If it is listed as optional, are you having your child take it? Are you submitting it to your schools?
We did. We thought it was flawed and not a valuable tool. But the schools seem to value developing it and we didn’t want to risk appearing to not be supportive from the beginning.
My kid did it. Thought it was manipulative and they were purposefully trying to trick you into saying something deliberate. Aced it. Though I don’t think anyone really counted it. Many friends with kids applying didn’t even bother. I think it needs a lot more work. Could be an issue for someone with anxiety or mental health issues as a lot of the questions were borderline therapeutic. I guess the goal is to see if you can cooperate and work with others and essentially grow as a student/person.
I’m inclined to skip it if it doesn’t seem necessary, I have a child who isn’t great at not being too honest!
My kid’s HS had them take it this year so they could see results from current students.
That’s interesting @MA2012. I wonder if they want to compare the results of applicants to current students? No one has mentioned taking it at our interviews or campus visits, so I’m guessing it is truly optional. It sounds like it may still be in the developmental stage as an admissions tool.