Compass has compiled the most recently available score range data and admission testing policies for popular colleges and universities, public and private, chosen to represent a wide array of four-year postsecondary institutions in the U.S.
The SAT and ACT scores in the table below represent the most recently reported* scores available. The 25th to 75th percentile ranges show the mid-50% of test scores submitted by enrolled students. These scores should not be viewed as cutoffs or qualifying scores as the ranges are often inflated by pandemic-era score submission practices. In fact, withholding scores may suggest much lower performance to admission officers than would your actual score.
In early 2024, schools like Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown followed MIT and returned to requiring testing for nearly all applicants. We have compiled recent significant testing policy updates here.
Schools marked with an asterisk (*) are only Test Optional for some students. Schools that are Test Optional for admissions may require or recommend scores for merit scholarships. We track merit award score ranges and testing policies here.
We encourage you to click on a college’s name, which links directly to its testing policy page for the most complete guidance.
| School | Testing Policy | Policy Details | Number of Applicants | Accept Rate | SAT Total 25th–75th Percentile | ACT Total 25th–75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Test Required | Caltech requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process. CalTech does not offer merit-based aid. | 16626 | 2.69% | — | — |
| Harvard College | Test Required | Harvard requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process. In exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible, students may submit AP Exam, IB, GCSE/A-Level, or National Leaving Exam Results. | 61221 | 3.24% | 1490–1580 | 34–36 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Test Required | MIT requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 33240 | 4.11% | 1510–1570 | 34–36 |
| Yale University | Test Required | Yale requires applicants to submit SAT, ACT, or AP/IB scores as part of the admissions process. Yale does not offer merit-based aid. | 50060 | 4.57% | 1470–1560 | 33–35 |
| Brown University | Test Required | Brown requires students submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their admission application. Brown does not offer merit-based aid. | 50649 | 5.06% | 1500–1560 | 34–36 |
| Dartmouth College | Test Required | Dartmouth requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Dartmouth does not offer merit-based aid. | 28336 | 6.38% | — | — |
| United States Military Academy | Test Required | West Point requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. They require the ACT with writing, and students who submit SAT scores may be asked to provide a timed writing sample. | 13955 | 10.66% | 1210–1430 | 28–33 |
| Georgetown University | Test Required | Georgetown requires submission of SAT/ACT scores for admission. Students who apply without scores will be asked to explain why they were unable to take a test. Georgetown does not offer merit-based aid. | 26638 | 12.23% | 1410–1540 | 32–35 |
| United States Air Force Academy | Test Required | USAFA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 8353 | 16.23% | 1320–1470 | 28–33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Test Required | The University System of Georgia requires students to submit an SAT or ACT test score as part of the application. | 50610 | 17.13% | 1370–1530 | 31–35 |
| Florida A&M University | Test Required | FAMU requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 22713 | 21.12% | 1040–1150 | 19–24 |
| University of Florida | Test Required | The University of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 64473 | 23.35% | 1320–1470 | 28–33 |
| Florida State University | Test Required | Florida State University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 78088 | 25.04% | 1220–1360 | 26–31 |
| United States Merchant Maritime Academy | Test Required | USMMA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1531 | 27.37% | — | — |
| University of Texas—Austin | Test Required | UT Austin requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application for admission. | 59767 | 31.41% | — | — |
| University of Central Florida | Test Required | University of Central Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 54977 | 41.04% | 1200–1360 | 25–29 |
| University of Georgia | Test Required | The University System of Georgia requires students to submit an SAT or ACT test score as part of the application. | 39354 | 42.51% | 1220–1400 | 26–32 |
| University of South Florida | Test Required | University of South Florida requries either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 65567 | 43.94% | 1240–1370 | 27–30 |
| Purdue University—West Lafayette | Test Required | Purdue University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 68309 | 52.69% | 1210–1450 | 27–33 |
| University of Dallas | Test Required | University of Dallas requires first year applicants to submit offical SAT or ACT scores. | 4990 | 58.36% | 1120–1380 | 24–31 |
| Gallaudet University | Test Required | Gallaudet University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 380 | 59.21% | 770–1060 | 14–20 |
| Morehouse College | Test Required | Morehouse requires first year applicants to submit offical SAT or ACT scores. | 5221 | 60.01% | — | 18–25 |
| Florida International | Test Required | Florida International University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 17343 | 63.86% | 1070–1240 | 21–26 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Test Required | Florida Institute of Technology requires either the SAT or ACT. It generally does not require the optional ACT Writing Test, but it may be required for some applicants. | 10650 | 65.88% | 1150–1330 | 24–30 |
| University of Tennessee | Test Required | The University of Tennessee requires SAT/ACT scores as part of the application for admission. | 36290 | 68.41% | 1180–1320 | 25–31 |
| New College of Florida | Test Required | The New College of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1830 | 75.41% | 1120–1340 | 24–31 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Test Required | Thomas Aquinas College requires requires that applicants take the SAT, the ACT, or the CLT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. Thomas Aquinas College does not offer merit-based aid. | 262 | 84.73% | 1210–1400 | 27–32 |
| University of Memphis | Test Required | UM requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applicants. | 15767 | 94.60% | 960–1220 | 17–24 |
| Stanford University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Stanford extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 56378 | 3.68% | 1500–1570 | 33–35 |
| Columbia University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Columbia offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 60551 | 3.89% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
| Princeton University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Princeton has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. Princeton does not offer merit-based aid. | 37601 | 4.38% | 1470–1560 | 33–35 |
| University of Chicago | Test Optional (Permanent) | UChicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 37522 | 5.44% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Test Optional (Temporary) | UPenn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 56332 | 5.87% | 1480–1570 | 33–35 |
| Duke University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Duke has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 49523 | 5.88% | 1490–1560 | 33–35 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Johns Hopkins has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 37156 | 6.00% | 1520–1560 | 34–35 |
| Vanderbilt University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Vanderbilt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admission cycle. | 46377 | 6.67% | 1490–1570 | 34–35 |
| Northeastern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Northeastern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025-26 admission cycle. | 91000 | 6.80% | 1450–1530 | 33–35 |
| Swarthmore College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Swarthmore has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024-25 admission cycle. | 14707 | 6.93% | 1450–1540 | 32–35 |
| Northwestern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Northwestern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 47636 | 6.97% | 1490–1550 | 33–35 |
| Pomona College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Pomona College offers a test optional policy which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 10666 | 7.02% | 1480–1540 | 33–35 |
| Amherst College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Amherst offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 14864 | 7.26% | 1450–1550 | 33–35 |
| Cornell University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Cornell has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025 applicants. Additionally, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business will not consider test scores even if submitted. Cornell does not offer merit-based aid. | 71164 | 7.26% | 1470–1550 | 33–35 |
| Colby College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Colby College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Colby does not offer merit-based aid. | 16890 | 7.61% | 1430–1540 | 32–34 |
| Williams College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Williams has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admissions cycle. | 15321 | 8.50% | 1490–1550 | 34–35 |
| University of California—Los Angeles | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 149815 | 8.57% | — | — |
| Rice University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rice offers a test optional olicy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 31443 | 8.68% | 1490–1570 | 34–36 |
| Bowdoin College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bowdoin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bowdoin does not offer merit-based aid. | 9376 | 9.19% | 1340–1520 | 31–35 |
| United States Naval Academy | Test Optional (Temporary) | USNA has extended their temporary test flexible policy, meaning they will review applications with or without standardized test scores. Students seeking admission without a test score will be asked to provide supporting information concerning test availability, cancellation, etc. | 14727 | 9.36% | — | — |
| Claremont McKenna College | Test Optional (Temporary) | CMC has extended their temporary test optional policy to fall 2024 admission. | 5709 | 10.35% | 1450–1540 | 33–35 |
| Grinnell College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Grinnell has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2026. | 9997 | 10.76% | 1410–1520 | 31–33 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Carnegie Mellon has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. However, School of Computer Science applicants are strongly encouraged to submit either an SAT or ACT score, including the math subscore. | 34261 | 11.30% | 1500–1560 | 34–35 |
| Emory University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Emory has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 33179 | 11.35% | 1450–1530 | 32–34 |
| University of California—Berkeley | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 128226 | 11.40% | — | — |
| Tufts University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Tufts has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 31198 | 11.43% | 1450–1530 | 33–35 |
| Tulane University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Tulane has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 31615 | 11.45% | 1400–1500 | 31–33 |
| Barnard College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Barnard College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. Barnard College does not offer merit-based aid. | 10395 | 11.47% | 1445–1530 | 32–34 |
| Hamilton College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hamilton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Hamilton does not offer merit-based aid. | 9899 | 11.78% | 1440–1520 | 33–34 |
| New York University | Test Optional (Temporary) | NYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 100662 | 12.46% | 1470–1520 | 33–34 |
| University of Southern California | Test Optional (Temporary) | USC has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 71031 | 12.51% | 1330–1520 | 30–34 |
| Middlebury College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Middlebury has extended their temproary, test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. Middlebury does not offer merit-based aid. | 12952 | 12.69% | 1420–1520 | 33–35 |
| University of Notre Dame | Test Optional (Temporary) | Notre Dame has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 26509 | 12.91% | 1420–1550 | 32–35 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Test Optional (Temporary) | Washington University in St. Louis has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 33634 | 13.00% | 1490–1570 | 33–35 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Harvey Mudd has extended their temporary test optional policy through 2025. | 4440 | 13.36% | 1480–1560 | 34–36 |
| Wellesley College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Wellesley College has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024 admission. | 8491 | 13.57% | 1440–1540 | 33–35 |
| Bates College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bates offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bates does not offer merit-based aid. | 8273 | 13.74% | 1340–1500 | 31–33 |
| Haverford College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Haverford offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Haverford does not offer merit-based aid. | 5657 | 14.21% | 1410–1530 | 33–35 |
| Boston University | Test Optional (Temporary) | BU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 80796 | 14.37% | 1370–1430 | 31–33 |
| Wesleyan University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. International students will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores for the 2020-21 admission cycle. | 14521 | 14.43% | 1310–1500 | 31–34 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | Test Optional (Permanent) | USCGA has adopted a test optional policy. While scores are optional, they are encouraged, and students applying without scores are asked to upload a short statement. | 1894 | 15.47% | 1160–1360 | 26–31 |
| Colorado College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Colorado College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7846 | 16.30% | 1270–1460 | 29–33 |
| Carleton College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Carleton College has extended their temporary test optional to Fall 2025 admissions. | 8583 | 16.63% | 1430–1540 | 32–35 |
| Boston College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Boston College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 40494 | 16.66% | 1450–1520 | 33–35 |
| Davidson College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Davidson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students who attend non-traditional schools are recommended to submit scores. | 6479 | 16.95% | 1360–1490 | 31–33 |
| Washington and Lee University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Washington and Lee has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 7224 | 16.96% | 1410–1530 | 32–34 |
| Colgate University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Colgate University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admissions cycle. | 17540 | 17.19% | 1360–1490 | 31–34 |
| University of Michigan—Ann Arbor | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Michigan offers a test optional policy. | 84289 | 17.69% | 1350–1530 | 31–34 |
| Pitzer College | Test Free (Temporary) | Pitzer has been test optional since 2003. After nearly two decades of test optional admissions, Pitzer College will switch to a test-free admission policy through Fall 2025. | 3500 | 18.40% | — | — |
| Vassar College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Vassar offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Vassar College does not offer merit-based aid. | 11412 | 18.66% | 1440–1510 | 32–34 |
| University of Miami | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Miami has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 49167 | 18.94% | 1330–1450 | 30–33 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rhode Island School of Design offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are still required to submit test scores. | N/A | 19.00% | — | — |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 53776 | 19.24% | 1330–1500 | 29–33 |
| Hillsdale College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hillsdale College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3066 | 20.58% | 1370–1480 | 30–34 |
| University of Virginia | Test Optional (Temporary) | UVA has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 47982 | 20.74% | 1400–1510 | 32–35 |
