After test-optional policies became the new norm in 2020, ACT® and SAT® requirements for college admissions have been a huge focus for high school students. Fast-forward five years, and the testing policies are once again changing. Some schools are choosing to reinstate testing requirements, while others are changing their test-optional policies to a test-flexible approach. Colleges are continuing to re-evaluate their policies in the hopes of striking the perfect balance between fairness, accessibility, and relevance to the current times.
Changes in Testing Policies
In 2024, many colleges across the country reviewed and updated their standardized testing policies for applicants, but the University of California (UC) system has chosen to remain test blind for the foreseeable future.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the California Institute of Technology has changed from a test blind policy to a test required policy. The STEM-focused institution found that SAT and ACT scores provide key information about the academic preparedness of their applicants.
Some schools have taken a middle-of-the-road approach. For example, Yale University modified its test-optional policy to be test flexible instead. Under this new policy, applicants are required to submit a standardized test score, but they can choose to submit scores from either the ACT, SAT, Advanced Placement (AP®), or International Baccalaureate (IB®). By expanding the kinds of standardized tests that can be included in place of the ACT and SAT, Yale gives applicants more ways to showcase their strengths. This allows them to choose the exams that best represent their academic achievements.
Other top schools, like Harvard and Dartmouth, allow AP or IB scores to be submitted as alternatives to ACT and SAT scores, but only if applicants don’t have access to those exams where they live. While these shifts provide more options for your child, they also underscore the importance of thoroughly researching the specific requirements of your preferred colleges.
How Do Standardized Tests Impact College Admissions Plans?
Standardized tests will mostly impact when your child plans to finalize their college application. They should factor retakes into their timeline, and consider how well they can balance ACT and SAT prep alongside coursework and extracurricular activities. While we generally recommend finalizing test scores no later than the spring of your child’s junior year, it is possible to finalize them in the summer between junior and senior year or in the fall of their senior year.
Despite recent testing policy changes, standardized tests are still a big part of the college admissions process for many colleges. These tests provide a common metric to evaluate academic ability across a wide range of applicants. If your child is applying to competitive programs or universities, submitting strong test scores can help make their application even more memorable.
The main goal of the ACT and SAT is to gauge your child’s potential for success in higher education. These tests measure core skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical reasoning to see how well your child can adapt to familiar and unfamiliar topics. While grades can offer some insight into a student’s academic abilities, standardized tests – in theory – offer a uniform benchmark colleges can use to more accurately compare applicants from different educational backgrounds.
These scores give admissions teams one more piece of data to reference when reviewing your child’s application package. So, even when applying to test-optional universities, we strongly recommend submitting ACT or SAT scores as they can help strengthen the overall application and showcase your child’s college-readiness. While test scores are just one part of the application, they often provide valuable context about an applicant’s academic potential.
How your child performs on standardized tests can also be important if your child is applying for merit-based scholarships as many awards still require strong ACT or SAT scores to be eligible. Knowing how these tests fit into your child’s overall college admissions plan is key to making informed decisions.
How College Admissions Counseling Can Help You Prepare for These Changes
Navigating the changes in standardized testing policies can be overwhelming but you don’t have to do it alone. College admissions counseling offers personalized guidance to help you adapt to the changing requirements and build a strong application.
Working with an experienced counselor means your child stays up-to-date on the latest admissions policies at their target colleges. They can help your child create a customized testing plan, decide if submitting standardized test scores is right for them, and provide strategies to improve their scores. If your child is applying to highly competitive programs, college admissions counselors can also give them valuable insights on how to strengthen other parts of their application like essays and extracurriculars.
Recommending tutors for test prep is another area where counselors can make a big difference. From identifying your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses to providing resources that can help, they help ensure your child is on the right path to creating a strong application package. This can include offering guidance on the differences between the ACT and SAT and helping your child choose the test best aligned with their skills and college goals. With the right support, your child can get the support they need to make informed decisions throughout the college admissions process.
Prepare for College Admissions Success with C2 Education
At C2 Education we know the challenges your child faces in today’s competitive admissions world. That’s why we offer resources to help your child succeed no matter what the admissions landscape looks like. Our customized test prep programs for the ACT and digital SAT ensure your child is ready to do their best on test day. We focus on personalized strategies to help your child build the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.
No matter how admissions policies evolve, C2 Education’s resources are designed to help your child adapt. Our counselors and instructors work closely with families to develop strategies that address each student’s unique goals and challenges.
In addition to test prep, we offer college admissions counseling to help your child and families through every step of the process. From choosing the right schools to help writing an amazing personal statement, our counselors are here to support your child in their college application process. We stay ahead of the changes so we can ensure your child is prepared for success.
Standardized testing policies may continue to evolve, but with the right preparation and support, your child can adapt to these changes and create a strong college application. Don’t let uncertainty hold your child back — partner with C2 Education to help your child make their mark in the competitive college admissions process.
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