Colleges around the country have recently made the change from test-optional applications that were adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic back to requiring standardized test scores.
For example, the Ohio State University has reverted back to requiring ACT/SAT scores for 2026 and future applicants.
“The [test optional] pilot showed that high school students who submitted test scores maintained a higher GPA and made better academic progress than students who did not submit scores,” said assistant vice president of media and public relations of the Ohio State University Benjamin Johnson, via email.
Colleges that have reinstated test-required applications want to ensure that the students they accept will be ready for the best possible academic performance and thrive in their undergraduate studies.
“Both of these trends [of submitting test scores relating to students maintaining a higher GPA and academic progress] are indicative of a student’s overall success and likelihood to graduate,” said Johnson.
However, some colleges have been test-optional years before the pandemic and will continue to be.
“At Hofstra, we are firm believers that your potential for success cannot be determined solely by standardized test scores…” said senior associate director Sarah Turon, via email.
However, this does not mean that students should be discouraged from submitting their test scores to test-optional colleges if they believe it will enhance their application.
“This test-optional policy is meant as an alternative; for nearly 75% of our applicants, submitting test scores is the right choice,” said Turon.
The future of test-optional colleges remains ambiguous as some colleges are not completely certain if they will remain test-optional or not.
“I think for now, at least the landscape for the next five years or so, we’re probably going to continue test-optional,” said admissions counselor at the University of Albany Danielle Webb.
This will be an evolving topic, with colleges continuing to modify their test-optional and test-required policies, in future admission cycles.◼️
