Test Optional

BRIEF SUMMARY

Test-optional policies give college applicants the choice of whether or not to submit their standardized test scores (ACT or SAT) with their application for admission.

KEY POINTS

• A full list of all test-optional or test-flexible schools is available at FairTest.org.
• Schools that do not require standardized tests may seem like the perfect option for anyone worried about their scores, but choosing not to submit your test scores can sometimes be detrimental to your admission chances.
• Students who struggle with standardized testing or who have low ACT or SAT scores may be the ones who benefit most from test-optional policies—provided their academic and extracurricular performance compensate for not submitting their test scores.
• For a student who also has a lower GPA and lacking extracurricular achievements, solid SAT or ACT test scores may be the redeeming quality that helps them secure admission.

RESOURCES

• Explaining the Difference Between Test Optional, Test Flexible and Test Blind

SHARED WISDOM

• (Added 8/24/23 Brittanie Davis, Kokomo High School): Brittanie reached out to hundreds of colleges about how they will handle scores on transcripts for test optional students.
  • Their responses are here & will continue to be updated as they respond:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/19Dgp3oGOR22Bkpey4wb3SVs9WoodeHj3Qhv0RmYwDFU/htmlview?pli=1
  • IL & CO have successfully fought these types of laws and IN needs to join in:
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2021/07/11/illinois-passes-law-requiring-its-public-universities-to-use-test-optional-admissions/?fbclid=IwAR1ZG4m4GqvoeJ9EhJWApjEyoNVsh8RGjPb-2SVa-Oby89Fy6Av5p_zOp2A
  • Its against CB’s recommendation, which cites a possible FERPA violation. https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/k12-educators/score-reports/scores-privacy?fbclid=IwAR2KA-nhgY83sgEgGEGxsX4zc91mdYJcXFljZq51OBVRscEw-6Pk89YmLag
• There’s been some controversy surrounding test-optional schools recently, as they may have artificially inflated academic profiles: they may attract more applicants—and be able to reject more of them—making them appear more selective, plus it will be the high-scoring students who opt to send their scores anyway, making their average admitted student profile more competitive.
• From Ball State University:
  •  In Ball State’s application process, students choose whether they want us to consider their SAT/ACT scores in our admission decision or not (test-optional). We will review their application based on their selection. Students who want their test scores to be considered can send them to us for their admission file, or we can take their scores from their official transcripts.
    • If students select test-optional on their application, we will not review any test scores in their file or on their transcripts but please note that it is okay if they have been submitted to us. This will not penalize the student as they selected test-optional on their application and scores will not be reviewed.
    • If students indicate they want us to consider their test scores, we will review their scores on file. Please note that we super-score both the SAT and ACT, so it’s beneficial to send us all scores available.

Because we evaluate each application holistically and individually, there is no formula we can provide to help students decide whether to choose test-optional or not. However, an academic profile of current Ball State students might give some guidance to applicants.

Test-optional is for students who have performed well academically in the classroom but don’t perform well on standardized tests. Test-optional was established to best serve students and their academic potential. Choosing to submit or not submit test scores to us does not affect a student’s ability to be considered for scholarships. We encourage students to check out our Scholarship Calculator to learn more.  Check out the test-optional webpage for more information about our test-optional policy. All of this information is also available at bsu.edu/apply and conveyed to students when speaking with them through the recruitment process.

CONTENT FEEDBACK

If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.