This includes all those colleges which are test-flexible, or test optional, i.e. they do not necessarily depend on using any standardized test as a prerequisite for admission into a particular course. There are colleges that exempt students from taking the tests like SAT/ACT, if they meet grade-point requirements. This comes as a relief for those who had been arguing in the favour of these tests being dropped from admission requirements. This opens the application process to more applicants and the university can then be more selective. There are now over 800 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approach to standardized test scores. majority of colleges, especially prestigious schools and universities, do still require and strongly consider your SAT scores.

‘Test optional’ colleges are those that leave the decision of sending your SAT scores to the student only. It gives students option of representing their strengths in their application form, and does not let SAT be the only representation of your academic ability.

A “test flexible” policy requires you to send test scores, but it allows for different options in place of the SAT. Some universities waive the test requirement if you meet a minimum GPA or are applying to a specific program. Other schools will allow you to send AP test scores or SAT Subject Test scores in lieu of the general SAT. This may reveal your particular academic interests and motivations.

Some of the colleges which do not require Sat scores or are test optional are as follows

• New York University (NY)
• George Washington University (DC)
• Wake Forest University (NC)
• Clark University (MA)
• Temple University (PA)
• University of Arizona (AZ)
• Arizona State University
• Bard College (NY)
• University of Wisconsin –Whitewater (WI)
• American University (DC)
• California State Univ. – Chico (CA)
• Trinity College (CT) “Test Flexible”
• King’s College (PA)
• Hampton University (VA)
• Furman University (SC)
• St. Gregory’s University (OK)
• Pennsylvania College of Technology (PA)
• Western Oregon University (OR)

However most national universities still require SAT scores. This includes Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton; University of California system schools like Berkeley and UCLA; and many other top private schools. So it is wise to look up the sat requirements beforehand. Don’t rule the standardized tests out only to find out when it’s too late, that your desired college needs you to take one.

Author: Mallika Bhagat