How optional?
Yale and Dartmouth both recently announced that they are requiring standardized test scores starting with Fall 2025 admission (that is, for current high school juniors). They join a notable list of schools that are returning to SAT/ACT requirements and are a reversal of the test-optional policies largely enacted across colleges during COVID. Regardless of where you/your child is applying, it is worth noting this shift in policy and considering how this shapes your steps in the college process.
While the vast majority of colleges remains test optional, there is a possibility that other universities may also reverse policies and return to requiring test scores. (Please note, many colleges have only announced their policies through the next couple of years.) Whatever the future brings, there will still be a number of pathways for applicants to take. Figuring out which path you are on starts by asking yourself/your child, about your/their goals in a school: location, selectivity and majors are just some of the factors that come into play.
If you are looking at schools that have an acceptance rate of below 5%, or even below 10%, it is likely that you will need test scores for at least some of the schools you are considering, either because they are a requirement (MIT, Georgetown) or because they will help set you apart in a competitive landscape. (This can also apply to certain highly competitive programs within larger universities.) Therefore, start preparing as soon as possible - we typically recommend that sophomores take diagnostic SAT/ACT tests in the spring, and start their prep in the summer before junior year. However, if you are pursuing a degree from a music conservatory or art school, standardized testing may not be required. For most students in this category, devoting time to portfolios and auditions is almost certainly a better use of your time and energy.
Certain state governments have enacted rules for their publicly-funded colleges: if you are interested in applying to a state-funded university in Florida, test scores will be required. This is also the case with a number of colleges in Georgia, including Georgia Tech. But if you are looking at the University of California system, admissions are test blind, meaning they will not consider standardized test scores when reviewing an application.
Still, many students cannot tick off any of these boxes with certainty, and therefore remain unsure whether they should devote time and effort in pursuit of higher standardized test scores. If this rings true for you/your child, our answer remains the same…it depends! This is where all of the other factors come into play. So much of the decision-making process comes down to the individual: if your child has strong grades, but is not a great test-taker, test-optional can be a way to present a strong application. Alternatively, if your child has grades that are good but not great, and they have strong SAT/ACT scores, this can help admissions offices see their application in a new light.
If after all of these considerations you are still unsure, talk to a professional. A school counselor or private college counselor is always a great person to ask.