At this point in the summer, it’s no longer news that a huge number of colleges and universities have gone test-optional for the next admissions cycle. Many have already declared they will be test-optional for a year or two after this one, and some have permanently gone test-optional. Some, of course, were already test-optional even before COVID-19 forced testing sites to cancel. So if you haven’t already taken an SAT or ACT, you shouldn’t worry. (And, for your safety, you shouldn’t take the test this fall, even if you find an open test site.) But this year many students who do already have test scores are facing a dilemma that used to only be a decision for a few people: should you send your scores to a test-optional school?

I was asked this question at a workshop a few weeks ago with upcoming seniors. And the answer I gave was…vague, because I struggle with this question. What I said is that students should have a good honest look at the scores they have—if they have them—and ask if the scores are a pretty accurate reflection of their strengths as a student. If your SAT score was in the 85th percentile, and your class rank is also around the 85th percentile, and your accomplishments seem better than average even if your resume isn’t the most impressive in your school, then that SAT score is probably fairly accurate. More accurate data is better than less, so I said to go ahead and submit the scores. But if you don’t think your test scores are a fair reflection of your abilities, because you had a bad test day, or are generally not a strong test-taker, or the score is lower than what you normally got on practice tests, then you should strongly consider not sending the score, because it’s not accurate data.

One of the other consultants at the workshop said she uses a more formulaic approach. If I remember correctly, she advises students to definitely submit their scores if they fit into the top 25% of a college’s reported scores, probably submit them if they’re in the school’s midrange, and not submit them if they’re in the bottom quarter. This approach makes sense, and I won’t argue with it. I think it’s probably close to what most counselors would advise. I don’t think it’s bad advice per se. But I just can’t bring myself to give the same advice.

One reason is structural. Imagine a university that isn’t just test-optional for one year, but every year. If every year people whose scores would be in the bottom 25% of a schools’ reported scores choose not to submit scores, then the next year’s range at that college will be even higher, because only students with top scores will submit. So the next year, even fewer students will want to submit scores, and then the midrange moves up even higher. Within a few years only people with a perfect ACT or SAT score will feel like they can submit. It’s either an unsustainable model, or one where only the students with access to more and better counseling are “in the know” about how to work the system. We have too many unsustainable and inequitable systems already. There are solutions to this structural problem. The testing companies can change what the scores look like; schools can stop reporting their students’ scores so there’s nothing to compare with; we can ditch the tests altogether. But right now most schools are essentially telling students “we’re not ready to make a tough decision about tests, you make it instead.” The standard advice, which does make sense, makes sense by asking students to make the send/not-send decision based on comparing themselves to numbers a college reports rather than thinking about their own strengths and self-assessments.

The other reason I don’t like the standard advice is emotional. I have to wonder what goes through the mind of someone who was accepted into a college after they decided not to send scores because they were below the midrange. Some students will undoubtedly be grateful that the school gave them the option to not report the weaker part of their application. They’ll be fine. But many others will be setting themselves up for a big and unnecessary dose of imposter syndrome, feeling that they don’t really belong where they are, or that they’re somehow deficient. If they think they only got in because they hid part of their application and didn’t present themselves honestly, then I don’t want to be a part of that.

So I, for the most part, am recommending that the main factor in deciding to send scores should be you. Are the scores aligned with your other information? Are you proud of them? Are you being realistic about them? If so, send them. Don’t let the time and preparation you put into the test go to waste—because those test scores are definitely useless once you’re out of high school.

If you want to feel you’re being more strategic than that, then there is another factor to consider: what is the school’s attitude about being test-optional? Have they been test-optional for years? They obviously don’t think scores are super-important, and you should feel more comfortable not submitting scores for whatever reason. If they just became test-optional this spring, do they intend to stay test-optional? If so, then feel more comfortable keeping your scores to yourself. But if you get the sense that they are begrudgingly test-optional, only for this year and only because of the lack of testing sites, then you may consider sending scores if you have them. They’re signaling that they really prefer test scores and may be less hesitant accepting someone with scores than without. I’ve seen college admissions web pages that make it very clear they’re happy to be test-optional, And I’ve seen some where you really have to search for the phrase “not requiring.”

