores are from students whose families make less than $20,000 per year.

There are three main reasons why wealthy students often have higher test scores:

• They attend better-funded high schools
• They can pay for tutors and test prep courses
• They can afford to take the SAT or ACT multiple times

With a test-optional policy in place, students from low-income backgrounds need not feel that they are at a disadvantage in the flexibility of the evaluation process.

Such increases their confidence and faith in postsecondary education.

Cons

Anxiety While Waiting for Admissions Decisions

Many colleges and universities, test-optional and test-required alike, publish the standardized test profile of admitted first-time, first-year students — on their websites or Common Data Set (CDS) reports.

Looking at them can benefit applicants.

Comparing their SAT or ACT scores with the scores of those who successfully get in allows them to have an idea of their chances of getting accepted.

Without some form of yardstick, waiting for decision notifications can be nerve-racking.

Feeling Not Ready for College

It’s not just during the wait to hear back from a test-optional college that can ravage one’s mental health.

Keeping test scores to oneself or not having any score to submit (for not being able to sit for the SAT or ACT) during the application process may cause a student to feel not college-ready.

Students who do not submit their test scores may doubt whether they are indeed prepared for college’s challenges.

More importantly, they may also doubt the admissions process.

While admissions officers confirm that those who do not submit their test scores will not be disadvantaged, some students may still feel that their applications are incomplete and thus might go to the reject pile.

Less Eligibility for Some Financial Aid Types

Merit-based financial aid recognizes a student’s academic achievement and outstanding skills.

Besides having a high GPA and proof of excellence in arts, athletics, music, and other special interests, high standardized test scores are also usually an eligibility requirement.

A student is immediately ineligible for merit-based aid without SAT or ACT scores.

It’s a good thing for those who have low test scores or were unable to take the SAT or ACT due to financial constraints that they may still be eligible to receive need-based aid.

There’s No Hiding Behind Numbers

Test-optional schools almost always review applications holistically.

Without SAT or ACT scores indicated, college admissions officers focus on other components of a student’s application, including non-academic ones such as extracurriculars and volunteer work.

Therefore, it’s crucial for students who wish to keep their test scores to themselves to work harder.

They must make up by writing exceptional essays, submitting compelling recommendations, making the alumni interview unforgettable, building leadership skills, etc.

The absence of any meaningful and passionate involvement in student clubs or community service can harm an applicant’s chances of getting in, which is salvageable with impressive test scores.

Bottom Line

Are you applying to a school with test-optional admissions?

It’s up to you to decide whether or not you should submit your test scores, which can be both good and bad — can I really keep my SAT or ACT scores to myself, or is it just some form of a test of my confidence in myself?

It’s best to consider the standardized test profile of admits when deciding.

You should also ensure that many things in your application can make up for the absence of your SAT or ACT scores, which are all considerations in a holistic review process.