They may not “require” it but they can “recommend” students submit it.
For example, most colleges “require” at least two years of a foreign language but many selective colleges “recommend” 3 or 4 years. So the prudent student would be wise to do 3 or 4 years of a foreign language even if it’s not “required”.
The reality is that the ACT/SAT was only unavailable for a few months (mid-March to mid-June) and students had plenty of time to take it before the pandemic and now can take it this summer or fall.
Colleges want the maximum number of applicants applying and likely the real reason they are TO optional this year. Kids that only took it once and didn’t get the score they wanted might not apply if the college didn’t go test optional but that doesn’t mean that colleges don’t care about test scores within their historical range. They certainly do and I can’t help thinking they will favor applicants who submit a good application with a test score within their range. Applicants who don’t submit a score will be a little bit more of an acceptance risk.
Will be interesting to hear back from adcoms in the next 6-9 months about their review process and how applicants who didn’t submit tests were treated this year.
Maybe I don’t like to leave anything to chance but if my kid was capable of a good test score, I would highly encourage him/her to prep for and take the test(s) when available.