| Babson College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Babson has adopted a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7607 | 22.01% | 1410–1510 | 31–34 |
| The Cooper Union | Test Optional (Temporary) | Cooper Union has extemded their temporary test optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants, to Fall 2024. | 1508 | 22.28% | 1380–1530 | 32–35 |
| Smith College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Smith College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7269 | 22.86% | 1390–1500 | 31–34 |
| Villanova University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Villanova has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 23835 | 23.39% | 1390–1480 | 32–34 |
| University of Richmond | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Richmond has extended their temporary test optional policy to fall 2025 admissions. | 14364 | 24.37% | 1410–1500 | 32–34 |
| Berea College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Berea College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2217 | 24.58% | 1090–1300 | 23–27 |
| Wake Forest University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Wake Forest offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 15156 | 25.18% | 1380–1480 | 30–33 |
| Skidmore College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Skidmore College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 13183 | 25.54% | 1320–1440 | 30–33 |
| University of California—Santa Barbara | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 111006 | 25.84% | — | — |
| Case Western Reserve University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Case Western has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 38701 | 27.41% | 1420–1520 | 32–35 |
| Scripps College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Scripps offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3099 | 27.91% | 1410–1510 | 32–34 |
| Denison University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Denison offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 9513 | 28.27% | 1250–1410 | 28–32 |
| Spelman College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Spelman has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 13649 | 28.39% | 1100–1290 | 22–27 |
| Macalester College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Macalester College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Macalester recommends that homeschooled students and students who attend high schools that do not provide grades submit SAT or ACT scores. | 8434 | 28.42% | 1350–1490 | 30–34 |
| University of California—Irvine | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 107952 | 28.94% | — | — |
| California State Polytechnic University—San Luis Obispo | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 58944 | 30.34% | 1260–1450 | 28–33 |
| Trinity University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Trinity University has extended their test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 11463 | 30.51% | 1310–1450 | 29–33 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bryn Mawr offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3594 | 30.75% | 1300–1470 | 29–35 |
| Reed College | Test Free (Temporary) | Reed has extended their temporary test free admission policy to the Fall 2024 period. | 9023 | 30.80% | 1320–1500 | 30–33 |
| Bucknell University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bucknell University adopted a five-year, test optional policy for first-year students, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. Bucknell will use the five-year pilot period to assess the patterns of success for test score submitters and non-submitters. | 11707 | 32.55% | 1180–1390 | 27–32 |
| College of William and Mary | Test Optional (Permanent) | William and Mary offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 18087 | 33.50% | 1370–1520 | 32–34 |
| Lafayette College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Lafayette College extended their temporary test optional policy through the 2029 academic year. | 10500 | 33.63% | 1350–1460 | 30–33 |
| Kenyon College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Kenyon has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 semester. | 8116 | 34.30% | 1380–1490 | 31–34 |
| University of California—San Diego | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 118410 | 34.31% | — | — |
| Oberlin College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Oberlin College has extended their temporary test optional policy for first-time, international, and homeschooled to the 2025–26 application year. | 10597 | 34.34% | 1340–1460 | 30–34 |
| Dickinson College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Dickinson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8261 | 34.92% | 1290–1410 | 29–32 |
| Howard University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Howard University has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 29396 | 35.25% | 1100–1270 | 21–26 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Franklin and Marshall College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Franklin and Marshall does not offer merit-based aid. | 8923 | 36.23% | 1300–1410 | 29–32 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Test Optional (Permanent) | The College of the Holy Cross offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7036 | 36.36% | 1270–1420 | 28–32 |
| Lehigh University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Lehigh offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 15163 | 36.98% | 1350–1480 | 30–33 |
| Trinity College (Hartford) | Test Optional (Permanent) | Trinity offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5603 | 37.75% | 1340–1470 | 29–33 |
| University of Rochester | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Rochester offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 19933 | 38.88% | 1410–1520 | 31–34 |
| Brandeis University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Brandeis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9796 | 39.14% | 1390–1500 | 31–34 |
| San Diego State University | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 77250 | 39.26% | 1130–1340 | 23–29 |
| Occidental College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Oxy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6305 | 39.40% | 1380–1490 | 31–34 |
| Mount Holyoke College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Mount Holyoke College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4894 | 39.76% | 1370–1500 | 30–34 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Hampden-Sydney College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 period. | 3262 | 39.79% | 1040–1310 | 23–29 |
| California State University—Long Beach | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 74694 | 39.96% | — | — |
| Connecticut College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Connecticut College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8744 | 40.40% | 1180–1390 | 28–32 |
| American University | Test Optional (Permanent) | American University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 19510 | 40.63% | 1290–1420 | 29–32 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Test Optional (Temporary) | LMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024. | 21695 | 41.31% | 1280–1430 | 28–32 |
| Binghamton University—SUNY | Test Optional (Permanent) | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 41642 | 41.75% | 1340–1510 | 29–34 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Illinois Wesleyan offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4408 | 42.22% | 1120–1330 | 25–30 |
| Emerson College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Emerson College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12109 | 42.75% | 1280–1410 | 30–32 |
| Clemson University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Clemson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 52814 | 42.99% | 1230–1400 | 26–31 |
| CUNY—Baruch College | Test Free (Temporary) | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy through Spring 2025 | 20303 | 43.40% | 1130–1330 | — |
| Auburn University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Auburn requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, Fall 2024 applicants with a 3.6+ GPA may apply test-optional. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 45693 | 43.74% | 1240–1370 | 24–30 |
| University of Maryland—College Park | Test Optional (Temporary) | UMD has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 application cycle. | 56637 | 44.50% | 1370–1510 | 31–34 |
| Southwestern University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Southwestern University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5557 | 44.79% | 1140–1320 | 24–30 |
| University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign offers a test optional oplicy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 63257 | 44.82% | 1350–1510 | 29–34 |
| Pratt Institute | Test Optional (Permanent) | Pratt offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8278 | 44.87% | 1200–1400 | 26–31 |
| Truman State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Truman State University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 semester. Students applying to the nursing major must submit scores. Test scores are also required to be eligible for some scholarships or programs. | 4912 | 45.05% | 1070–1330 | 23–29 |
| Hampton University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Hampton University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.3+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 15035 | 45.10% | 840–1220 | 17–27 |
| Bennington College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bennington has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 2801 | 45.31% | 1260–1370 | 29–33 |
| Baylor University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Baylor has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools that only provide narrative evaluations, and students who graduate high school early are not eligible for test optional admissions. | 40753 | 45.88% | 1170–1360 | 26–32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Stevens Institute of Technology has extended their temporary test optional policy, with some exceptions, for Fall 2026. However, students applying to the Accelerated Pre-Medicine or Pre-Law programs are required to submit scores. | 12500 | 46.22% | 1380–1510 | 31–34 |
| University of California—Davis | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 76225 | 46.32% | 1160–1370 | 25–31 |
| Union College (Schenectady, NY) | Test Optional (Permanent) | Union College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and those applying for the Leadership in Medicine program or the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8458 | 46.51% | 1310–1490 | 29–33 |
| North Carolina State University—Raleigh | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 35420 | 47.01% | 1260–1420 | 24–31 |
| University of California—Santa Cruz | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 66033 | 47.09% | — | — |
| University of Washington—Seattle | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Washington—Seattle offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 52488 | 47.52% | 1320–1500 | 29–34 |
| CUNY—Hunter | Test Free (Temporary) | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy through Spring 2025 | 33913 | 47.80% | — | — |
| Whitman College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Whitman College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 5497 | 47.83% | 1310–1460 | 30–33 |
| University of Wisconsin—Madison | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Wisiconsin—Madison has extended its temporary test optional policy to the spring 2027 term. | 60260 | 49.03% | 1370–1500 | 28–33 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Test Optional (Temporary) | Pitt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 53072 | 49.14% | 1280–1470 | 29–33 |
| Stony Brook University—SUNY | Test Optional (Permanent) | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 40513 | 49.14% | 1320–1480 | 28–34 |
| George Washington University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | George Washington University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants applying to the accelerated Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and recruited NCAA Division 1 athletes are not eligible for test optional admission (unless allowed by the NCAA). | 27236 | 49.71% | 1320–1460 | 30–34 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Sarah Lawrence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 5186 | 49.88% | 1280–1430 | 29–33 |
| St. John's College—Annapolis | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. John's College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who will not earn high school diplomas are not eligible for test optional admission. Most international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 983 | 49.95% | 1250–1460 | 30–33 |
| Rollins College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rollins offers a test optional policy ("test scores waived option"), which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the 3/2 Accelerated Management Program or the Honors Degree Program must submit test scores. | 9022 | 49.99% | 1150–1350 | 24–29 |
| Clark University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Clark University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8787 | 50.32% | 1260–1430 | 28–33 |
| Syracuse University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Syracuse extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 41489 | 51.75% | 1260–1410 | 28–32 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ohio Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5324 | 52.18% | — | — |
| Fairfield University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Fairfield University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 13359 | 52.18% | 1260–1360 | 28–31 |
| Southern Methodist University | Test Optional (Permanent) | SMU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 16150 | 52.25% | 1390–1500 | 31–34 |
| Sewanee: University of the South | Test Optional (Permanent) | Sewanee—The University of the South offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4578 | 52.32% | 1190–1280 | 26–31 |
| University of San Diego | Test Free (Temporary) | University of San Diego has extended their temporary test free policy to the Fall 2024 semester. | 14334 | 52.61% | — | — |
| Pepperdine University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Pepperdine offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 11855 | 52.71% | 1280–1430 | 25–30 |
| Providence College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Providence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 11129 | 52.78% | 1130–1330 | 25–31 |
| Rhodes College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rhodes offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5253 | 53.91% | 1320–1450 | 28–32 |
| Santa Clara University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Santa Clara University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 terms. | 16848 | 53.98% | 1300–1460 | 29–33 |
| Austin College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Austin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 5192 | 54.37% | 1120–1360 | 23–29 |
| California State Polytechnic University—Pomona | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 49721 | 55.19% | — | — |
| Pennsylvania State University—University Park | Test Optional (Temporary) | Penn State has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 85784 | 55.21% | 1220–1380 | 26–31 |
| University of Connecticut | Test Optional (Temporary) | UConn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 36753 | 55.60% | 1230–1430 | 27–33 |
| Texas Christian University | Test Optional (Temporary) | TCU has extended their temporary test optional policy through 2025. | 16197 | 56.10% | 1140–1360 | 26–31 |
| The College of Wooster | Test Optional (Permanent) | The College of Wooster offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 7251 | 56.27% | 1260–1430 | 27–32 |
| Gettysburg College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Gettysburg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Gettysburg recommends that both international and homeschooled students submit SAT or ACT scores. | 5796 | 56.31% | 1350–1440 | 28–32 |
| St. Olaf College | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. Olaf College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5524 | 56.41% | 1300–1460 | 28–33 |
| Biola University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Biola University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4225 | 56.62% | — | — |
| Soka University of America | Test Optional (Permanent) | Soka University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 498 | 56.63% | 1280–1410 | 26–27 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Virginia Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025. | 45321 | 56.98% | 1220–1420 | 26–32 |
| New School | Test Optional (Permanent) | The New School offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9524 | 57.18% | — | — |
