Test Optional Defined:
Test Optional means a student can choose to submit ACT or SAT scores for that specific institution based on whether the scores will or will not help the student’s application.
This means you should strategize:
- Include when the scores help make your application more competitive
- Do not include when the scores don’t help make your application competitive
Should I Test and Submit My Scores?
*DISCLAIMER: We highly recommend working with an Independent Educational Consultant or your school’s College Counselor. They can analyze your application holistically in the context of each individual college. The following are generalized suggestions.
Consider the following logic to decide whether you should potentially include test scores on an application:
- Are your practice test scores at or above the published average for that institution? See how to look this up below.
- Yes
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- You should take the test and submit your scores; they will help your application!
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- No, but close (less than 200 points/4 points away)
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- Consider test prep to get scores above the 50th percentile so they can help your application.
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- No, not close (greater than 250+ points SAT/ 6+ points ACT away)
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- Is your GPA above the average for the given institution?
- Yes
- Consider going test optional, as the effort it may take to complete test prep may not be worth your time.
- No
- Consider test prep to improve chances of getting into this institution.
- Yes
- Is your GPA above the average for the given institution?
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Each school determines its own individual testing policy. You will need to review this data for every school and make a decision on a school-by-school basis.
Example Decision 1: Take the ACT/SAT and Submit Scores*
Our first student has a 4.2 GPA (weighted) and scored a 1450 on the SAT practice test and 33 on the ACT practice test. They are applying to the following schools in Fall 2025 (data taken from 2024):
1. University of Michigan
Average GPA: 3.9 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1440 (710 Reading/Writing + 730 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 33
2. Tulane
Average GPA: 3.7 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1450 (720 Reading/Writing + 730 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 32
3. Boston University
Average GPA: 3.89 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1455 (710 Reading/Writing + 745 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 33
Conclusion: This student will test and submit scores because they’re applying to selective colleges (less than 20% admission rates, higher than 90th percentile test scores, and 3.7+ unweighted GPAs). We would suggest that the student prepare thoroughly and take the test to maximize their score. A competitive GPA does not ensure admission to selective colleges, so you want to have as much data as possible to show institutions you are a competitive applicant.
Example Decision 2: Don’t take the ACT/SAT and Don’t Submit Scores*
Our second student has a 3.85 GPA (unweighted) and scored a 900 on the SAT practice test and 18 on the ACT practice test. They are applying to the following schools in Fall 2025 (data taken from 2024):
1. Colorado State University
Average GPA: 3.7 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1160 (590 Reading/Writing + 570 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 26
2. University of Arizona
Average GPA: 3.5 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1255 (625 Reading/Writing + 630 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 25
3. Montana State University
Average GPA: 3.52 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1165 (585 Reading/Writing + 580 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 24
Conclusion: This student will not test or submit scores because the impact of improving their test score on their overall application will likely not be worth the time or effort of test prep. Given that the student’s GPA exceeds the average for these schools, and their standardized test scores fall below the 25th percentile, test scores at the 50th percentile are unlikely to significantly enhance their application’s competitiveness. Test prep requires a commitment of 3-5 hours per week, including tutoring, homework, and practice tests. Sometimes the investment of time, energy, and focus is far greater than the expected return.
Example Decision 3 – Take the ACT/SAT and Submit Scores*
Our second student has a 3.7 GPA (weighted) and scored a 1250 on the SAT practice test and 26 on the ACT practice test. These schools have average test scores around the 90th percentile (29-93 ACT/1350 SAT). They are applying to the following schools in Fall 2025 (data taken from 2024):
1. University of Colorado Boulder
Average GPA: 3.76 (unweighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1270(575 Reading/Writing, 695 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 29.5
2. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Average GPA: 4.07 (weighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1410 (685 Reading/Writing and 725 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 31
3. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Average GPA: 4.47 (weighted)
50th Percentile SAT: 1435 (710 Reading/Writing and 725 Math)
50th Percentile ACT: 31
Conclusion: This student will test and submit scores because they need their test scores to be at or above the institutional average to offset a lower than 50th percentile GPA on their application. Therefore, we recommend test preparation to achieve a test score above the 50th percentile for the institutions they are interested in.
Finding the data for your colleges:
There are a variety of resources you can use to find this information. One resource is College Board’s Big Future. Search for your college and click on the admissions tab. Calculate the 50th percentile as the middle of the ACT and SAT range. For this example, 30 is the middle for the ACT, and 1285 is the middle for the SAT. They also often include information about the GPA of admitted students.
Interested in learning more about Test Prep at Mindfish?
Contact us today to find out what our dedicated tutors can help you achieve.
