Test Optional Class of 2026

Does anyone know how much applying test optional hurts an application for the class of 2026 at top schools? I am curious because based on the results I’ve seen so far, it seems like it is hurting applicants much more than it did last year (all of those among my friends who submitted got in, and those who did not submit did not get into their ED schools).

Is it possible that not submitting a test score- regardless of the score they are omitting- completely squashes the chances of admission of an otherwise qualified applicant?

1 Like

I’m thinking there will be some sold stats coming out in the next few weeks to answer this question.

3 Likes

It will be hard to fully analyze admissions just based on “submitted test scores” v. “Did not submit test scores” due to all of the variables.

I appreciate the colleges who were very clear that they were test optional only for those who really had barriers to testing. They were clear with their plans. Some are already announcing that tests are back and others are embracing test optional long term.

Some possible Variables/Scenarios that will make the data hard to really make any sense of:

  • applicants denied who submitted test scores below mid range who had not been on Cc reading these threads, were at a school with school counselors who were not aware of the colleges telling kids not to submit if they were low, or who had other factors that added to the denial
  • applicants who went test optional who had the GPA and class rank in range but also had other gaps for a holistic application review (essay just okay, letters of rec not at the same level of exuding excellence, concern ECs possibly exaggerated, etc…)
  • applicants who submitted lower test scores from just one sitting denied who normally would have taken the test 2 to three times. That will throw off data for use in coming years.
  • learning gaps created due to Covid school in various forms and Covid’s impact on some families.

Once we have a few years of data from the increased number of test optional schools it will be easier to make future predictions. The data sets from the past two years will not be as useful for HS classes of 23 and 24.

Colleges will be looking at the performance of test optional students who enrolled. There is already concern about math, but that may be across the board due to Covid learning gaps.

2 Likes

There’re rumors that MIT is debating whether to require tests for the upcoming cycle.

1 Like

MIT’s website states the following. Whether testing is required next year depends on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and availability of testing.

“While — as the pandemic has repeatedly taught us — we can’t know what the future holds, we do expect to return to requiring the SAT/ACT once it is possible for everyone to take them safely.”

2 Likes

Although present at many schools long before the Pandemic the majority or schools are now test optional and will remain so for the short term future.

With this the obvious result has been the skyrocketing number of applications and the introduction of a completely new pool of students into the application mix of many schools, especially those schools that were already very competitive. Applicants who might not have been considered for admission at certain schools with scores well below published averages are being admitted because they’ve chosen either to not take the tests (or couldn’t- though now there is no reason tests can’t be taken even in the more covid restrictive states) or not submit what they are told or feel is a “bad” score. In addition many who might not have considered even applying to certain schools because of a lower score are now applying providing colleges with a new pool of applicants they might never have seen.

The result, in addition to more applications, is that what has been perceived of in the past as a reach, target, and safety school for a particular student based upon their scores (and academics etc.) has been completely changed. Yes, reaches, particularly T20 schools will always be reaches for most, but those that one may have thought were target or even safety have been changed from traditional thinking. With many of the places that might have taken high scoring kids in the past, now taking test optional students, many of those high scoring kids are facing realities that some of their targets have become reaches, and some of their saftey have become targets.

Its simple math. With places in schools staying the same, if some of the places in more competitive places are going to TO students who might otherwise not been accepted to these places in prior years or might not have applied, those who might have been accepted there with their higher scores now need to step back behind some TO students and accept places they might have not considered they needed to accept in the pre- TO period.

The Good is that a new pool of students can apply to places they might never been able to or have considered and colleges are seeing this. The bad is many top students with top scores are not being considered or accepted (and maybe getting o dose of reality with the real world which doesn’t always follow obvious rules.

Unfortunately the landscape becomes more confused and prep industry who are believed to be experts really aren’t. Personally I feel the playing field needs to be level for all and a decision about completely using or eliminating the tests needs to be made to avoid what has gone one in the last two years (and will happen in the foreseeable future). Make a decision and move on. Tests or no tests.

1 Like

In the long run, test optional does not help students. Without the SAT and ACT, universities can, and must, look at the students transcript and compare it to the academic rigor available at the student’s high school. Given the issue with grade inflation across the United States (and it IS a real issue), universities will be requiring applicants to take the hardest classes available, be successful in them, while maintaining insane levels of participation in extracurricular activities. This is not good for student health.

I read for one of my alma mater’s most prestigious scholarships. In the past two years, I have personally read letters of recommendation from a US President and a separate Governor (and no, they were actually quite nice and personal). I get some from US Representatives all the time (and no, my alma mater is not T20). This is getting out of hand.

Students with less means will not have the ability to attend schools with curricula strong enough to admit them to the top schools. This is already happening in California, where many public schools have insufficient funds to put forth a sufficient curriculum to get their students into the UC-system. It is a real (and reported) issue.

No, testing is not fair, but the most recent admissions scandal was not because the intelligent cheated on admissions tests. It was because the rich gamed the system and found a “side door”. They will continue to do so. Anyone who wants to can log onto the internet and get FREE testing help. Anyone who wants to can go to a public library and get access to FREE testing guides. No, testing is not fair…neither is life.

I am glad my kids are almost through this. One is done. The other will take not go test optional. The stress of four years of threading the needle to get into a university is too much for a teen to bear. A test, at least, is over when its over. You can live with the consequences.

4 Likes

Problem is “test optional” which took steam recently was intended for those who couldnt test giving them a chance to apply.

But it has evolved into. Should I even take a test? Or if I take a test should I submit it. When people are advised not to submit tests that are at or above the posted average ( and there is plenty of advice out there and in CC saying to do so) it becomes ridiculous. Posted averages go up and are artificial. Test for all and live with it or just get rid of them and live with that. Enough of the guessing games.

1 Like