| Ohio State University—Columbus | Test Optional (Temporary) | OSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 58180 | 57.18% | 1260–1420 | 26–32 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Test Free (Temporary) | WPI has adopted an eight year test free policy, which means the university does not accept scores in the application process, beginning with the Fall 2021 application cycle. | 11599 | 57.48% | — | — |
| Bentley University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bentley University has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025. | 9662 | 57.88% | 1280–1400 | 28–32 |
| California State University—Fresno | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 18122 | 57.94% | 950–1130 | 16–22 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Test Optional (Permanent) | Mines offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 10886 | 58.00% | 1340–1460 | 30–33 |
| Fordham University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Fordham University has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025 admissions. | 46275 | 58.30% | 1320–1450 | 30–33 |
| John Brown University | Test Optional (Permanent) | JBU offers a test optional admission policy. However, some international students may be required to submit scores. | 1442 | 58.39% | 1100–1360 | 21–28 |
| Marist College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Marist College offers a test optional policy, offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students applying to some programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11000 | 59.09% | 1220–1350 | 27–32 |
| Texas Lutheran University | Test Optional (Permanent) | TLU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 2683 | 59.30% | 1018–1160 | 19–24 |
| Lake Forest College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Lake Forest College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants must complete an interview. Homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4665 | 59.72% | 1160–1350 | 26–31 |
| University of Vermont | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Vermont has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2026. | 30231 | 59.79% | 1280–1420 | 28–32 |
| Bard College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bard College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5161 | 59.99% | 1290–1470 | 28–33 |
| Wofford College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Wofford College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4425 | 60.18% | — | — |
| Hendrix College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hendrix College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students who are native speakers of English are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2729 | 60.28% | 1130–1340 | 23–31 |
| Augustana College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Augustana College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants may be asked to complete an interview. However, homeschooled applicants and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 6965 | 61.22% | 1020–1240 | 21–28 |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Test Optional (Permanent) | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2018 | 61.40% | 1120–1310 | 23–29 |
| Wabash College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Wabash offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 1914 | 61.49% | 1140–1320 | 22–29 |
| Yeshiva University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Yeshiva offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for regular admission without SAT/AC scores. However, honors applicants are required to submit scores. | 1410 | 61.63% | 1210–1450 | 25–31 |
| Centre College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Centre College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 2746 | 62.35% | 1200–1470 | — |
| Texas A&M University—College Station | Test Optional (Permanent) | Texas A&M offers a test optional policy. | 43422 | 62.65% | 1160–1380 | 25–31 |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Test Optional (Permanent) | MSOE offers a test optional policy. | 5478 | 63.42% | 1190–1390 | 25–31 |
| St. Lawrence University | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. Lawrence offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5172 | 63.50% | 1270–1380 | 29–32 |
| University of Massachusetts—Amherst | Test Optional (Permanent) | UMass Amherst offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 45451 | 63.52% | 1280–1450 | 29–33 |
| University of South Carolina | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of South Carolina has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024 admissions. | 42188 | 64.05% | 1200–1380 | 27–32 |
| The College of New Jersey | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The College of New Jersey has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. However, test scores are required for Nursing students and the Accelerated Seven-Year Medical School opportunities. | 10302 | 64.43% | 1160–1330 | 24–30 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | RPI has extended their temporary test optional police to the fall 2025 semester. However, students applying to the Physician-Scientist Program will be required to submit the appropriate testing. | 16863 | 64.51% | 1380–1500 | 30–33 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Daytona Beach | Test Optional (Permanent) | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students must provide SAT or ACT scores and show academic strength through AP Exams. | 9825 | 64.85% | 1140–1330 | 23–30 |
| Drury University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Drury University offers a test optional policy, which allows domestic students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 1949 | 65.42% | 1070–1250 | 23–30 |
| Muhlenberg College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Muhlenberg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4329 | 65.51% | 1200–1400 | 29–33 |
| Concordia College—Moorhead | Test Optional (Permanent) | Concordia College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3774 | 65.53% | 1410–1410 | 21–28 |
| Abilene Christian University | Test Optional (Permanent) | ACU offers a test optional policy. However, only students who submit test scores will be considered for the honors college and elligible for some scholarships. | 11226 | 65.79% | 1030–1250 | 20–27 |
| DePauw University | Test Optional (Permanent) | DePauw University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who wish to apply for an Honor Scholar or Fellows program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5708 | 65.80% | 1160–1360 | 24–31 |
| Birmingham-Southern College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Birmingham-Southern College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who select test optional admission are required to have an interview with an admissions counselor. | 2461 | 65.91% | 1080–1250 | 22–28 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Permanent) | Illinois Tech offers a test optional policy. | 6520 | 66.10% | 1230–1400 | 26–32 |
| University of Houston | Test Optional* (Permanent) | University of Houston requires the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class or have a 3.45+ GPA. | 29783 | 66.24% | 1170–1330 | 23–29 |
| Albion College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Albion has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 term. | 6827 | 66.52% | — | — |
| Agnes Scott College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Agnes Scott College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1879 | 66.52% | 1140–1340 | 24–31 |
| Brigham Young University—Provo | Test Optional (Temporary) | BYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Winter 2026 term. | 10559 | 66.67% | 1280–1450 | 27–32 |
| California State University—Fullerton | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 48749 | 66.72% | 930–1190 | 18–26 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rochester Institute of Technology offers a test optional policy, which allows students applying to most programs to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students applying to imaging science, motion picture science, and photographic sciences within the College of Art & Design must still provide test scores | 23763 | 66.95% | 1280–1430 | 29–33 |
| Furman University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Furman University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7510 | 67.02% | 1280–1430 | 27–32 |
| Beloit College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Beloit offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3277 | 67.32% | 1230–1380 | 24–28 |
| Texas Tech University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Texas Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 entry terms. | 35400 | 67.34% | 1110–1260 | 23–28 |
| Drake University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Drake University offers a test optional policy, which it refers to as a "test-flexible" plan, which allows students to either write an essay or sit for an interview in lieu of submitting test scores. However, homeschooled students, as well as applicants to certain programs, are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8580 | 67.44% | 1190–1380 | 25–30 |
| Stonehill College | Test Free (Temporary) | Stonehill College has has extended their temporary test free policy to Fall 2024. | 6961 | 67.69% | 1120–1290 | 24–29 |
| University at Buffalo—SUNY | Test Optional (Permanent) | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 30939 | 67.71% | 1190–1380 | 25–32 |
| Kennesaw State University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Kennesaw State with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 21106 | 67.85% | 1030–1200 | 19–25 |
| University at Albany—SUNY | Test Optional (Permanent) | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 26031 | 67.89% | 1120–1320 | 22–31 |
| University of North Carolina—Wilmington | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 15792 | 67.98% | 1220–1320 | 24–28 |
| Millsaps College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Millsaps College offers a test optional policy. | N/A | 68.00% | — | — |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—New Brunswick | Test Optional (Permanent) | Rutgers—New Brunswick offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 43161 | 68.16% | 1240–1470 | 27–33 |
| Ball State | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ball State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 22947 | 68.17% | 1030–1210 | 20–27 |
| University of North Georgia | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to UNG with a 3.0+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 9599 | 68.22% | 1010–1190 | 19–25 |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hobart and William Smith Colleges offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5082 | 68.38% | 1230–1390 | 27–32 |
| Lewis & Clark College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Lewis and Clark offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Prior to the 2020-21 admission cycle, students who chose not to submit standardized test scores had to submit an academic portfolio in lieu of scores. However, students will no longer be required to submit a portfolio. | 6663 | 68.59% | 1270–1400 | 29–32 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | NJIT has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024. | 11578 | 69.14% | 1100–1440 | 27–33 |
| University of Tulsa | Test Optional* (Permanent) | University of Tulsa offers a test optional policy, however, test scores are strongly encouraged. Applicants to the Early Careers in Medicine program are required to submit scores. | 12042 | 69.18% | 1070–1350 | 21–30 |
| University of California—Riverside | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 54685 | 69.22% | — | — |
| Hofstra University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hofstra Univeristy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 23577 | 69.33% | 1190–1370 | 26–31 |
| Allegheny College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Allegheny College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4148 | 69.65% | 1120–1370 | 23–30 |
| Gonzaga University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Gonzaga University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. | 9886 | 69.77% | 1210–1400 | 26–31 |
| Georgia State | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Georgia State with a 3.4+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 34647 | 69.92% | 990–1210 | 19–27 |
| Berry College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Berry College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without standardized test scores. | 5220 | 69.94% | 1100–1270 | 23–29 |
| Saint Louis University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Saint Louis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 15047 | 70.05% | — | — |
| St. Mary's College of California | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. Mary's offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, student-athletes, homeschooled students, and students attending schools that don't give grades must provide test scores. | 3523 | 70.08% | — | — |
| DePaul University | Test Optional (Permanent) | DePaul University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 31785 | 70.17% | 1090–1290 | — |
| Oklahoma State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Oklahoma State University offers a test optional policy. However, test scores are required for most university scholarships. | 19117 | 70.63% | 1010–1240 | 20–27 |
| Siena College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Siena College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants must meet certain academic requirements to apply test optional. Additionally, applicants to select programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9466 | 70.83% | 1050–1260 | 22–31 |
| Knox College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Knox College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3038 | 70.87% | 1180–1360 | 24–31 |
| Randolph-Macon College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Randolph-Macon College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 2460 | 70.89% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
| Presbyterian College (SC) | Test Optional (Permanent) | Presbyterian College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1964 | 70.98% | 1010–1220 | 19–26 |
| Virginia Military Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | VMI has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 1192 | 71.06% | 1120–1270 | 22–29 |
| St. John Fisher University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Fisher offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4515 | 71.10% | 1120–1260 | 23–29 |
| University of San Francisco | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of San Francisco offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 23103 | 71.18% | 1230–1390 | 27–31 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Test Optional (Permanent) | Queens University of Charlotte offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, though they encourage applicants to submit scores. | 3154 | 71.27% | 1080–1240 | 22–29 |
| Elmhurst College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Elmhurst offers a test optional policy. Students who choose to apply TO will be required to submit an essay. | 3762 | 71.29% | 1010–1210 | 22–29 |
| Coe College | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Coe College requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement if you have a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 7481 | 71.50% | 1080–1280 | 22–28 |
| Hollins University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hollins offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 3310 | 72.30% | 1140–1300 | 25–30 |
| Chapman University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Chapman offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who graduate from schools without traditional grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 13690 | 72.52% | 1220–1380 | 26–31 |
| University of Delaware | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Delaware offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 33965 | 72.66% | 1170–1350 | 26–31 |
| University of Hawai'i at Mānoa | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Hawai'i offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. However, please note that scholarships or department direct entry programs may require test scores for consideration. | 18974 | 72.77% | — | — |
| Adelphi University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Adelphi University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2027–28 admissions cycle. | 17301 | 72.78% | — | — |
| University of Oklahoma | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Oklahoma has adopted a five-year test optional policy beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. Test scores are encouraged for scholarship consideration. | 21548 | 72.92% | 1130–1320 | 23–29 |
| Drew University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Drew University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3989 | 73.15% | 1120–1300 | 24–30 |
