COVID-19, Test-Optional Policies, and You

When the COVID-19 Pandemic caused a nationwide shut-down in March, 2020, no one anticipated the complications that would arise as businesses closed and workplaces, schools, and other essential services moved online for over a year. The pandemic’s effects on the world of standardized testing have been severe and far-reaching. Because of building closures and social distancing restrictions, many 2020 tests were completely cancelled. Those that occurred did so on a limited basis. These drastic changes made taking a test impossible for many high school students in 2020/early 2021 and, in some places, tests are still not being offered.

Colleges and universities recognized the difficulties students were having scheduling tests and also the inequities caused by students’ varying access to tests. Therefore, most colleges and universities became either test-blind or test-optional for 2021 applicants. Many of these policies have been extended through 2022, and some schools made the changes permanent.

So…when test scores are optional, how do you know if you should submit them if you have them?

Below is some information to help you navigate the terminology and the strategies for deciding whether or not you should submit your standardized test scores when you apply to college.

Test-blind vs. Test-optional

Universities and colleges took two approaches toward test scores during the pandemic. Some schools (for instance, the entire University of California system) decided to become test-blind schools. Test-blind schools do not accept standardized test scores at all. Even if a student submits them, the school will not evaluate or consider them. This method removes entirely test scores as a metric for admissions; all applicants are evaluated on GPA, extracurriculars, essays, etc.

Test-optional schools do not require students to submit standardized test scores but will accept them and use them to evaluate an applicant. These schools do not penalize students who cannot or do not submit test scores; however, strong test scores can boost students’ applications. Though some schools were test-optional pre-pandemic, and some colleges have become test-optional on a permanent basis, most colleges and universities adopted this policy only temporarily (through 2021 or 2022). For example, all 17 colleges in the UNC System will remain test-optional through 2022.

You must carefully check the official Admissions Department website of schools to which you apply to find each one’s current policy on test scores.

Should I submit my test scores?

If you were able to take a standardized test and you have an official score, how should you decide whether or not to send it with your college applications? When students have spent so much time and money preparing for and taking these tests, it can be difficult to analyze this question objectively. It can seem wasteful to not use your score. However, I encourage students and parents to take a step back and make this decision based on facts alone. The answer depends on three main variables: the competitiveness of the school to which you are applying; the average test score for the school to which you are applying; and the strength of your test score relative to your GPA.

It is extremely important to note that if you are applying to test-optional schools and choose not to submit a test score, colleges will not automatically assume that you took a test and had a low score. There are many reasons applicants do not have test scores this year; tests were cancelled all over the country, many tests that operated had limited seats, financial constraints on families made testing a large obstacle for many, and the list goes on. Colleges and universities with test-optional policies will not penalize you or make assumptions about your application if you do not submit scores. 

How does my test score compare to other applicants’?

Almost every college that accepts test scores will advertise the average scores of its most recently admitted class of students. Most Admission Department websites display an “Admitted Student Profile” that outlines the demographics of the school’s incoming freshman class. This information includes geographical data, gender and race breakdowns, and average test scores of admitted students. The college will usually provide a range of test scores that represent students from the 25th percentile through the 75th percentile of the admitted class. This is called the “Middle 50,” and it gives applicants a great way to judge whether or not their test scores will be considered weak or strong.

If your test scores fall below the given range, or if they are on the low end of the range, you should likely not submit them. Again, you will not be penalized for not submitting test scores. But you may be penalized for submitting a test score that is below average. Submitting a low test score will only hurt you.

If, however, your score is 75th percentile or higher, I advise you to submit your score. In this instance, the score can only help you.

How does my test score compare to my GPA?

A solid test score can bolster a GPA that may not completely represent your abilities. If your GPA is not as high as you wish, or if you struggled with online learning and experienced a GPA dip, submitting a high test score will only help you.

On the flip side, if you have a high GPA but a test score on the lower end of the range, submitting a test score will likely hurt you.

If you have a high GPA and a high test score, submitting the test score won’t add much, but it certainly won’t hurt you and it will reinforce your strong application.

How competitive is the school to which I am applying?

If you are applying to a school that is highly competitive (20% or lower acceptance rate) and you have a high test score (at or above the school’s 75th percentile), you should probably submit your score. In a competitive environment, your score provides an additional data point for s school to use when considering whether or not you would be successful at the institution.

If your test scores fall below the given range, or if they are on the low end of the range, you should not submit them to a highly competitive school.

 Note on Merit Scholarships:

Some schools use standardized test scores to evaluate students for merit-based scholarships and grants. If the school to which you are applying uses this as a metric and your score is high enough to warrant consideration, you will want to make sure to submit your score. Check the official website of your potential schools to see if they use test scores in this way.