As students prepare to submit their first applications this season, there is ongoing confusion about how to navigate test optional policies. If you are wondering when to send scores, when to opt out, and how to make it all happen, read on for everything you need to know about testing and the admissions process.
Know when to submit your scores
When colleges have a test optional policy, it can be difficult to know what to do. In general, there are a few key things to know:
○ The best way to determine if you should send your scores is to examine how your scores compare to the typical admitted applicant profile. Most colleges make recent data available via the Common Data Set. If your scores fall within or above the middle 50% of admitted student scores, then it’s to your benefit to submit your scores as part of your application.
○ If your scores are below this middle 50% range, it is likely to your benefit to submit your application under the test optional policy.
Not all majors are created equal
The major interest you indicate on your application has a bearing on how important test scores will be to your admissions review.
○ Students applying in Business and STEM may find that test scores are particularly important to admissions readers looking for quantitative evidence of a student’s readiness to succeed in these programs. This includes computer science, engineering, and any of the majors commonly considered as pathways to medical school such as chemistry and biology.
○ Students should be prepared that the SAT and ACT score expectations for students admitted into these programs may be substantially higher than the published middle 50% for all applicants to the university. If you are worried that scores may be a weak link in your application, your best course of action is to adjust or broaden your college list to include colleges that better match your profile.
Research how colleges want to receive scores
Visit a college’s website to learn how they will accept your scores for review with your application. Make a list for yourself of the requirements and process for each school and take action early; don’t wait until the last minute to get organized about this part of your process. While some colleges will allow you to simply add those scores to the Common App, others want them sent directly from the testing agency.
○ Self-Reported Scores: Colleges that accept self-reported scores will allow you to enter your scores into the testing section of the Common App or the college specific application. This is an ‘honor system’ and colleges are trusting students to honestly and accurately report testing information. All colleges that accept self-reported scores will ask students to submit official score reports along with their final transcripts in the enrollment process.
○ Official Score Reports: Colleges that require official score reports want students to visit their account on the testing agency’s website, College Board or ACT, and officially request and send scores to the college from the testing agency. Know that these can take several weeks to arrive to colleges, and can have fees associated with them.
Pay attention to what you share & how you respond to testing questions on the application
If you are opting to apply to a college test optional, be sure that you’ve carefully read the questions about this in the college’s application or member section of the Common App to indicate that you do not wish to have your scores considered with your application. When you take this route, be sure to remove testing information from the testing section of your Common Application prior to submission to this college. If you have other schools where you do intend to share your scores, carefully review your Common App prior to submission to be sure you have added the correct information back into your testing section.
○ The Common App is submitted as a PDF to each college individually, so the information the college will receive is static at the time of submission. If you have additional scores to report after submission, you will need to contact that college directly to share your update.
TBU Advisors are experienced in supporting students to navigate their college choices and personal best fit, and TBU Essay & Application specialists are experts at supporting students to craft their most compelling, authentic work. If you’d like to explore working with a TBU Advisor, now is the time. Get in touch here and we will look forward to connecting with you.
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