| Earlham College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Earlham offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1375 | 73.24% | 1160–1350 | 24–32 |
| University of Idaho | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University of Idahos requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, applicants through 2024 may apply test-optional with a 2.6+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 13393 | 73.85% | 1000–1240 | 20–27 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Gustavus Adolphus College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3781 | 73.90% | — | 25–31 |
| Lipscomb University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Lipscomb University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 term. | 3422 | 73.99% | 1120–1280 | 22–29 |
| University of Dayton | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Dayton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 18566 | 74.30% | 1160–1350 | 23–30 |
| Mercer University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Mercer University requires test scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 3.5+ are able to apply test optional. | 7586 | 74.39% | 1210–1340 | 26–31 |
| Elon University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Elon offers a test optional policy. However, students applying to the Nursing, Accelerated Pathways to PA and DPT and the Accelerated 3+1 Business Dual-Degree programs are required to submit scores. Nursing applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1100 and ACT 22. Home-schooled applicants and students attending U.S. high schools that do not issue letter grades are required to submit standardized test scores for admission and scholarship consideration. | 17551 | 74.46% | 1180–1330 | 25–30 |
| Clarkson University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Clarkson University offers a test optional policy. | 7011 | 74.58% | 1190–1370 | 25–32 |
| Taylor University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Taylor University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students who choose not to submit scores may be asked to provide more information or complete proficiency exams. | 2099 | 74.61% | 1100–1310 | 23–30 |
| Washington College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Washington College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and internantional applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2554 | 74.71% | 1200–1370 | 25–29 |
| University of Redlands | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Redlands offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4713 | 74.75% | 1100–1250 | 23–28 |
| University of Minnesota—Twin Cities | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Minnesota—Twin Cities has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 terms. | 38050 | 74.91% | 1300–1470 | 27–32 |
| SUNY—Geneseo | Test Optional (Permanent) | SUNY-Geneseo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 9069 | 74.93% | 1170–1310 | 25–31 |
| Lawrence University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Lawrence University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 2907 | 74.96% | 1230–1460 | 27–32 |
| University of La Verne | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of La Verne offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5984 | 75.10% | 970–1300 | 18–25 |
| Bradley University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Bradley University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 11352 | 75.14% | 1070–1280 | 24–30 |
| Mississippi State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Mississippi State offers a test optional policy. While SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission, they are recommended for scholarship consideration. | 18830 | 75.19% | 1070–1280 | 21–29 |
| Ithaca College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ithaca College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12446 | 75.20% | 1210–1360 | 28–32 |
| Wayne State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | WSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 14002 | 75.32% | 980–1220 | 20–28 |
| University of Illinois—Chicago | Test Optional (Permanent) | UIC offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 24562 | 75.49% | 1120–1320 | 24–27 |
| College of Charleston | Test Optional (Permanent) | College of Charleston is test optional. | 22020 | 75.69% | 1140–1290 | 24–30 |
| Creighton University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Creighton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the nursing program and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7977 | 75.69% | 1220–1400 | 24–31 |
| Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge | Test Optional* (Permanent) | LSU requires SAT or ACT scores, however students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA on core classes or 18 early college credits with a 2.5 GPA may apply without test scores. | 38853 | 75.72% | 1140–1310 | 23–28 |
| Luther College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Luther College offers a test optional policy. However, who do not meet the minimum academic requirements may be asked to provide additional transcripts, test scores, educator references, or essays. | 2495 | 76.07% | 1090–1320 | 22–29 |
| University of Rhode Island | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Rhode Island has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 25105 | 76.46% | 1130–1280 | 25–30 |
| University of Missouri | Test Optional (Temporary) | Mizzou has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 19966 | 76.55% | 1130–1350 | 23–30 |
| Seton Hall University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Seton Hall has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 23417 | 76.61% | 1250–1400 | — |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Baldwin Wallace University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home schooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4229 | 77.04% | 1070–1290 | 20–27 |
| Wheaton College (MA) | Test Optional (Permanent) | Wheaton College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Wheaton encourages students whose first language is not English to submit their SAT or ACT scores along with the required English proficiency testing. | 3580 | 77.09% | 1180–1340 | 25–31 |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | Test Optional (Permanent) | Saint Mary's College of Maryland has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with non-traditional academic transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2934 | 77.30% | 1130–1350 | 28–30 |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Test Free* (Permanent) | Rutgers—Newark offers a test free policy, which means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores as part of the admission process. However, applicants to the 7-year BA/MD joint program are required to submit scores. | 14456 | 77.43% | 1030–1270 | 21–28 |
| University of Denver | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Denver offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 19342 | 77.68% | 1240–1390 | 28–32 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | Test Free (Permanent) | Starting with the Fall 2021 application cycle, Loyola will not require a standardized test score for its university admission application and will not consider a test score, should a student choose to submit. | 7340 | 78.11% | — | — |
| James Madison University | Test Optional (Permanent) | James Madison University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 30727 | 78.31% | 1160–1310 | 23–29 |
| Carroll College | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Carroll College requires either the SAT or ACT, however it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ unweighted GPA. Students who are homeschooled, wish to apply to Direct Entry Nursing, or wish to participate in intercollegiate atheletics are not elligible for test optional admission. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 2709 | 78.33% | 1070–1270 | 22–28 |
| Towson University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Towson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 17770 | 78.60% | 1030–1230 | 19–25 |
| University of Nebraska—Lincoln | Test Optional* (Permanent) | The University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, it will waive this requriement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top half of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 19085 | 78.68% | 1110–1330 | 22–28 |
| High Point University | Test Optional (Permanent) | High Point University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students seeking some merit scholarship or those who wish to be placed in the Honors Program need to submit test scores. | 12446 | 78.88% | 1100–1280 | 23–29 |
| University of Arkansas—Fayetteville | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University of Arkansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. Fall 2024 applicants with a 3.2+ GPA may apply test optional, however, they are required to submit scores for enrollment. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 26210 | 78.94% | 1040–1210 | 21–28 |
| Central Michigan University | Test Optional (Temporary) | CMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Spring 2025 semester. However, homeschooled students or students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for TO admission. | 19888 | 78.95% | 980–1200 | 21–27 |
| University of Colorado—Boulder | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Colorado—Boulder offers a test optional admission policy. | 54861 | 79.14% | 1170–1380 | 26–31 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Test Optional (Permanent) | Loyola University Chicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. However, students applying for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing and Engineering Science programs will still be required to submit a self-reported test score as part of the requirement for review. | 40909 | 79.15% | 1130–1320 | 27–32 |
| Cornell College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Cornell College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Students who apply test optional are expected to respond to two additional written prompts on their applications, and to submit portfolios. | 3057 | 79.33% | 1210–1320 | 23–30 |
| Appalachian State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 18178 | 79.51% | 1180–1220 | 22–27 |
| Drexel University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Drexel has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 37040 | 79.61% | 1240–1420 | 27–32 |
| University of North Carolina—Charlotte | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 21355 | 79.64% | 1090–1280 | 20–26 |
| Temple University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Temple University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, home-schooled applicants, recruited student athletes, and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 38666 | 79.70% | 1130–1360 | 24–31 |
| Kalamazoo College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Kalamazoo College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3334 | 79.96% | 1160–1370 | 24–30 |
| Northern Arizona University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Northern Arizona University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores required to receive merit-based scholarships. | 44855 | 79.99% | 1060–1260 | 19–25 |
| Indiana University—Bloomington | Test Optional (Permanent) | Indiana University—Bloomington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems are not eligible for test optional admission. | 46000 | 80.00% | 1200–1400 | 27–32 |
| University of Alabama | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bama has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 54072 | 80.06% | 1090–1370 | 22–31 |
| Willamette University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Willamette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3995 | 80.60% | 1240–1420 | 27–33 |
| Goucher College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Goucher College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2928 | 80.74% | 1140–1320 | 26–33 |
| University of Texas—Arlington | Test Optional (Permanent) | UTA is test score optional for admission. However, test scores can help in determining admissions decisions, scholarship opportunities, and Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemptions. | 21963 | 80.80% | 1000–1240 | 18–26 |
| Hanover College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hanover College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2848 | 81.00% | 1070–1220 | 23–29 |
| University of New Mexico | Test Optional (Permanent) | UNM offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home-schooled and non-traditional students are not eligible for TO admission. Scores are also necessary for some scholarships. | 13676 | 81.27% | — | 20–26 |
| Ripon College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ripon College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2142 | 81.33% | 990–1170 | 19–27 |
| University of North Texas | Test Optional* (Permanent) | University of North Texas requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 24854 | 81.44% | 1020–1230 | 19–26 |
| St. Mary's College (IN) | Test Optional (Permanent) | Saint Mary's College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2411 | 81.50% | 1065–1250 | 22–28 |
| West Virginia University | Test Optional (Permanent) | WVU has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 18639 | 81.61% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
| University of Alaska, Anchorage | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Alaska, Anchorage offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4352 | 81.87% | 1020–1220 | 17–24 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Test Optional (Permanent) | PLNU does not require an SAT or ACT score for admission. Some merit aid at PLNU does still require a test score to be awarded. | 3149 | 81.93% | 1170–1370 | 23–30 |
| Westmont College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Westmont College offers a test otional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2326 | 81.99% | 1220–1420 | 30–33 |
| Butler University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Butler University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who major in Pre-Pharmacy, Health Sciences, and Healthcare and Business programs, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 20 college credits are not eligible for test optional admission. | 13386 | 82.06% | 1130–1320 | 24–30 |
| Quinnipiac University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Quinnipiac University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communications and School of Engineering to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students playing a Division I sport must provide test scores. | 19787 | 82.43% | 1080–1250 | 22–27 |
| Oregon State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Oregon State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 25651 | 82.53% | 1130–1380 | 22–30 |
| Simmons University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Simmons University offers a test optional policy. | 2905 | 82.55% | 1080–1250 | 24–29 |
| University of Puget Sound | Test Optional (Permanent) | Puget Sound offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5345 | 82.66% | 1190–1370 | 27–32 |
| Ursinus College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ursinus College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with narrative-style transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3818 | 82.71% | 1200–1350 | 27–32 |
| University of Akron | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Akron offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 12282 | 82.87% | 970–1220 | 18–25 |
| Washington State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | WSU offers a test free policy, which means they do not consider SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process. | 19401 | 83.10% | — | — |
| Boise State | Test Free (Permanent) | Boise State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend non-accredited high schools are required to submit test scores. | 15648 | 83.13% | — | — |
| University of St. Thomas (MN) | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of St. Thomas offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6718 | 83.16% | 1160–1350 | 24–29 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Eastern Michigan University has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024. | 19919 | 83.23% | 930–1170 | 18–25 |
| Samford University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Samford University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 term. | 4337 | 83.26% | 1090–1270 | 23–29 |
| University of North Dakota | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of North Dakota offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 6597 | 83.28% | 1100–1280 | 20–26 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Test Optional (Permanent) | Loyola University Maryland offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9643 | 83.48% | 1190–1350 | 26–33 |
