Should I submit my SAT or ACT score to a test-optional college?
Updated November 3, 2026 · facts checked against College Board and ACT sources listed below
Short answer
Submit your score if it is at or above the middle of the college's published middle-50% range for enrolled students; consider leaving it off if it is well below. Test-optional means the college will review your application without a score, but a strong score is still extra evidence. Policies change from year to year, so check each college's current page.
A simple rule
- Find the college's 25th–75th percentile SAT or ACT range for admitted or enrolled students.
- At or above the midpoint: send it.
- Inside the range but below the midpoint: it is a judgment call; consider how strong the rest of your application is.
- Below the 25th percentile: most applicants in this position leave it off at test-optional colleges.
Things to check
- Whether the college is test-optional, test-required or test-blind for your year of entry; several selective colleges have returned to requiring scores.
- Whether scholarships or honors programs at the same college still require a score.
- Whether the college superscores, which may make a retake worthwhile.
Common questions
Do test-optional colleges look down on applicants without scores?
They say they review applications without scores fully, but a score at or above their middle range can still strengthen an application.
Is test-optional the same as test-blind?
No. Test-optional colleges consider scores if you send them; test-blind colleges do not look at them at all.
Free tools for this
Sources
Policies and formats change; confirm details on collegeboard.org or act.org before you register.