How long will test optional last?

According to FairTest, that number represents 83% of four-year U.S. schools. In addition to the fall 2023 tally, FairTest also reported that 1,783 institutions- equal to about 78% of four-year colleges and universities - have already extended their test-optional/test-blind policies at least through fall 2024.

Will test optional go away?

Now, more than 1,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. are extending their test-optional policies through the 2023-24 application cycle, with some making the move to test-optional even longer or permanent.

Will colleges remain test optional 2024?

More than 1,900 U.S. colleges and universities are not requiring SAT or ACT scores for admissions for fall 2024, continuing the proliferation of test-optional and test-free practices.

Is there a disadvantage to applying test optional?

If your high school GPA is on the lower side and you elect not to submit test scores, you may lower your chances of an acceptance letter from the admissions office. Con: By not submitting test scores, your GPA is the primary academic indicator.

Is SAT still required for 2025?

The last few years have seen some major shifts in SAT/ACT testing and college admissions. Before the pandemic, over half of colleges required SAT or ACT scores. However, during the 2022-23 admission cycle, only 4% of colleges required SAT or ACT scores to apply.

Test Optional: Who Does it Hurt?

Will SAT be discontinued?

SAT Discontinues Subject Tests And Optional Essay

And in early 2021, the organization announced it would discontinue the optional essay component of the SAT, as well as the subject tests in U.S. history, languages and math, among other topics.

Why are colleges getting rid of SAT?

California State University, the largest-four year university system in the country, is poised to eliminate SAT and ACT standardized tests from its undergraduate admissions process, following a trend in higher education over concerns that the exams are unfair to minority and low-income students.

Why are colleges really going test-optional?

One of the reasons we made the decision to go test-optional is that it provides students the ability to decide if they feel the test is an accurate reflection of their academic ability. About 60 percent of our students choose not to submit a test score.

Why are more colleges becoming test-optional?

For many colleges that have gone test-optional over the years, not requiring SAT or ACT scores aims to fulfill the goal of greater access. Well-qualified students who may have been discouraged from applying previously because of their poor test scores might now consider a wider range of schools.

What percentage of students go test-optional?

More than 80 percent of U.S. colleges and universities do not require applicants to take standardized tests like the SAT or the ACT.

Will class of 2024 need SAT?

Test Optional is here to stay and we couldn't be more thrilled! At The College Curators, we recommend that high school students in the class of 2024 still consider taking the ACT or SAT, but whether or not they submit their scores should depend on test availability and personal performance.

Will colleges be test optional for 2026?

Amherst College will remain test-optional through the Class of 2027, Barnard College through the Class of 2027, Boston College through the Class of 2026, Brown University through the Class of 2027, California Institute of Technology (test-blind, not test-optional) through the Class of 2027, Carnegie Mellon University ...

Is Elon test optional for 2024?

Admission to Elon is competitive. Approximately 18,000 applications are received for 1,700 seats in the first-year class. For students enrolling in fall 2024, Elon offers a test-optional admissions program.

Does test-optional hurt your chances?

Does applying test-optional hurt your chances? Test-optional colleges do not penalize applicants who choose not to submit test scores. If you forgo standardized tests, we recommend enhancing your application with other information that showcases your strengths and achievements.

Is test-optional worth it?

There are pros and cons to this. A pro is that colleges will now take a more comprehensive and in-depth look at a student's application beyond their test scores. A con is that colleges may not consider or acknowledge a student's test scores, which could be a major strength of their application.

How many colleges are permanently test-optional?

According to FairTest's website, there are 1,843 colleges in the US that offer test-optional or test-free policies.

Should I submit test scores if optional?

Even though test-optional colleges maintain that they do not view applications without standardized test scores in a negative light, many admissions experts suggest that submitting SAT/ACT scores can ultimately add value to a student's application.

Is Notre Dame truly test optional?

Notre Dame is test-optional for the 2024 and 2025 application cycles, meaning students may choose whether or not to submit their test scores with their applications. See test-optional questions below for further details.

Why is Harvard removing SAT?

Harvard first lifted its testing requirement in June 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the Class of 2025 to apply without submitting scores. Harvard then removed the requirement for the Class of 2026 in January, citing continued difficulties presented by the pandemic.

Is Harvard getting rid of SAT?

Harvard says it won't require SAT or ACT scores through 2026.

Is the SAT declining?

The average total SAT score was 1050 in 2022 for US high school students, the lowest since the test changed formats in 2016, Best Colleges has reported.

Is the SAT really that important anymore?

Now you better understand the question: “is the SAT still relevant?” And the answer is, once again, a firm and confident yes. Even though more and more schools are making the SAT optional, the importance of SAT remains high. The only change is that schools allow you to decide“to SAT or not to SAT.”

What will replace SAT scores?

Beginning in fall 2020 after the onset of COVID-19, the CSU moved to test-free admissions for the incoming class of fall 2021, with eligibility being based on GPA alone (minimum 2.5 for California high school graduates, 3.0 for non-California residents).

Why was SAT 2 removed?

The College Board felt that dropping the SAT essay would help reduce the demands for students for now and in the future. Many experts feel that this decision is also a timely and practical one because most universities don't require SAT Essay scores as part of the admissions process.