| Xavier University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Xavier University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 15199 | 84.02% | 1100–1290 | 22–28 |
| San Francisco State University | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 31430 | 84.09% | 940–1130 | 16–23 |
| San Jose State University | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 30442 | 84.37% | 1030–1310 | 20–31 |
| Western Michigan University | Test Optional (Permanent) | WMU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 20501 | 84.55% | 1000–1220 | 19–27 |
| St. John's University (NY) | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. John's University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, some international students, students applying for several specific majors, and prospective student athletes are not eligible for test optional admission. | 24607 | 84.67% | 1110–1310 | 24–29 |
| University of Texas—Dallas | Test Optional (Permanent) | UTD offers a test optional policy. | 21500 | 84.74% | 1180–1410 | 24–32 |
| St. Michael's College | Test Optional (Permanent) | St. Michael's College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2629 | 85.05% | 1160–1320 | 26–30 |
| Seattle University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Seattle University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not elligible for test optional admission. | 7934 | 85.15% | 1160–1360 | 24–30 |
| University of Nevada—Las Vegas | Test Optional* (Permanent) | UNLV requires either the SAT or ACT, however, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 13285 | 85.25% | 1010–1220 | 18–24 |
| Christopher Newport University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Christopher Newport University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.5+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. For students applying in the 2020-21 admission cycle, there is no minimum GPA for test optional admission. | 7428 | 85.35% | 1120–1280 | 22–29 |
| Missouri University of Science & Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Missouri S&T has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 5533 | 85.40% | 1330–1420 | 26–32 |
| The Catholic University of America | Test Free (Permanent) | The Catholic University of America has adopted a test free policy, which means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission. | 5801 | 85.59% | 1110–1340 | 22–29 |
| University of Mary Washington | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Mary Washington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to petition to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students applying for the Pre-Nursing Program or merit based scholarships and homeschooled students are not eligible for test choice. | 4709 | 85.79% | 1170–1330 | 25–30 |
| University of Iowa | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Iowa is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 25729 | 86.00% | 1140–1340 | 22–28 |
| University of Cincinnati | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Cincinnati has extended its temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. However, standardized test scores are still required for admission into some programs. | 29024 | 86.21% | 1170–1350 | 24–29 |
| Illinois State | Test Optional (Permanent) | Illinois State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. | 19596 | 86.24% | 1020–1200 | 21–27 |
| Michigan Technological University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Michigan Technological University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 semester. However, homeschooled students and students with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit test scores. | 8569 | 86.29% | 1140–1330 | 24–30 |
| University of Oregon | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Oregon offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from nonaccredited schools and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 37154 | 86.29% | 1140–1370 | 24–30 |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Pacific Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from schools with written evaluations rather than grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Applicants to the nursing program, students interested in teaching, and international applicants strongly encouraged to submit scores. | 3306 | 86.30% | 1110–1290 | 23–29 |
| Missouri State University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Missouri State University requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9591 | 86.57% | 1060–1200 | 21–27 |
| University of Arizona | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Arizona offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the UA Honors College, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Nursing, the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, and College of Engineering and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 52103 | 86.74% | 1140–1360 | 21–29 |
| University of Texas, San Antonio | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Texas, San Antonio offers a test optional policy, which allows studenrs to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 23295 | 86.90% | 1010–1210 | 19–26 |
| California State University—Los Angeles | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 33941 | 86.94% | — | — |
| University of New Hampshire | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of New Hampshire offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, all Division 1 athletic recruits are required to submit standardized test scores. | 21016 | 86.99% | 1130–1310 | 26–31 |
| California Lutheran University | Test Optional (Permanent) | California Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission, and test scores are required to qualify for some merit scholarships. | 5150 | 87.18% | 1150–1320 | 26–30 |
| Marquette University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Marquette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, to both domestic and international applicants. | 15883 | 87.21% | 1180–1350 | 26–31 |
| College of St. Benedict | Test Optional (Permanent) | The College of Saint Benedict offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems, and applicants to the Nursing Early Admission Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1689 | 87.80% | — | 21–31 |
| University of Kansas | Test Optional* (Permanent) | The University of Kansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.4+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 16204 | 87.84% | 1090–1320 | 21–28 |
| Whittier College | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Whittier College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit standardized test scores. | 2740 | 87.88% | 1190–1400 | 24–31 |
| Michigan State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Michigan State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 53341 | 87.95% | 1110–1320 | 24–30 |
| Kent State | Test Optional (Permanent) | Kent State requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 20369 | 88.02% | 990–1210 | 18–25 |
| Susquehanna University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Susquehanna University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4688 | 88.03% | 1090–1250 | 22–28 |
| University of Washington—Bothell | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Washington—Bothell offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 4537 | 88.08% | 1150–1360 | 25–32 |
| Washington and Jefferson College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Washington and Jefferson College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 3414 | 88.08% | 1020–1250 | 19–18 |
| Ohio University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Ohio University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 21733 | 88.55% | 1070–1290 | 22–27 |
| Texas State University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Texas State offers a test optional policy for students in the top 75% of their graduating class. All students ranked in the fourth quartile of their class must submit scores that meet assured admission standards for admission. | 28453 | 88.60% | 990–1170 | 19–26 |
| Miami University—Oxford | Test Optional (Temporary) | Miami Ohio has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 29990 | 88.60% | 1180–1350 | 24–30 |
| Wheaton College (IL) | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Wheaton offers a test optional policy. However, students applying from non-accredited schools are required to submit scores. | 1872 | 88.68% | 1260–1420 | 28–33 |
| Georgia Southern University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Georgia Southern with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 14680 | 88.89% | 990–1140 | 18–23 |
| University of Utah | Test Optional (Permanent) | The University of Utah offers a test optional admission policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 21072 | 89.13% | 1200–1380 | 22–29 |
| University of California—Merced | Test Free (Permanent) | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 28895 | 89.50% | 1030–1350 | 20–31 |
| Arizona State University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | ASU requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top 25% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 68789 | 89.75% | — | — |
| Humboldt State University | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 9236 | 89.89% | 1040–1270 | 21–24 |
| George Mason University | Test Optional (Permanent) | George Mason University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who major in computer science and engineering majors, home-schooled applicants, and students seeking to become a member of one of George Mason's NCAA intercollegiate athletics teams are not eligible for test optional admission. The Volgenau School of Engineering entering classes of 2020 and 2021 are exempt from the 550 SAT Math/24 ACT Math requirement. | 20001 | 90.00% | 1160–1340 | 25–31 |
| California State University—Northridge | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 26276 | 90.15% | — | — |
| Iowa State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Iowa State is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 21919 | 90.22% | 1100–1350 | 21–28 |
| California State University—San Bernardino | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 15581 | 90.62% | 860–1070 | 18–23 |
| Transylvania University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Transylvania University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, test optional applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the Transylvania campus for an in-depth interview. | 1781 | 90.68% | 1120–1360 | 23–29 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Virginia Commonwealth University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. However, submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 18402 | 90.73% | 1040–1290 | 22–30 |
| Colorado State University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Colorado State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 33122 | 90.77% | 1080–1280 | 23–29 |
| Utah State | Test Optional (Permanent) | USU offers a test optional policy. While SAT or ACT scores are not required for application, they are recommended for scholarship consideration. | 15276 | 90.95% | 1050–1310 | 21–28 |
| Montclair State | Test Optional (Permanent) | Montclair State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 21393 | 91.31% | 970–1200 | — |
| California State University—Chico | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 22137 | 91.81% | 930–1200 | 20–28 |
| Duquesne University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Duquesne offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9634 | 91.93% | 1160–1290 | 24–29 |
| University of North Carolina—Greensboro | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 11515 | 91.94% | 1110–1280 | 22–27 |
| California State University—Sacramento | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 25443 | 92.25% | — | — |
| University of Toledo | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Toledo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12564 | 92.26% | 1060–1280 | 21–28 |
| California State University—Monterey Bay | Test Free (Permanent) | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 12582 | 92.28% | 1020–1260 | 20–28 |
| Goshen College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Goshen offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/AC scores. | 991 | 92.33% | 1010–1220 | 26–30 |
| Hope College | Test Optional (Permanent) | Hope College offers a test optional policy. | 4172 | 92.38% | 1120–1330 | 25–32 |
| East Carolina | Test Optional (Temporary) | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 21383 | 92.40% | 1070–1230 | 18–24 |
| University of Portland | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Portland has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 10122 | 92.51% | 1220–1410 | 27–31 |
| University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley | Test Optional (Temporary) | UTRGV has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 10970 | 92.57% | 930–1120 | 16–21 |
| Portland State | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Portland State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attended homeschool, or a non-accredited, non-standard high school are required to submit test scores. | 7926 | 93.09% | 1080–1290 | 18–27 |
| University of the Pacific | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of the Pacific offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5891 | 93.23% | 1130–1420 | 25–33 |
| Stetson University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Stetson University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7344 | 93.80% | 1060–1260 | 20–27 |
| University of Kentucky | Test Optional (Temporary) | UK has extended their temporary test optional policy to students entering in the 2028–29 academic year. | 21695 | 94.01% | 1080–1310 | 22–29 |
| Valparaiso University | Test Optional (Permanent) | Valparaiso offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 6842 | 94.15% | — | — |
| University of Maine | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Maine offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 14447 | 94.16% | 1080–1320 | 24–30 |
| Kansas State University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | Kansas State requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9703 | 95.14% | 1130–1300 | 20–27 |
| Old Dominion University | Test Optional* (Permanent) | ODU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, not all applicants may be eligible for test optional admission. Please check with the university. | 14435 | 95.14% | 1100–1240 | 22–27 |
| University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 15355 | 95.20% | — | — |
| University of Montana | Test Optional (Permanent) | University of Montana offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 8943 | 95.38% | 1100–1280 | 19–26 |
| University of Wyoming | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Test scores are not currently required for undergraduate admission decisions to the University of Wyoming. Though not required, scores are recommended for financial assistance. Students who have earned their GED and are under 21 years old must submit SAT or ACT scores. | 5797 | 95.98% | 1030–1230 | 20–27 |
| Western Kentucky | Test Optional* (Permanent) | WKU requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.5+ GPA. | 7505 | 96.95% | 990–1160 | 18–25 |
| University of Mississippi | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Ole Miss has extended their temporary test optional policy for students with a 2.0+ GPA. Although they are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2024–25 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs and for academic placement. | 22311 | 97.38% | — | — |
| The Citadel | Test Optional (Permanent) | The Citadel is a test optional institution. | 2253 | 98.58% | 1100–1250 | 23–27 |
| University of South Dakota | Test Optional* (Permanent) | University of South Dakota requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.6+ GPA, rank in the top 50% of their class, or achieve a 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced Assessments. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 4480 | 99.46% | 1050–1260 | 19–25 |
| University of Texas—El Paso | Test Optional* (Permanent) | UTEP requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class. | 10493 | 99.92% | 870–990 | 16–22 |
| Weber State | Test Optional (Permanent) | Weber State University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores are recommended to help determine scholarship eligibility and Math & English placement. | 7357 | 100.00% | — | 18–25 |
About 95% of schools have reported for the classes entering in fall 2022 or 2021, which were the first admission cycles with widespread temporary test optional policies in response to students’ inability to test during the early months of the pandemic. This is evident in the absence of score data at some schools. Scores for enrolled students entering in the fall of 2023 should become generally available by late spring or summer of 2024.
