<p>To add to what entomom said (and I hope you don’t mind, entomom), an applicant can demonstrate that he has strong reading and verbal skills without standardized testing. That’s the whole idea behind making the SAT and ACT optional. </p>
<p>Obviously, your son has high grades. If his teacher recommendations also address his ability to read, write and think very well, then Bowdoin will probably assume that he’s a smart and able student who’s just not so great at standardized testing. And that’s exactly what you want them to think.</p>