Decide on test submission

Overview

Many colleges are now test-optional. You must decide: Submit your test scores or apply without them? This strategic decision depends on your scores, school policies, and profile strength. October is decision time.

Understanding Test-Optional

Test-optional means:

• You CAN submit test scores if you want
• You DON'T have to submit them
• Colleges will NOT hold it against you if you don't submit
• BUT submitting strong scores DOES help your application

This is NOT the same as:

• Test-blind (college ignores tests even if submitted—rare)
• Test-free (no testing required—different policy)
• Test-recommended (should submit if have good scores)

Which Schools Are Test-Optional?

Most test-optional schools:

• ~80% of American colleges are now test-optional
• Includes many top schools: Yale, Harvard, Princeton, MIT (for 2024-2027), Stanford, etc.
• Check Common App: each school lists their policy

Schools still requiring tests (rare):

• Some engineering schools: require SAT/ACT
• Some public universities: require tests for scholarship consideration
• Always verify on EACH school's admissions website

Decide: Submit or Don't Submit?

Submit Your Score IF:

✓ Score is ABOVE 50th percentile for the school ✓ Score is competitive (within range of admitted students) ✓ Score is at or above school's average ✓ You're confident in your score relative to your profile

Example: If school's middle 50% SAT is 1450-1550 and you scored 1480, submit (in range).

Don't Submit Your Score IF:

✗ Score is BELOW 50th percentile for the school ✗ Your profile is strong (great GPA, essays, activities) but score is weak ✗ Score significantly misrepresents your abilities ✗ You're applying test-optional and score doesn't help ✗ Score is low and essays/extracurriculars are exceptional

Example: If school's middle 50% is 1450-1550 and you scored 1200, DON'T submit (well below range).

The Numbers: School's Middle 50%

Find each school's middle 50% on Common App or school website:

"Middle 50% of admitted students scored: SAT 1480-1550"

This means:

• 25% of admitted students scored ABOVE 1550
• 25% of admitted students scored BELOW 1480
• 50% scored between 1480-1550

Your decision:

• If YOUR score is 1480+: SUBMIT (you're in or above the middle)
• If YOUR score is 1200-1400: DON'T SUBMIT (below middle range)
• If YOUR score is 1450: It's borderline; consider your overall profile

GPA vs. Test Score Weight

If choosing between strong GPA and mediocre test score:

Colleges typically weight:

1. Rigor of courses (most important)
2. GPA (very important, 3.8 > 3.5)
3. Test scores (important, but increasingly less so)
4. Essays and extracurriculars (important, especially for test-optional schools)

Strategy:

• Strong GPA (3.7+) + weak test score = DON'T SUBMIT score
• Weak GPA (3.2) + strong test score = SUBMIT score (shows capability)
• Strong GPA (3.7+) + strong test score (1480+) = SUBMIT score (reinforces strength)

School-Specific Policies

Some test-optional schools still recommend submitting IF you have scores:

• Check school's admissions page
• Example: "Test-optional; if you have scores, you may submit"
• Means: Your choice, but scores help if strong

Some schools care less about tests now:

• UC system: Test-optional; test scores weighted much less than GPA
• Community colleges: Test-optional; rely more on GPA
• Private colleges: Test-optional but still use scores (weighted somewhat)

Strategic Considerations

Consider Your Entire Profile

If applying to REACH schools:

• Strong test score (+): Helps competitive profile
• Weak test score: DON'T submit (will look worse than other candidates)
• Profile strength: If essay/GPA exceptional, test-optional is safer

If applying to TARGET schools:

• Test score in range: SUBMIT
• Test score below range: DON'T SUBMIT (application strong on other fronts)

If applying to SAFETY schools:

• Test score doesn't matter as much; you're likely admitted anyway
• SUBMIT if at/above average (small boost)
• DON'T SUBMIT if below average (won't hurt since you're admitted anyway)

Superscoring Impact

If applying to school that accepts superscoring:

• You can combine best SAT sections across test dates
• Example: Oct Math 750 + Sept Reading 750 = Combined 1500
• This "superscore" may be more impressive than any single sitting
• If superscoring available AND your super score is competitive: SUBMIT

Decision Matrix

Create this in Solyo Dashboard for each school:

| School | Middle 50% | Your Score | Below/In/Above Range | Submit? | Reasoning | |--------|---|---|---|---|---| | [ED School] | 1450-1550 | 1480 | In range | YES | Reinforces strength | | [Target 1] | 1350-1450 | 1320 | Below | NO | Weak GPA; score would hurt | | [Safety 1] | 1200-1300 | 1380 | Above | YES | Safe choice, helps |

Important: Test-Optional ≠ Weak Application

Myth: "If you don't submit scores, college thinks you're hiding something" Reality: Colleges expect 30-40% of applicants won't submit; it's normal

Myth: "Colleges hold it against you if you don't submit" Reality: Test-optional means no penalty; colleges have policies specifically prohibiting bias

Fact: Many admitted students to top schools don't submit scores

Decision Timeline

• October 1-15: Check each school's middle 50% test scores
• October 15-20: Decide for each school: submit or not
• October 20-31: If submitting, send scores to colleges
• November 1: ED/EA deadline (if submitting, likely already sent)

Pro Tips

1. Consult with school counselor: They can give perspective on how your score stacks up against your school's typical admitted students
2. Don't overthink it: If score is below 50th percentile, don't submit (simple decision)
3. Strong profile overrides weak score: Exceptional essays/activities can overcome test-optional choice