Art, my junior son recieved his new SAT score and he made a 1540. He has mid 700’s in math1,math2,chemistry a 730 and plans on taking lit. SATII which he will get high 700’s if not 800. He took the old SAT two years ago and got a 2230. He has 8AP classes under his belt all 5’s and 4’s except two 3’s. He will finish next year,his senior year with AP statistics and probably a 5 or 4, so nine qualified AP’s in all. Considering that except for his junior and senior year, which he is attending Stanford online high school and will finish this year with straight A’s, do you think since he was homeschooled all the years prior to that he should take the ACT also,just to give the colleges more to go on?
Dan,
I have not heard any college prefer homeschoolers take both the SAT and ACT, and it would not be useful in your son’s case. It is certainly true that homeschoolers face added testing requirements — usually in the form of Subject Tests. With Math, Chemistry, and Literature (soon) in hand, he is in good shape there, as well. One of the reasons why colleges accept the SAT and ACT interchangeably is that they provide similar insights.
Thanks Art.
My son has taken the most rigorous courses offered by his school and has done very well. He scored (old SAT) 650 CR, 800 Math and 780 writing. We talked to a few colleges about their policies on old SAT vs. new SAT. Surprisingly we heard from an Ivy League admissions staff that they will not consider the writing on old SAT. They will simply compare scores on old SAT reading/math vs. the new SAT. Have you heard how colleges will treat old SAT vs. the new one? Thanks!l
Michael, I answered your question in a separate post, but I am going to duplicate my response here for completeness:
The response you got is indicative of the lack of respect that the Writing test always received on the old SAT — and the misunderstandings surrounding it. The old SAT and new SAT are treated as totally different tests, which is why a concordance is needed in the same way that one is needed between the SAT and ACT. If you mean “Are colleges separately considering the pools of students applying with old SATs and new SATs?,” the answer is “No.”
The College Board maintains that the “best” concordance between the old SAT and the new SAT is from CR+M+W to EBRW+M. The admission office is both right and wrong. Wrong: Although the essay is not part of the new SAT score, “writing” is very much a part of the new test. Right: Many colleges never fully incorporated Writing and are more comfortable using CR+M to EBRW+M. To allow for this, College Board does provide this concordance. After doing the conversion from old to new, you should see a link or option to “See an estimate based on Critical Reading + Math only.” In your son’s case, the CR+M estimate converts to a 1490 on the new SAT. We’ve also provided a table with the CR+M concordance. Unfortunately, there is no universal rule as to how colleges will convert among old SAT, new SAT, and ACT, which is why College Board has provided them a number of options.
Thank you very much for your timely response and insights! In your opinion, should my son take ACT or the new SAT since his CR is relatively low. Do colleges emphasize more on the total score or individual section score? His reach/match schools are Cornell, Dartmouth, Tuft’s, Emory, USC, Wash U, and Cargenie Mellon. He has taken most challenging courses (e.g. Multivariable calculus, differential equations, computer science etc..) offered by his school and maintains a 4.0 unweighted GPA. He has presented biology research paper at a national conference and will be interning at scripps research institute. In addition, he is a competitive swimmer since he was 7. He really would like to focus on essays and SAT subject tests now. Your suggestions will be much appreciated!
Michael,
I’d put a good amount of weight in how your son did on the PSAT to help make the ACT / new SAT decision. Since it sounds like your son is quite comfortable with STEM, I imagine the science of ACT Science is not going to scare him off. But its demand for relentless reading pace can disadvantage some students. I’d recommend that he take a released ACT and mimic test day conditions (exact timing, no disallowed breaks, etc.). Your son’s situation is very similar to John’s daughter’s (I just posted a reply). Three-quarters of the new SAT, it could be argued, is made up of areas that play to your son’s strengths — Math and Writing/Language.
Colleges love to hide behind the word “holistic” when answering questions such as yours. Section scores and total scores both come into play. A student applying to STEM programs, for example, is going to want to be 650CR/800M rather than the other way around. For colleges that emphasize the CR+M portions of the old SAT, your son’s 780W may not receive the weight it deserves. Cornell is a good example of a school that never cared much for SAT Writing. I don’t like seeing students doing more testing than they need to do, but I also know how important it is to feel that one’s testing portfolio is as at least as strong as the other components of an application. With that last part in mind, I think it could be worthwhile to test again. I would try to decide soon between the new SAT and ACT and then plan for Sept or Oct testing.
Art,
Thank you very much for your suggestions! My son is interested in studying Econ with a minor in Computer Science or Math. Since he is stronger in STEM than English, do you see any advantage of applying “undeclared”?
Michael,
I try not to venture to far afield from my expertise in testing. That said, it’s likely that your son will put together a more convincing application if he is forthright about his goals. His strong STEM scores seem completely compatible with Econ/CS/Math.
Art,
Thank you for this information. Where, though, did you hear that colleges won’t report new scores until 2018 and guidebooks until a little later?
Thanks!
Jeff,
Few colleges publish class profiles until students are on campus, so some numbers will start showing up in the fall of 2017. However, wide-scale, uniform reporting is done through surveys such as the Common Data Set (College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News) and IPEDS (Dept. of Education). The CDS is based on enrolled students and is collected over the course of the academic year. In other words, colleges will begin putting the numbers together in late 2017 and finish by spring 2018. The major guidebooks join this information with their own data collection efforts and will publish in Aug/Sept of 2018.
If you look at a currently available version of U.S. News, for example, you’ll see that the data comes from the 2014-2015 CDS. This information is based on the HS class of 2014 (technically on the incoming college freshman class of 2018). Most of those students took the SAT in 2013! The admission and reporting cycles create a dark period when a major shift takes place. We saw this happen when the SAT I became SAT Reasoning and Writing was added. At the time, the change was not as visible because the CR and M sections were considered equated to the older test. It will be interesting to see how colleges, CDS, and publishers handle the fact that many in the class of 2017 will be applying with old SAT scores.
Sir
i would be extremely thankful if you replied me. i have a couple of queries that you may help me with. Kindly reply asap. Thanks in advance 🙂
Sir
i am student who is looking to pursue a undergraduate program in economics. Kindly suggest whether i should pursue Bsc or Ba in economics. Also, if you could suggest me a list of top 5 colleges in the us for an economics degree, that would be great. See, i am an international applicant so i intend to obtain a good amount of financial aid.
Also, for these colleges what is the appropriate NEW SAT score range ?
I know my questions are bit off the topic and require a long answer but i would be beholden to you for such help.
Thanking you in advance.
Tarun,
College counseling is not my area of expertise, but US News and USA Today have lists of what they consider the top undergraduate economics programs. These also happen to be some of the most competitive colleges in the country. You can lookup the new SAT score ranges of these schools using the Compass 360 page right here. Many other colleges in the U.S. have excellent economics programs. The College Board has a search tool that allows you to lookup colleges by major.
My daughter will be a senior in high school next year. She took the new SAT and got a 660 for Math and a 650 in Reading. Her father is insisting she take the test again to try for a higher score. I am saying she can wait until we get her ACT scores from the test she took last weekend, and that her scores aren’t bad since the SAT board is saying they are 92nd %tile. She is at a state residential high school that only takes the top 1% of students, has lots of unique experiences like a year long study of artificial intelligence that resulted in a published paper, and has been active in clubs. She is looking at specific colleges – Creighton, Kalamazoo, St. Lawrence, Bradley, St.John/St. Benedict, and Knox. We need a person not invested in her success in life to give a non biased opinion. Her end goal is to become a pediatrician.
Nora,
Now is a good time of year to assess where your daughter stands and what you should do moving forward, because you can make decisions without the rush of spring test dates. Your daughter should get her ACT scores (at least the multiple-choice portion) next week. The next upcoming testing opportunities are September (ACT) and October (SAT). Among the options would be 1) Sit tight. No reason for additional testing. 2) Retake the SAT. 3) Retake the ACT. 4) Retake both. Let’s discard #4 right away. As a rising senior, she should be concentrating on her best opportunity. You can compare her SAT and ACT scores using the new concordance tables.
One question to consider is “What is the goal of higher scores?” For some students, it is about trying to do well enough to make a “reach” school. For other students it is about improving their chances at their target list of colleges. It sounds like your daughter fits in the latter group. She has identified an excellent set of colleges, and her SAT score is already well-aligned with those colleges.
College Board has made a mess of the transition to the new test by confusing parents and students with faulty percentiles. There are “National” percentiles and “User” percentiles, for example. Although “User” is closer to what we would consider the standard definition, even there they have had to base the numbers off of a sample study. If we convert your daughter’s 1310 into a score on the old SAT (CR+M), it would be a 1250. That score was the 85th percentile for the class of 2015. The good news is that you don’t have to worry much about how students did across the country. You should be most concerned about how your daughter did relative to students applying to her selected colleges. While few universities make available applicant scores, we do know that her scores would likely put her above the mean of the freshman class of 2021 at her target schools. That said, her scores alone are not so high that they will differentiate her from other applicants.
