Here’s Why Admissions Most Experts Say You Should Still Take the SAT/ACT

More than 1,900 colleges and universities in the US are now test-optional in admissions.

Still, many experts argue that despite test-optional policies, standardized test scores still matter. Forbes recently investigated how test-optional colleges are assessing applicants and spoke to experts on why, at some schools, students who submit test scores tend to have higher chances of getting admitted.

TEST SCORES OFFER A LEG UP

While test scores are no longer required at test-optional colleges, many experts say that submitting your application with a strong score doesn’t hurt. In fact, in many cases, it can actually help.

“Even at test-optional schools, the trend remains that students with higher test scores are admitted at higher rates than those without them,” Brian Galvin, of Varsity Tutors, says.

Galvin says applicants should be aware of the difference between ‘test-blind’ and ‘test-optional’ schools. Test-blind means a school won’t consider any standardized test scores. Test-optional means that while test scores aren’t required, admissions officers could still take them into consideration in making a decision.

“When a school says that it’s test-optional, the subtext says high scores are still preferred,” Galvin says.

IF YOU SCORE HIGH, SUBMIT IT

The general consensus among admissions experts is that applicants should plan to take the SAT or ACT. And if you score well, be sure to include it in your application.

Admit rates for students who submit SAT or ACT scores tends to be significantly higher—sometimes up to two times—than for non-submitters at some colleges.

“While some of this is attributable to submitters presenting stronger applications to begin with, many college programs, especially highly selective ones and many in STEM fields like engineering, value and prefer to see test scores,” Dr. Robert Kohen, of Kohen Educational Services, says.

A strong test score can be particularly beneficial if other aspects of your application are lacking, such as a low GPA.

“Getting a high score on the SAT or ACT signals the prospective school of your intellectual vitality and that you are academically competent to get admitted and succeed in college-level classes,” Karina Yamamoto, of Your Admissions Advisor, says. “Some students excel in standardized testing and may use strong scores to offset other aspects of their application.”

Sources: Forbes, IvyWise