College admissions policies regarding standardized testing fall into three distinct categories: test optional, test blind, and test flexible. The distinction between these terms determines whether admissions officers will review SAT or ACT scores during the application evaluation. Applicants must understand these differences to decide where to apply and whether to submit exam results.
Test optional colleges allow applicants to decide whether or not to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. Most institutions will consider SAT and ACT scores if a student submits them but will focus on other factors if scores are omitted.
Admissions officers evaluate the application based on the materials provided. If a student withholds scores, the college weighs other metrics like GPA, course rigor, and essays more heavily. CollegeData notes that students who feel their scores do not reflect their potential benefit most from this flexibility. Submitting a strong score can still provide an advantage at these schools.
Students should research the average admitted scores for a specific institution. If a score falls within or above the middle 50% range of enrolled students, submitting the result typically strengthens the profile. Conversely, withholding scores below this range prevents potential negative bias.
Test blind (often called test-free) admissions means a college will not consider standardized test scores even if a student submits them. The admissions team evaluates candidates entirely on high school records, extracurricular activities, and personal statements.
Institutions adopt this policy to remove standardized testing bias from the process. The University of New England states that high school performance is a more significant predictor of academic success than a single exam. Under this system, students cannot use high SAT or ACT scores to offset a lower GPA.
The University of California system permanently adopted a test blind policy for all its campuses. FairTest tracks the growing list of schools that have ceased looking at testing data completely. Students applying to these schools should focus entirely on maximizing their GPA and essay quality.
Test flexible colleges allow students to choose which type of test they would like to submit to prove academic readiness. Options often include International Baccalaureate (IB) exams or Advanced Placement (AP) tests instead of the SAT or ACT.
New York University historically utilized this model to offer candidates multiple ways to demonstrate knowledge. The policy accommodates students who excel in specific subject areas but struggle with general standardized testing. Applicants must verify exactly which alternative exams each specific college accepts before applying.
The following table outlines the operational differences between the three major testing policies.
Feature
Test Optional
Test Blind
Test Flexible
Submission
Student Choice
Not Accepted
Student Choice of Exam
Score Review
Considered if sent
Never considered
Considered
Primary Focus
Holistic (with or without score)
GPA & Course Rigor
Subject Mastery
Strategy
Submit high scores only
Focus on essays/GPA
Submit best exam type
High school students must adapt their application strategy based on the specific policy of each target school. Students should still prepare for exams, as a high score remains a valuable asset for test optional schools.
Applicants stand out in test optional or test blind environments by highlighting academic rigor. Upward trends in grades and enrollment in challenging courses demonstrate readiness. Extracurricular leadership roles also gain additional weight when test scores are removed from the equation.
Some colleges engage in "superscoring," where they combine the highest section scores from multiple test dates. The College Board indicates that this practice benefits students who take the exam multiple times. Checking if a test optional school superscores can help a student decide whether to submit their results.
Some data suggests "submitters" may have slightly higher acceptance rates at certain institutions. However, colleges state that non-submitters are not penalized. Wake Forest University, a long-time test optional school, emphasizes that "optional" truly means optional.
The two are fundamentally different. Test optional allows the student to use a score as a value-add. Test blind removes the score from the table entirely, regardless of how high it is.
Most colleges force applicants to declare their testing status (submit or do not submit) at the time of application. Changing this status after the deadline is rarely permitted.
