List of Test-Optional Colleges for 2020-2021

In light of the COVID-19 health crisis, many standardized test dates were cancelled or postponed. As a result, many schools have decided not to require test scores in their application process this year. 

If you’re unsure which colleges have made this change, we’ve put together a handy list of test-optional schools for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.

Should You Still Take the SAT/ACT?

Taking the SAT or ACT will never hurt your chances. If you’re decently prepared and have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT, you should do it! Remember, with many schools adopting a test-optional policy, you only have to submit your scores if they’re excellent.

Submitting a good score will definitely help your case—between two applicants with similar profiles, the one with a good standardized test score will likely be chosen.

Although most schools are test-optional for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, some schools still require students to submit standardized test scores at some point in the admissions process or highly encourage it. Make sure you’re prepared to submit scores if your school still requires it. 

As always in the time of COVID-19, your health and safety is the highest priority—if taking the SAT or ACT endangers your or your family, it’s not worth it. 

What about SAT Subject Tests?

If you’re planning on applying to a top 20 liberal arts college or university, you might benefit from sending outstanding scores on 2-3 SAT Subject Tests. 

However, they are absolutely not necessary; most top colleges are test-optional this year, and the Subject Tests have become less important to the admissions process over time. In fact, some schools, such as Amherst and Yale, will not even review Subject Test scores for the 2020-2021 cycle, even if you have them.

Should You Submit Your Scores? 

Here’s our general guideline:

• SAT: submit as long as your score is within 60 points of the 25th percentile score for accepted students.
• ACT: Submit as long as your score is within 3 points of the 25th percentile score for accepted students.

If your scores are lower than that, don’t submit them. Submitting scores well below the 25th percentile will likely do more harm than good for your application.

If you were unable to take the SAT or ACT, you can definitely mention that in the COVID-19 “additional information” section of your application. Just explain your situation clearly and succinctly, whether it was canceled test dates or health concerns.

We have a whole guide on how to approach the SAT/ACT in the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, so check that out for more info.

Test-Optional vs. Test-Blind

With so many schools going test-optional this year, it’s important to know precisely what that means, and how it’s different from test-blind.

When a school is test-optional, it means that standardized test scores are not required as part of a student’s application. However, these schools will still review test scores if they’re submitted—and make their decision accordingly. If you and another applicant have very similar profiles, but the other applicant has submitted a test-score on par with other admitted students’ scores and you haven’t submitted test scores, the other applicant will most likely be chosen.

On the other hand, test-blind schools will not look at standardized test scores, even if you send them. Very few schools are test-blind, but one notable one is Caltech, which is test-blind for 2020-2022 (two admissions cycles). 

Top 150 List of Test-Optional Universities for 2020-2021

Schools with a test-blind policy are marked with an asterisk on the following lists of test-optional schools for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.

Also, keep in mind that some of these schools were test-optional before the pandemic, and are remaining so for this admissions cycle. Some schools are also extending their test-optional policies for the 2021-2022 cycle. Don’t forget to double-check the test policy for the schools you’re applying for, as circumstances may change throughout the year.

Top 50 List of Test-Optional Liberal Arts Colleges for 2020-2021

Want to know your chances of acceptance at your top schools? Even if you’re applying test-optional, our chancing engine will let you know your odds of admission, and give you expert tips to improve your chances. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to give it a try!