What would happen if your daughter retook the test and her scores went down? I did a quick check of the mentioned colleges, and they almost all superscore the SAT. In all cases they recognize Score Choice. So a lower score would not hurt your daughter and a mixed score (up in EBRW and down in M) would benefit her.
Retaking the SAT is not that hard. It involves a test fee and a miserable 4 hours on a Saturday morning in the fall. Truly preparing for the retake is the rub. Repeating an exam without some form of additional preparation will usually result in similar scores. In order for her to raise her scores, she’ll need to study for the test. She’ll build on what she did right and what she did wrong. She’ll need to put it all together on test day. In short, she has to be willing to work for a higher score. So I’ve left to the end the most important question to consider. Is she interested in that? A thoughtful program of self-study or commercial preparation need not (should not!) conflict with her college applications and other pursuits. But she will need to feel invested.
I can’t claim a “non-biased opinion” because I do test preparation and test advising for a living. I do know what added joy there is in working with a student who understands the goal of her efforts and can also appreciate that there is an end in sight.
How is a new SAT score of 1360 considered ? Is it competitive enough to be considered in an Ivy league school assuming that my rest of the application is strong enough ?
Your score would be low for the most competitive schools such as the Ivies. While those colleges take a “holistic” review and do not have cutoff scores, most of their applicants will have 1400+ scores on the new SAT.
is it possible with a 1340 on the new Sat to be considered for a presidential scholarship at a mid-tier university. Ive never been interested in IVy leagues along with alot of AP test taken and passed. Also 4+ GPA weighted. and 3.96 unweighted
Ibu,
I’m afraid that there are too many variables to give you a good answer. I am assuming that you are referring to “Presidential” or “Trustee” Or “Honors” scholarships awarded by many universities as opposed to the U.S. Presidential Scholars program, which is incredibly competitive (only 161 awards per year). Most colleges maintain a website with information about the minimum qualifications for awards. Some programs are automatic for qualifiers, and others involve an application and competition. Your GPA sounds strong. Your SAT score may be a bit weaker for merit scholarships, but the range of programs is enormous. Best of luck.
Hello I recently retook the New SAT in June after getting a 1340 on the March SAT and ended up with a 1420. Since the next Date, Oct 1st, would be cutting it too close when receiving my scores back for college admissions, where do I currently stand when competing for more competitive schools such as Ivies or slightly lesser competitive ones like Rice or Emory.
Lemar,
It is important to keep in mind that test scores are only one component — and not the most important one — in the admission process. You can use the 25th-75th percentile estimates to give yourself a rough idea of where your scores stack up. In general, scores closer to the 75th percentile than the 25th percentile would at least mean that scores should not be a drag on the average student’s application. The trick in holistic admission is that one can’t always define “average.” Certain talents may impress admission officers. Certain characteristics may work against you at one school but not another.
Hi Art,
I just wanted to let you know that your percentiles for Columbia are either wrong or outdated. Their 75th percentile SAT total is 1580 according to their Class of 2021 profile which can be found online. It’s unlikely it was higher in previous years. The listed 25th percentile is also correct. Because of that I have trouble believing lots of the information here. Please make it clear what your sources from or when you estimated for a college.
Concerned,
All of the figures are estimates based on prior actuals, and this is discussed in the Data Sources box at the bottom of the post. There is a good reason for this: reliable, comparable data is not yet available for all colleges. Let’s use Columbia as an example. The profile to which you refer is for Admits. Some colleges provide similar data, while others only provide the data for Enrollees. We believe that the data for the first-year class (enrollees) is more indicative of a college’s profile. Columbia has not yet made this information available. Some colleges — such as Columbia — only provide the total score in this sort of admits profile. In Columbia’s case, it clearly distinguishes between old SAT and new SAT. Other colleges choose to use concordant scores to put all scores on the same scale. In the fall, most colleges prepare extensive enrollment data for the government’s IPEDS survey and for the Common Data Set, which is organized by publishers such as Peterson’s, U.S. News, and College Board. CDS is the most representative data because colleges are expected to use the same definitions in answering the same questions. Colleges don’t have to make CDS information publicly available, but most start putting it on their websites around this time. [I don’t yet see Columbia’s.] Full CDS available will not be available until August 2018!
We are beginning the process of hunting down this year’s data to replace our estimates with the actual values. In the meantime, sources that claim to be based on actual data are almost certainly mixing a variety of different definitions. I prefer to avoid that as much as possible. I agree with you that Columbia’s final figures (based on what has been released) are likely to be lower than our estimates, although the difference is not substantial. We will, of course, update the figures as soon as we are comfortable with the new sources.
What chance, if any, will a 1480 (New SAT) or a superscore of 1490 get as far as merit scholarships?
Rog,
The landscape of merit scholarships is as wide as the college landscape — there are hundreds or thousands of variations. Many merit scholarships have GPA and SAT (or ACT) score minimums. In some cases those numbers qualify a student for scholarship dollars. In other cases, the minimums allow a student to enter a competition for scholarships. I’ll word it this way — there are precious few merit scholarships where your score would take you out of the running.
I have taken the new SAT twice already and got the same score of 1260 both times. The only exception is that instead of doing 630 and 630, the second time I did 640, 620 on each part. My goal is to go to NYU or USC. Should I take the SAT a third time or do I still have a chance to get in with those scores ?
USC and NYU are both so competitive that a 1260 is usually not sufficient. Even students with scores near the 25th percentile of admitted students at those schools (around 1350) have a decreased chance of admission.
Art,
I have been following your posts throughout the Compass website with much interest. Without exception, you show incredible insight, wisdom and patience. You will most likely need all three for this question.
My child has done quite well. He took the Old SAT once and the new SAT once. If you superscore the Old SAT (CR dropping the writing) then he would have a 1600. While I know schools aren’t superscoring in this manner, I have nevertheless been looking at the 75th percentile listings that are in your chart with some interest. You show a handful of schools that show the 75th percentile at 1600 or even 1590.
If you look at the size of the admitted incoming freshmen class for even one of these schools, it does not seem possible that the top 25% could all have scored a perfect 1600 since presumably there will be less than that number of perfect 1600s in the entire country, much less having the odds of all of those perfect scores attending a single school resulting in a 75th percentile listing of 1600. Am I missing something? How can the 75th percentile be 1600 for one school, much less 4 or 5 schools? Mathematically (I am admittedly not math oriented), it seems that the 75th percentiles would have to be at least in the 1570 to 1590 range even for the most elite schools. In short, are these somewhat inflated?
Thanks again for your insight….and patience,
Grateful Dad
Grateful,
Good questions. In your child’s case, I would recommend using the concordance tables to take his new scores back into the old. The reason I say that is that all of the “true” college numbers are reported as old SAT scores. You can then compare those scores to the 25th – 75th scores reported by the colleges (you can find these in a number of places such as US New or the College Board’s college selection tool. As you point out, you do not want to superscore these, because the colleges won’t. They may evaluate all of the scores holistically, so it is still good to know, for example, that one of the Math SAT scores is better than the other.
There are several assumptions underlying our table of new score ranges. First, there is the assumption that the concordance tables are accurate! I think they are pretty good. The important assumption is that the admitted classes for 2017 will be similar to earlier classes. If this is true, then the individual Math and EBRW scores should be accurate. The total 400-1600 score is a bit trickier. There were two main options. The more correct way would be to concord all of the values into the total score. The other option is to simply add the two scores. We decided that 1) just about all guidebooks used the sum 2) it’s less confusing for students and parents (“Why don’t these add up?”) and 3) the differences are not large. You are correct, though, that there would be a slight overstatement, because the students that get 790 on EBRW are not the same students who get 790 on M. You are best off comparing the individual scores.
You bring up a fascinating question. About 2,000 students got a 1600 on the CR+M on the old SAT. I think that’s the best starting point. The “easier” new SAT means that we might see closer to 3,000 students. Those students end up at lost of schools, but my guess is that they are highly concentrated among 6-10 schools. The schools we estimate to have a 75th percentile of 1600 would probably “consume” about 1500-2000 of those. That may not be that far off. Ultimately it’s academic as 1570, 1580, etc. are essentially equivalent from an admission officer’s perspective.
solomon
i have taken the new sat and scored 1420.also i have subject tests 760 math and 700 chemisry.i am looking for a merit based scholarship could i get ful ride at any universty in us? reccomend me if there is any college or universty.i am an international student.
Solomon,
Many colleges limit the financial aid available to international students. This means that the aid that is available is highly competitive. This is not my area of expertise, so I would suggest a resource such as the U.S. State Department’s guide to studying in the U.S. The site includes tools for searching for financial aid.
It looks that the author simply added up the other two columns to get the column “SAT Total 25th – 75th percentile”. But that’s extremely misleading. Students in the 75th percentile for Math may not be also in the 75th percentile for EBRW. So the actual total scores for the 75th percentile are lower, probably quite lower while the actual total scores for the 25th are higher than what are shown here.
Max,
I appreciate your feedback. As the co-author, I can confirm that we have added EBRW and Math to obtain the Total score. This is explained in the Data Methodology footnote:
“This does not necessarily produce the same result as if a school reported the 25th percentile Total score and 75th percentile Total score. However, colleges do not report 400-1600 or 600-2400 score in the Common Data Set, and it has been the practice of most publishers to simply sum the component scores.”
We had to decide whether it was better to leave off the Total score or to present it in this way. Since we knew many students and parents think of a “1410” or a “1250,” we decided to include it. A few colleges have historically presented inter-quartile combined scores. In these cases, the differences from the sum-of-the-scores method proved to be minor. It’s important that all such scores be viewed skeptically. Most colleges and guidebooks provide only scores for enrolled students, for example. The average scores of enrolling students, though, are lower than that of accepted students.
Sir,
I did the new SAT and received a good EBRW. However the Reading and Writing differ by 7 on the 40 scale. Considering that colleges have given the old Critical Reading more weight than they do for Writing, should I retake the SAT to improve my Reading section?
Thankyou.
Hieu,
That sort of discrepancy is fairy large (140 points if we considered them 200-800 scores), but it is not unexpected in an international student. Grammar rules tend to be easier to master than the close reading skills required on EBR. Colleges gave more weight to the old Critical Reading SAT because of tradition (it pre-dated Writing) and because there was skepticism about the Writing test (much of it swirling around the essay). Most colleges will look at EBRW as the equivalent of an old Verbal Score. I don’t think many will try to parse out the differences between the sections. The obvious question is, “Will you improve your Reading score?” If you feel that you underperformed, then you should re-test. If Reading was in line with the official practice tests, then you should consider whether or not you have the time and resources required to raise your score.
