Did you know that over 950 accredited colleges and universities are either test-optional or test-flexible - and the list is growing?  This means that many schools don’t require either the SAT or the ACT for some or all applicants, including half of the national liberal arts schools ranked in the “Top 100” by the recently published U.S. News “Best Colleges” guide.  Some will exempt students who meet a minimum GPA or only use standardized test scores for course placement purposes. Others may accept SAT subject tests, or AP or IB test scores in lieu of an SAT or ACT.  This trend reflects the growing body of evidence that standardized test scores aren’t always a fair or reliable predictor of college readiness and many institutions who have gone test optional feel that they can more accurately gauge readiness by considering other factors in a student’s record and application.  

Schools that are test optional emphasize that you will not be at a disadvantage if you do not submit standardized test scores.  But do your homework! Some test optional institutions require the submission of scores to qualify for merit money, to be considered for honors programs, or to apply to specific programs. 

Of course, if your scores are higher than average for the school, you may benefit from submitting them.  Fairtest has a searchable database of schools that are test optional and test flexible as well as more information on the growing dialog about standardized testing.