Test Optional: What Does it Mean?

Some colleges have recently announced plans to go test optional for Fall 2021 admissions due to COVID-19; many students and families have questions to what that means.  It’s important to remember that none of us can predict the future; we don't know when things will return to "normal". Colleges are doing their best to make plans and be flexible about the admissions process.  Know that every high school student is going through the same things. Colleges understand that students have not been in the classroom since March and that ACT and SAT test dates have been canceled.  

Test-optional colleges include the University of Washington and the University of California system; however, test-optional does not mean test-blind.  Many juniors took the ACT or SAT before March 2020 and will be submitting their scores.  No one is defined by a test score although a test score may be used as a data point in college admissions.

The March, April, and May test dates have been canceled.  As of this writing, the June SAT has also been canceled; the June ACT is likely to follow.  My advice is that juniors should continue to plan to take the ACT or SAT if possible.  This means continuing to study for the exams. 

• It is likely that ACT and SAT will go to a home testing, online format. The College Board, which also offers the SAT, figured out how to do it for AP testing. They do not want to lose the business.  Both the ACT and SAT have said they will add additional test dates.

• At more selective schools and programs, students who don't submit test scores may be at a disadvantage.  Students who plan to apply to the engineering or computer science programs at the University of Washington should plan to submit standardized tests if possible.

• Application deadlines for Fall 2021 admissions may be pushed back.  In the past, most college deadlines happened in November of senior year.  These dates may be moved to December or January to give students more time to take standardized tests.

To test or not is a personal decision and depends on the college. Colleges look at more than standardized test scores including a student’s cumulative GPA and transcript, activities, letters of recommendation, and essays. Students should focus on what they can control in the college process.

Mary Pat O’Neil

True Fit College Counseling