The importance of SAT and College Board issues

Taking the standardize test (SAT) has been a challenge, especially trying to reschedule a missed/cancelled test dates.

Some schools are waiving sending SAT scores (some are optional). What are some of your experiences during the last round of application (for Fall 2021). Did you find colleges/university still valued SAT (or ACT)? If you did not submit, did you feel it played a role in your DD chance of getting in (or getting an academic scholarship…etc.).

What is the difference between “waived” and “optional?”

Thanks

I don’t think there’s a difference between “waived” and “optional”.

The two common terms are “test optional” and “test blind”. At a test optional school, you can send your score and it will be reviewed, but a score is not required and you will be considered based on the rest of your application. If a schools says it has “waived” standardized testing requirements. I suspect this is what it means.

Test blind schools mean they don’t and won’t consider standardized testing scores.If you send them, they will be ignored.

The general advice is to send your scores to a test optional school if it exceeds the midpoint of accepted students to the school, which can be found on their CDS (or through IPEDS).

My take from general discussions here, and some published data, is that students who provided scores had a higher acceptance rate, though not greatly so. I suspect this is because there is a correlation between SAT scores and the remainder of the application.

Many scholarship programs still require test scores, even if the admissions office of the school does not (for merit awards).

My daughter did not submit SAT scores last year because she was unable to sit the test (five sittings canceled at short notice). She was targeting colleges in major metro areas that offered merit aid scholarships. My unscientific opinion is that not having scores did hurt her.