Test-Optional FAQs: Is it worth taking the SAT or ACT?

As a majority of universities implement test-optional policies for this year’s admissions cycle, students have been asking us whether it’s worth it to take the SAT or ACT. Our expert tutors weighed in on the most common questions we’ve received from parents and students this fall.

Is there a difference between "test optional" and "test blind"?

“Test optional” means that tests are not required, but your scores will be considered in your application if you choose to submit them. If you can earn a competitive score, this can help you stand out and potentially balance other components of your application. 

However, “test blind” means that tests are not considered at all in your application. Even if you send your test scores to test-blind schools, they will neither view them nor take them into consideration when reviewing your application. 

Will applying test-optional harm or penalize my application in any way?

When colleges say that submitting test scores is “optional,” they usually mean it: you won’t be actively penalized if you choose not to. You are free to decide whether or not your test scores are a good indicator of your college preparedness. That said, this year some schools will ask students to submit an explanation for why they are not submitting scores (e.g., limited access due to Covid-19) – it’s safe to say these institutions value the data that scores provide and will likely return to requiring them in future years. 

Are there any test-optional schools that still award merit aid with test scores?

Schools that have instituted a test-optional policy for students entering in 2021 only will likely still require scores to access merit-based financial assistance (or “merit aid”); these tend to be regional liberal arts colleges, as well as some state universities. On the other hand, schools that are planning to adopt a test-optional policy for a longer period are more likely to align their scholarship policies with this admissions policy, and therefore won’t require scores for merit aid. (This includes OSU and U of O.) 

Keep in mind that if you are planning to apply to any special programs, such as honors colleges, engineering majors, or WUE, submission of test scores may still be required even if the university at large is test-optional.

Could one take both the SAT and ACT to boost and make their student resume stand out when being evaluated by their respective colleges?

In general, admissions officers will compare SAT and ACT results directly to each other via the official concordance table – so there is no benefit in submitting scores from each test. (One exception might be if you took both SAT and ACT and achieved a top score on each.) 

I am currently a junior. Should I take the SAT or ACT this year, or wait until my senior year?

Your best bet is to test at least once this academic year. We do not know what will happen with college admission requirements for your class, and so it’s wise to meet any possible testing requirements sooner rather than later. Under normal conditions, postponing any initial testing until the fall of senior year often increases stress for the student; with Covid-19, we also have to consider the possibility of tests yet again being canceled or rescheduled. 

Will my high school provide an SAT or ACT test date, or do I need to register on my own?

Usually, you will need to register for the SAT and ACT on your own. All the information you will need to register is online (here for the SAT and here for the ACT). You also may apply for fee waivers when you register for a test. In some school districts, the school district will offer an in-school SAT or ACT for free to its students—PPS offered the SAT to juniors this past March, for example. 

When are the ACT/SAT tests normally held?

The SAT and ACT normally are administered throughout the academic year and once each during the summer. In general, the tests are offered at several schools in a given region and students sign up individually for each test. Many school districts around the United States have also offered official tests to their students—PPS did so this past March, right before Covid-19 hit. (If you took that SAT through PPS, you may use that test score for applications and admissions, if you wish.) To plan ahead, you can check out upcoming test dates online for the SAT and ACT.

What are some ways to practice?

Approach your test preparation similarly to the way you train for a spot. Practice every day, with clear goals and a commitment to improving. Track your work and your progress carefully. Dedicate time each day, even if it is only 10 or 15 minutes, to work on some test material. 

What are good resources for studying for the SAT?

In general, use official testing materials from SAT and ACT. Both companies have books of their tests, and many of those tests and others are available online as PDFs. You can also find many official and non-official prep materials through online resources like Khan Academy. It’s also helpful to hold yourself accountable by studying in a group or working with an expert tutor. 

Reach out to our team to learn more about whether the SAT or ACT is right for you, and to make a study plan for the spring.