Art,
My junior son received his new SAT score and he made a 1540. This was the first time that he took the SAT (except for 7th grade through DUKE TIP) . He got 800 on the Reading and Writing section and 740 on the Math section. He also took the essay and he got 8, 7, 7.
Do you think that rather than retake the SAT it would be enough if he takes the SAT II Math subject test to show colleges that he is a good Math student? He wants to apply to highly selective colleges. He also has 2 subject tests, Biology 760 and World History 800. He wants to study medicine or veterinary medicine.
Thank You!
Heidi,
It looks like I may have neglected to get back to you on this — my apologies. I think that his testing portfolio will be in excellent shape if he can post a good Math 2 score. There is little benefit in trying to move up from a 1540. Although some of the most selective colleges superscore, it is a lower percentage than even highly competitive schools.
Hi Art,
My son earned a 34 on ACT (English 36, Reading 36, Science 33, Math 31), and he just received his scores for the new SAT of 1480 and a 7 out of 8 on the SAT Writing. He is very upset over the SAT score being lower than he feels he needs for a competitive school, and so we are wondering if it would be a good idea to not have the SAT scores sent to colleges? He has already sent his ACT score, and although I feel his SAT score is respectable, I feel that advice from your would be very helpful. He is the Editor in Chief of the Yearbook, Treasurer of National Honor Society, Vice-President of Key Club, Marching Band, etc.. He has taken 8 AP classes with scores of all 4’s and 5’s. He had two surgeries in 9th grade, which affected his grades then, and so he only has an overall GPA of 3.53 as a Senior. I feel appreciative of any advice you may offer, as I honestly do not know whether his SAT scores will hurt his chances of applying for Ivy schools. Have a great day:
Maryann,
Your son’s SAT score is respectable; it just so happens that his ACT score is better. Because SAT and ACT scores fill the same niche for admission officers, there is no benefit in submitting both in your son’s case. His ACT score wins. There are some colleges (hello, Yale!) that expect students to send all scores. Even those colleges are generally looking at the more “supportive” scores.
Overlapping a couple of topics here…would a score of 1500 on the new SAT confirm pSAT scores to qualify for National Merit Scholarship finalist? My daughter went into the SAT overly confident after scoring 35 on her SAT, and chose not to put in any prep time for the test. She is now disappointed with her score.
Natasha,
A 1500 is well above the level needed to qualify as a Finalist. You can calculate an SAT Selection Index (SSI) the same way the Selection Index is calculated from PSAT/NMSQT scores. I personally find the easiest way as doubling the EBRW score, adding the Math score, and dropping a zero. The confirming level for the SSI has been set at 209 for the class of 2017. I can’t calculate your daughter’s exact SSI only knowing the 1500 total score, but I can calculate the very LOWEST that it could be. If I assume a 700 EBRW and 800 Math, her SSI would be (700×2) + 800 = 2200; drop a zero = 220. While her ACT score is stronger, her SAT score will not hold her back in qualifying as a Finalist.
Art, my two daughters attended private women’s colleges in Massachusetts, Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley. Neither had degrees that one would associate with off the bus success, (Economics 2013 and and Anthropolgy Dec 2016) Both have high paying jobs and both have been promoted repeatedly. (Anthropolgy, health care company, promoted 4 politions in 10 months, Ecobomics 3 ;positions in 6 months)
One thing I think people don’t realize is there’s more to college than the name. An undergrads chances of getting into Harvard are almost nil, yet their chances of getting into Harvard Grad school are quite high, if they go to an affilaite college and have leadership experience in their jobs. IMO, people with daughters that don’t look at the 7 sisters are fools. Both of my daughters know the CEO’s of their companies. The level of confidence and leadership a woman gets from these colleges is worth more than what they learn in a classroom.
When I look at my daughters, I don’t see me. I didn’t raise them. They were raised by the girl scouts, 4h, European exchange programs and finally, women’s colleges that focus on developing female leaders. Life isn’t a hotrserace.
Paul,
Thank you for sharing the example of your daughters. It’s easy to get caught up in college admission and forget that life is long, college is short. Success comes from so many places and in so many forms. Of course no one would mistake Mt. Holyoke and Wellesley as anything but excellent colleges. It’s a shame that they are sometimes overlooked.
Hi I’m a high school junior. I am taking the SAT next Saturday. I scored a 1420 on my psat, but I feel like I didn’t fully prepare for it and I felt like I could have done better. I’ve taken 6 APs, and I plan to take 5 more next year. Do I even stand a chance at an Ivy League?
May,
Your PSAT won’t impact your admission chances, so you have plenty of opportunities to put together a great testing portfolio. If you haven’t already made plans, be sure to consider Subject Tests in May or June. Ivy League admission is always a competitive race that is hard to predict. Your grades will be the number 1 factor. Good luck on the SAT!
sir, if we are getting upto 1000 sat scrore, is it sure that we will get addmission in universities which require less score than it?
Haris,
Test scores are just one of many factors that colleges use for admission. Except in limited circumstances, an SAT score alone will not guarantee that you get into a university.
Art,
My daughter is a Junior at a top rated public HS in MA. She just received her second round of SAT scores. A Super Score puts her at 1490. She took the Biology subject test in 9th grade and received a 700. She’ll have 6 APs by the time she completes her Senior year. Her GPA is a weighted 4.68 out of a possible 4.8 (adjusted North for Honors and AP Selections). She’s interested in Brown as a reach and Bowdoin, Tufts, Amherst as targets and Conn College, Bucknell as safeties. She’s got 7 letters in two sports, a class officer, NHS, Theater etc… Her interests lie in biosciences but she’s a well rounded student who enjoys a broad liberal arts curriculum.
Three Qs…
1) Can you handicap the school list above? She loves Brown and we know well the take rate is low but she’ll interview exceptionally well.
2) Is it worth taking a swing at the SATs again?
3) Worth trying additional subject tests or a retake of BIO since that was 9th grade?
Appreciate any insights.
Karl,
My knowledge goes deep in college admission testing, but I try to recognize my limits in college admission expertise. I’ll beg out of #1 and try to answer #2 and #3. Raising her SAT score could help her chances at her top schools. She is certainly in range with her 1490, but the overall figured include many “hooked” students (if she is at recruitable level in either of her sports, that would be a big boost). She’ll need 2 Subject Tests at Brown and Tufts. Repeating Bio is largely dependent on how her knowledge has improved or degraded. If she has kept up in Biology, I’d encourage her to consider a repeat (a student who really doesn’t want to do a repeat is a student who shouldn’t do a repeat). I believe that all of the schools you’ve listed recognize Score Choice, so she only has to worry about sending her best efforts.
Thanks so much for the reply and apologies for the belated response. She finally took the ACTs and achieved a 35 composite score. She achieved a 5 on two APs (APUSH and English L&C) last spring, taking 5 AP courses this year (she’s tracking to her historical norm through 1 term). She’s taking AP BIO so will likely retake that SAT subject test. Recruitable in soccer but interested on in playing club for fun.
ACT was a dramatically different and easier experience for her FWIW.
That’s great news. Congratulations to your daughter! Some students just click with one test versus the other. That also works out well with AP Bio and the ST. I still have to beg off on handicapping.
Hi, Art,
Lately I’ve been reading several lively discussions about the accuracy – or not – of the SAT concordance. In particular, as colleges release their ED statistics, the concordance appears to be low by some 10 – 40 points, especially at the 700 and above level.
For example, here’s Vanderbilt Early Decision Class of 2021: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2017/02/class-of-2021-early-decision-summary-statistics/
Old SAT
Middle 50% Critical Reading: 710-790
Middle 50% Math: 750-800
New SAT
Middle 50% Evidence Based Reading and Writing: 710-760
Middle 50% Math: 730-790
Middle 50% ACT: 33-34
I’ve seen similar figures in scores from Boston College, Williams, Virginia and U Georgia. Would you care to share anything you might be seeing or hearing on this subject?
Cheers!
Dia
Dia,
This is a topic I’ve looked at closely the last couple of weeks as we developed a presentation for college counselors. In addition to the schools you mentioned, I looked at 2020 and 2021 ED data for GaTech, Dartmouth, and Georgetown. I’ve also analyzed PSAT and SAT data for multiple classes and sub-groups.
My evidence is that it is not a problem with the concordance, per se. In other words, all of the pure testing evidence shows the expected increase in scores (at least within a reasonable range). It’s not a familiar role for me to defend College Board, but it seems that they did a reasonable job. I’ll add the caveat that the place on the scale where it is hardest to verify the success of the concordance is in the 750-800 range that comes into play at many of these colleges.
We are left with student behavior and college behavior/policies to best explain what we are seeing. I’m not sure that we’ll ever be fully able to explain things without a research study involving colleges and the College Board. I doubt that will happen, because the old SAT is a non-issue going forward.
Some parts of the explanation are less speculative than others. First, there has been a significant shift to the ACT in the applicant pool. Among the high scoring students at these schools, it represents the biggest shift in history. Similarly, there was a burst of activity of students taking the old SAT pre-March. Few of the colleges provide a distribution of results for both the class of 2020 and 2021 across the different tests. If we assume that there was a bias among high scoring students toward the ACT or toward the old SAT, then we would expect to see lower than expected new SAT scores. This bias would also be more likely with ED/EA students, as they often want to get testing done early, and the new SAT represented a real problem with that plan. There is also a chance that the self-selection bias led to sub-optimal decisions in testing patterns and in preparation. Did the student who would have tried to go from a 700/700 old SAT decide not to retake with a 730/740 new SAT? And even if they wanted to, did they have the time? There is also the possibility that students’ preparation for the new SAT was inadequate. At minimum, they didn’t have Oct-Jan junior year tests to inform their new SAT decisions.
Score choice and superscoring effects would be interesting to parse out. The latter certainly worked against SAT takers this year. ED/EA applicants were probably fairly evenly split between old SAT and new SAT testing, yet their scores are in separate buckets for superscoring. ACT early testers and ACT late testers had the opportunity to superscore all of their dates. The impact of Score Choice is less clear, but it’s yet another place for sub-optimal decisions. Did students release the “right” scores?
Also unclear in most cases are the definitions used by colleges. If a student submitted old and new SAT scores, how did colleges report them in their press releases? If they based it on “best scores,” were those best scores determined via concordance?
The area of behavior that we are all most intrigued by is how colleges thought about the new scores. Did they, in a sense, misuse them? Did admission officers, for instance, retain hard-coded pathways in their brains that treated everything above 750 as interchangeable? Some have speculated that because colleges did not explicitly use the concordance — Georgetown and UVa being obvious examples — that this automatically disadvantaged one group or the other. That’s not necessarily the case. Some colleges choose not to use an SAT/ACT concordance, yet they are able to come to reasonable conclusions through intra-group comparisons.
I’d like to say that this will all be sorted out with Regular Decision, but I’m certain that it won’t be. It looks like the class of 2018 will represent the first opportunity to see where ACT and new SAT scores really fall out in the new landscape.
Fascinating! Thank you very much. 🙂