You should also feel more comfortable not sending SAT/ACT scores if you have other scores to send, like AP exams, PSAT, or SAT Subject tests. Especially if those other measures accurately reflect your best efforts and the SAT or ACT doesn’t, feel more confident keeping your ACT/SAT to yourself and relying on those other tests to let colleges know who you are.

So to summarize: make the decision to send or withhold your scores based on how well you believe the scores reflect your academic abilities, not by comparing them to a school’s midrange. Feel less confident in withholding scores if you get the sense the school really prefers them, and feel more confident if you have some other “objective” data that shows off your abilities. So yeah, a little vague. But I prefer vague, difficult advice based on self-knowledge over clear, formulaic, but dehumanizing advice any day.

That’s fine guidance to give a group of strangers in a workshop or over the internet, but is it the same advice I’d give one of my own paying clients? Actually, yes. I’m working with a rising senior who’s getting his applications as ready as possible this summer. He has a 29 composite score on the ACT, which is wonderful. However, two schools he’s applying to are Vanderbilt and Tulane. Both are test-optional for this year, so he can choose not to submit his scores. Why would he not want to send a 29? Because 93% of Vandy students score a 30 or higher. And 88% of Tulane students score above 29. So he’s considering keeping his 29 to himself. What did I say to him? Here’s what I emailed him:

It makes sense to avoid sending scores to Vandy and Tulane. Your composite score of 29 is in the bottom 25% of their scores. And the conventional advice is that you should not send scores if they're not at least within the midrange. 

The conventional advice really bothers me, especially for someone like you who has a 29, which is squarely in the top 10% of test-takers. It conveys the message that your test score is something that you should hide, because it's deficient. And nothing about your academic record or testing results is deficient in any way. You're a strong candidate and you should be proud of your accomplishments. So I'm going to ask this favor: if you don't submit scores to Vandy and Tulane and are accepted, you have to promise you won't feel like you tricked them, that you "barely got in," or that you don't deserve to be there.

And there's another way to look at it. The reason they're test-optional this year is because they understand that a lot of students have been unable to take the SAT or ACT this year due to Covid. They're going to have a lot of applicants not send scores. If you do send scores, even scores slightly below their normal mid-range, then your application will have more information for them to consider. They'll be able to see that your GPA is matched by scores in the top 10%. There's a possibility that submitting the ACT score could give you a slight advantage this year, but it's not a sure thing. 

So I think it comes down to two things: how accurately the 29 reflects you as a student, and how much tolerance you have for risk. If you think that the 29 is actually too low, that you've always done better in practice tests and it isn't a true reflection of your skills, then don't send it. Not sending the score is also the less risky path to take, though there may be some advantage to sending it.

I hope that helps. Unfortunately there's not a single Right Answer.

I’m saying the same thing to you as the people who pay me: don’t send scores if you think that’s the right strategy. But promise me—and more importantly yourself—that you won’t think you’re tricking anyone, that you “barely got in,” or that you’re somehow less than the other students there.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, here are three easy things you can do:

1. Share it on your social media feeds so your friends and colleagues can see it too.

2. Read these related posts: The Glossary: test optional. SAT scores should look a lot more like AP scores. Are your test scores good?. Should you bother to take the SAT or ACT?.

3. Ask a question—or share other resources—in the comments section.

Apply with Sanity doesn’t have ads or annoying pop-ups. It doesn’t share user data, sell user data, or even track personal data. It doesn’t do anything to “monetize” you. You’re nothing but a reader to me, and that means everything to me.

Photo by Zoe Herring.

Apply with Sanity is a registered trademark of Apply with Sanity, LLC. All rights reserved.