What’s Test Optional Admissions?

While many colleges require students to take the SAT or ACT (with or with the Writing exam) as part of admissions, a number of colleges don’t require students to take the tests or report scores as part of an application process.   Test optional admissions policies sometimes ask students to send additional letters of recommendation or write another essay.  Be sure to check each college’s guidelines, before applying.  Fairtest.org keeps a running list of colleges that have test optional policies.  In California, many California State Universities (CSU’s) are considered test optional, since students with a minimum GPA are automatically eligible for admissions regardless of test scores.   For students who self-identify as “not good test takers”, test optional admissions can help students be as competitive as possible.