Should I Submit My SAT Score?

Today, over 1,900 colleges and universities are test-optional and another 80+ colleges and universities are test-blind. As high school students approach the college application process – especially those students aiming for a seat at one of the nation’s most selective universities – the decision about whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications is an important one.

SAT SCORE (& ACT) SUBMISSION RATES

We took a look at recent SAT/ACT score submission rates for enrolling students at top universities to gauge just how “optional” their test-optional admissions practices truly are. Using data from the Common Data Set for students enrolling in the fall of 2022 (the most recent CDS available), we looked at the percentages of enrolling students who submitted test scores to understand the role that testing might play in the admissions process. One key caveat – colleges report the numbers of SAT and ACT submitters separately, but we chose to combine those numbers for this analysis, with the understanding that the majority of students only submit scores from their best exam.

WHAT WE LEARNED

What did we learn from this analysis? First, the overall reliance of standardized test scores has gone down as most colleges and universities chose to extend their pandemic-era testing policies. Second, the rate of score submission among enrolling students is still quite robust at many top schools. A trio of top schools – Georgetown, MIT, and the University of Florida – require testing. A significant number of top schools are “test-preferred” with at least 70 percent of enrolling students (and, by extension, the most competitive applicants) submitting test scores. These schools have historically attracted and admitted among the most academically accomplished students from around the country and around the world and so their applicant pools continue to be filled with high-scoring students.

The push towards test-optional admissions policies also provided colleges and universities with a new tool to grow and, importantly, diversify their applicant pools. From data provided by the Common App, we know that only 35 percent of students from the lowest income bracket sent in scores in 2022-23, roughly the same share as in the prior two years. In 2019-20, about 67 percent of lowest-income applicants provided scores. Nearly half of applicants in the highest income bracket submitted scores to colleges in 2022-23, according to the Common App, down from over 75 percent in 2019-20.

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Both “test-aware” schools (those where 50-69 percent of enrolling students submitted a test score) and “test-preferred” schools use holistic admissions review and note that testing is just one of many factors considered in selecting a class. While that is true, it’s also the case that the relative importance of test scores in the review process is not applied evenly across all sectors of an applicant pool. Students from underrepresented demographic groups – African American, Latino, low-income, first generation – are most likely to benefit from test-optional admissions practices. International applicants from certain countries and blue-chip athletic recruits are also more likely to benefit from test-optional admissions processes. White and Asian students, especially those from more advantaged backgrounds, who choose not to submit scores will face much tougher admissions odds. This will be especially true for students at strong public and private schools that regularly send students to top colleges. If you choose not to send scores to a top college but most of your classmates applying to that same college do send scores, you won’t benefit from the test-optional process.

Whether you’re a senior in the midst of finalizing their early applications or a junior trying to figure out if you should take the SAT or ACT, strong test scores still give your candidacy a boost. But remember that test scores by themselves are never determinative. If you choose not to include scores with your application, keep in mind that your odds will be better at schools where the majority of enrolling students did not submit scores.

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BOTTOM LINE

Top-notch academic credentials, a clear love of learning, and meaningful impact and contribution through your activities will make your application memorable, with or without scores. We can help!

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Maria Laskaris

Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions

Maria Laskaris joins Top Tier Admissions as one of the most experienced admissions deans in the country. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 1984, and served as Director of Admissions at Dartmouth for over a decade where she evaluated tens of thousands of applicants. From 2007-2015 she served as the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Dartmouth, overseeing all facets of the admissions and financial aid processes. She played an integral role in developing key enhancements to the Common Application, serving on the 14-member Board of Directors. With over 25 years of admissions experience at one of the most selective colleges in the country, she provides an insider’s perspective like no other, with deep knowledge of selective college admissions.

In addition, Maria is proud of her long-term volunteer work with Opera North (Lebanon, NH) in fundraising, marketing and audience engagement. She is an avid masters rower with the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation (Hanover, NH) and also serves as a member of its board of directors.

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