Do SAT Scores Actually Matter to Colleges in 2023? — Socratic Summer Academy (2024)

• As more schools go test-optional, it’s important to understand what that means for students who are going to be applying to college soon.

• Schools go test-optional in an attempt to increase diversity and be less reliant on standardized test scores in admissions decisions.

• But many top schools still require standardized tests.

• Get more college admissions tips on our blog!

First, some background: What does test-optional mean?

Test-optional schools don’t require applicants to submit test scores as part of their application. If students decide to submit test scores, the admissions office will consider those scores in making admissions decisions. But if students don’t want to submit their scores, they don’t have to. This is a great idea for students who feel their test scores don’t accurately show their potential, or if there is a large gap between a student’s grades and test scores.

More schools each year are going test-optional. By 2019, more than 1000 schools were test-optional, and by 2023 that number has grown to over 1900. National liberal arts universities have historically led the push to become test-optional, but now all types of schools have adopted test-optional policies. There are test-optional schools all across the country. Test-optional schools can be public or private, large or small.

Some well-known test-optional schools are:

• Brandeis University

• Bryn Mawr College

• Bowdoin College

• Pitzer College

• Wesleyan University

• George Washington University

• University of Chicago

Why do schools go test-optional?

Schools have been adopting test-optional policies as part of a push to be less reliant on standardized test scores in admissions decisions and more responsive to criticism that standardized test scores don’t show a complete picture of an applicant’s abilities. Additionally, some evidence shows that going test-optional helps increase a school’s diversity.

Here’s what Bowdoin’s test-optional policy says:

“Bowdoin College was the first school to eliminate standardized testing requirements. That was 50 years ago. Since 1969, we've been selecting the right applicants for Bowdoin, using only the materials that we require of you: your transcripts, your writing, and how your teachers talk about you. This policy allows applicants to decide for themselves whether or not their test results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential.”

What schools aren’t test-optional?

The Colgate University, Barnard College, and other top private schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Georgetown University, are not test-optional. Many of the top 50 schools do still require standardized tests.