TEST OPTIONAL, TEST FLEXIBLE, AND TEST BLIND.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” - Albert Einstein

During the COVID pandemic and shortly thereafter, many colleges and universities did away, temporarily, with the testing requirement. We are seeing that some of those have institutions, however, are reinstating that requirement. It is important for families and applicants to keep a close eye on the admissions standards of schools on their target lists, because it is always in flux.

Not all colleges and universities maintain the same policies in regard to their handling of the standardized test scores. If you are unclear about a school’s admission policy, make sure you investigate so you know whether or not you are required to submit your test scores.

Again: Colleges can and do change their policies, so do not rely on word of mouth.

You may not like hearing this, but it might be a good idea to do some test prep (you can find some great resources free online) and put in an effort to get your test scores. If you do well, that is another arrow in your quiver in case you need it. Maybe you won’t, but at least you’ll have it if you do. Why limit your options?

As you go through the college search process, you will see some testing terms over and over. The biggest one is “Test Optional”. Oftentimes, an applicant or a family will see “test optional” and believe this is an opportunity to simply skip the testing. That is not always the best decision, especially if you are applying to a combination of schools. There is a very high chance you still need the scores for some of those applications. As stated above, there are great, free prep resources for you such as practice tests and study guides easily obtainable.

The biggest problem students have with the standardized tests are not the questions or the material, it is managing your time effectively while taking the exams. This is where practice tests can really make a big impact on your outcome.

Below are brief explanations of the terms Test Optional, Test Flexible, and Test Blind.

TEST OPTIONAL

Test Optional means it is not mandatory for students to submit their SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. For colleges that have a Test Optional admissions policy, the applicant’s high school academic record is the most important assessment criteria. Next in importance are the applicant’s personal essay, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and the personal interview. A Test Optional college may be a great choice for you if you prefer that colleges assess your application based on these other important factors.

Also to consider: if you took the SAT / ACT but did not score as highly as you had hoped, you can apply to Test Optional colleges in order to avoid having to send scores that could potentially hurt your application.

Remember, though, you could be limiting your options here, so do your diligence way in advance so you can prepare yourself for a school’s full admissions process.

TEST FLEXIBLE

Colleges that have a Test Flexible admissions policy allow applicants to submit various other standardized test scores to support their application. Every college has its own list of scores that they will accept. Some may accept International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores. While others may accept the scores of the ACT Assessment Test or the SAT Reasoning Test. You must find out the details from each school so that you know which test scores you are required to submit.

Things change frequently, so be careful you do not rely on word of mouth from a friend who applied to a particular school two years ago, etc.

TEST BLIND

Test Blind admissions is exactly what it sounds like: whether or not a student decides to send their test scores, they won’t be considered as part of the application evaluation. Test Blind schools are not nearly as common as Test Optional ones, but COVID has led more colleges and universities to adopt test blind policies. Prior to the pandemic, only a handful of schools were Test Blind.

ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CURRENT PROCESS IS FOR TEST SUBMISSION AT ALL YOUR SCHOOLS OF CHOICE!