To Submit or Not to Submit: Making the Right Call on Standardized Tests
As if the college admissions process were not confusing enough, the continually shifting policy environment for standardized tests has raised further questions about requirements and expectations for score submission. Years after the COVID-19 pandemic prompting most institutions to waive testing requirements, some universities have made that change permanent, while others have reverted to their pre-pandemic policies. We’ve also seen the emergence of other policy variants, like "test-blind" and “test-flexible,” which make things even more nuanced.
Let’s clear the fog.
What “Test-Optional” Actually Means
First, let’s define and distinguish among the different terminologies.
Test-optional means you may choose whether or not to submit scores. If you don't submit, your application will be evaluated without them. If you do submit, they'll be considered as part of your overall profile.
Test-blind (or test-free) goes a step further — the school will not consider test scores even if you submit them. A handful of schools, including the UC system, fall into this category. There's no strategic benefit in submitting scores to a test-blind institution.
Test-flexible requires some form of a standardized test, but it allows for alternatives to the SAT/ACT, such as AP or IB scores. Several of the Ivy League schools are in this category.
Test-required means exactly what it sounds like: submitting scores is required for admission consideration. Flagship public universities in many states, along with MIT and a growing number of highly selective schools, have returned to requiring standardized tests for most or all applicants.
Understanding these differences and which policy type applies to each school on your list is an essential step in developing your testing plan and strategy for the college admission process.
The Return of Testing Requirements
It's worth noting that test-optional is not the new permanent reality everywhere. Several high-profile schools have reversed course in recent years:
MIT was among the first schools to reinstate its testing requirement in the post-pandemic period, citing research showing that scores remain predictive of academic performance.
Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard, and Caltech all announced returns to test-required policies starting with the 2025–2026 cycle or sooner.
Some public flagship universities, such as Florida and Georgia, maintained their test-requirement policies during and after the pandemic.
Given the dynamic landscape, it's important to verify each school's current policy and not simply rely on what may have been the case even a year ago.
So, When Should You Submit Your Scores?
At truly test-optional schools, this is where strategy comes in. Here's the framework I use with students.
Submit if your scores are competitive
The clearest case for submitting is when your scores are at or above the middle 50% range of enrolled students at a particular school. Most colleges publish this data in their Common Data Set or on their admissions website. If your score falls within or above that range, submitting gives the admissions committee another data point that supports your application.
Put another way: test scores, when strong, confirm what the rest of your application already suggests. They enhance the picture rather than complicating it.
Think carefully if your scores are below the middle 50% range among admitted students
If your scores are below the published 50% range for students who are admitted by a test-optional school, withholding them is generally the right move. In the absence of scores, all other facets of your application (grades, essays, activities, recommendations, etc.) can be leveraged to craft a coherent and compelling story for admission committees.
Don't assume "optional" means "scores don't matter"
This is one of the most persistent myths in test-optional admissions. Especially at highly selective test-optional schools, 50-70% of admitted students do submit scores. When the majority of your competition is submitting, choosing not to can put you at a subtle disadvantage — particularly if your academic record alone leaves questions unanswered.
Opting out doesn't hurt you; opting out when your scores would have helped you is a missed opportunity.
What About Superscoring?
Many schools will take the highest section scores across multiple test dates and combine them into a single composite — also known as “superscoring.” If you've taken the SAT or ACT more than once and achieved your highest individual section scores across different attempts, you will benefit from superscoring. I walk students through this calculation as part of the testing strategy in junior year.
A Few Practical Takeaways
Check each school's policy individually. As we’ve seen in recent years, testing policies change over time, and even similar schools may have different policies.
Look at the most recent admitted class data. Middle 50% score ranges shift year to year. Always use the most current Common Data Set available.
Consider your full application in its entirety. Test scores are one piece of a larger picture. Strong essays, meaningful activities, demonstrated intellectual curiosity, and genuine fit with a school's values matter to admission committees , particularly at test-optional institutions where qualitative factors carry added weight.
Plan your testing timeline early. For most high school juniors, this is the year to build a testing calendar, register for your preferred dates, and devote time to intentionally prepare. Having strong scores in hand by the fall of senior year gives you the most flexibility — both for test-required schools and for making an informed choice at test-optional ones.
The Bottom Line
Navigating decisions about taking and submitting test scores requires an understanding of each school’s policy, knowing where your scores stand relative to the applicant pool, and thinking about how (or whether) those scores add value to your overall applicant profile.
There's no universal right answer, but based on your college list, your profile, and your goals, you can determine what would be most advantageous for you.
If you're unsure how to approach testing strategy — or where it fits within your broader college preparation — I’d love to help you think it through.