Which Colleges Don't Require SAT or ACT? Full List & Guide

What Does Test-Optional Actually Mean?

Test-Optional vs. Test-Blind vs. Test-Flexible

"Test-optional" means that colleges allow you to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't submit them, your college application won't be penalized. If you do submit them, they will be considered alongside your other materials.

"Test-blind" schools, on the other hand, won’t look at your scores at all—even if you send them. This is rare but growing. Then there’s "test-flexible," which means colleges accept other standardized tests (like AP exams or IB scores) in place of the SAT or ACT.

Some colleges also provide a self-reported score policy, where students can include their scores on the application but don’t have to send official test reports until after admission. This gives applicants flexibility and a chance to reconsider.

Why So Many Schools Dropped Test Requirements

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most testing centers shut down, making it impossible for many students to take the SAT or ACT. Colleges dropped score requirements out of necessity, but then something interesting happened: applications increased, and diversity often improved. So many schools decided to keep the policy, at least for now.

This shift also gave schools a chance to evaluate students more holistically. Without test scores, admissions teams relied more on essays, recommendations, and coursework—elements that can paint a fuller picture of a student’s potential. Test-optional policies have also helped level the playing field for students from under-resourced communities who may not have access to expensive prep tools.

Some institutions found that removing test requirements allowed them to attract more first-generation college students, rural students, and those from underrepresented backgrounds. These changes aligned with their goals to create a more equitable admissions process.

Pros and Cons of Applying Without SAT or ACT Scores

When It’s a Good Idea

If your GPA, coursework, and extracurriculars are strong, but your test scores don’t reflect that, going test-optional might help. It lets you highlight your strengths without being held back by a low number.

This route also benefits students who have test anxiety, limited access to prep resources, or simply didn’t perform well on standardized tests for whatever reason.

Test-optional is also helpful for students with non-traditional academic paths—for example, those who were homeschooled, took a gap year, or experienced personal or family difficulties that disrupted testing.

If you're an artist, entrepreneur, or have a non-academic strength that stands out, the absence of scores might allow those attributes to shine more clearly in your application.

When Scores Can Still Help You

If your scores are well above a school’s average, submit them. They could boost your application and increase your chances of admission—especially at selective colleges. Scores can also validate your academic record if you went to a lesser-known or unaccredited high school.

For students applying to STEM programs, high SAT math scores or ACT science sections can demonstrate subject-specific strengths that may not come through in your transcript alone.

Submitting strong test scores can also provide an additional layer of security in highly competitive applicant pools, serving as a reinforcing data point.

Scholarships and Score Requirements

Here’s the catch: some colleges are test-optional for admission but still require scores for merit scholarships. Always read the fine print. If financial aid is important to you, double-check what each college requires for scholarships.

Even if a college is test-optional, including a high score could qualify you for automatic scholarships or special honors programs. These perks can include priority registration, additional advising, and research opportunities.

It’s worth checking whether submitting test scores can also benefit applications to specialized programs like honors colleges, dual-degree tracks, or early assurance pathways in fields like medicine or law.

Here's when and why you should skip taking the SAT altogether!

Which Colleges Don’t Require SAT or ACT?

The list of test-optional schools changes often, but here’s a breakdown of some key institutions that, as of 2025, do not require SAT or ACT scores:

Top National Universities

• University of Chicago (test-optional since 2018)
• Columbia University
• Harvard University
• Yale University
• University of California system (test-blind)
• Stanford University
• Wake Forest University

These schools accept applications without test scores but place greater emphasis on course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays. Some, like UChicago, have led the movement toward flexible admissions by investing in extensive need-based aid and outreach.

Liberal Arts Colleges

• Bowdoin College (test-optional since 1969)
• Smith College
• Wesleyan University
• Pitzer College (test-blind)
• Middlebury College
• Bates College

Liberal arts colleges often emphasize holistic review and personal fit. They tend to look closely at how you would contribute to campus life and whether you align with their institutional mission.

State and Public Universities

• University of Texas at Austin
• Indiana University
• Rutgers University
• Oregon State University
• Montana State University
• University of Washington
• Michigan State University

Policies at public universities vary by state. Some systems allow individual campuses to set their own rules. For example, the University of California system has gone test-blind, while others like the University of Florida have returned to requiring scores.

Test-optional policies at public universities can make them more accessible to in-state students from underserved regions. Be sure to check if the school has different rules for in-state vs. out-of-state applicants.

Community Colleges and Open-Access Schools

Most community colleges and many regional public universities do not require standardized test scores for admission. These include:

• Santa Monica College (CA)
• CUNY system (NY)
• Miami Dade College (FL)
• Northern Virginia Community College (VA)

Community colleges prioritize open access and often use placement tests or transcripts to determine course placement rather than admission eligibility.

In some states, community colleges also offer automatic transfer pathways to four-year institutions, meaning your standardized test scores become irrelevant as long as you maintain a certain GPA while enrolled.

For the most current list of test-optional schools, check FairTest.org, which tracks updated admissions policies nationwide.

Should You Submit Scores If You Have Them?

Many admissions officers say they practice true "holistic review," meaning they consider the whole student, not just numbers. But strong test scores can still tip the scale, especially at selective schools. If you scored well, it rarely hurts to include them.

A general rule: if your score is above the school’s 50th percentile, submit it. If it’s below, consider leaving it out. Use the Common Data Set or school admissions websites to find score ranges.

How to Strengthen Your Application Without Test Scores

Strong Essays and Personal Statements

Without scores, your writing matters more. Spend time crafting a powerful personal statement. Be specific, honest, and reflective. Show your values, goals, and the journey that brought you here.

Teacher Recommendations

A solid recommendation from someone who knows you well can carry a lot of weight. Choose teachers who can speak to your growth, your personality, and your contributions in class.

Extracurriculars, Portfolios, and Interviews

If you play an instrument, create art, build apps, or lead a club, document it. Share a portfolio, submit a resume, or request an interview if the school offers one. These things show initiative and individuality—qualities that scores can’t capture.

Test-Optional Trends: What’s Changing?

Colleges Returning to Test-Required

Some schools have announced a return to requiring scores starting in 2026. MIT, for example, reinstated its test requirement in 2022, citing data showing that test scores help predict student success in STEM fields.

Will Test-Optional Stay?

Many institutions are still evaluating the long-term impact of test-optional admissions. Some are conducting internal studies; others are watching demographic shifts and academic outcomes. The future of testing in college admissions is still uncertain, but it’s safe to say that flexibility is here to stay—at least for a while.

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