As the college admissions landscape continues to evolve,  a common question students are asking: which colleges are test optional? Should you submit SAT or ACT scores, or allow the rest of your application to speak for you?
Since 2020, over 1,900 colleges and universities across the United States have adopted test optional admissions, a major shift accelerated by the pandemic.

According to Fair Test, nearly 80% of U.S. colleges and universities will remain test-optional for 2025 admissions.

In this article, we’ll explain what “test optional” really means, share a full list of test optional colleges for 2025, highlight test blind colleges (which do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all—even if submitted, unlike test optional schools that review scores if provided), and offer guidance on how to apply without SAT or ACT scores.

What Are Test-Optional Colleges?

Test-optional colleges are schools that allow applicants to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.  Students who apply without scores are evaluated holistically, based on GPA, coursework, essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities.

The goal of test-optional admissions is to create a more equitable admissions process for all, especially those facing barriers to standardized testing.

Top Test-Optional Colleges in 2025

Applying without test scores? These test-optional and test-blind colleges for 2025 let you highlight your strengths beyond the SAT or ACT.

College/University	Policy Type	Policy Notes	Applicant Recommendation	Policy Source
Williams College	Test-Optional	The submission of SAT subject tests, AP scores, IB exams, A-levels, and language proficiency tests have been optional at Williams for many years and this will continue to be the case.	N/A	https://www.williams.edu/admission-aid/apply/first-year/
Amherst College	Test-Optional	SAT Subject Tests will not be considered in the evaluation of any applicant.Multiple Test Results: For applicants who have taken the SAT and/or the ACT more than once, Amherst will consider the highest score achieved in each section.English Proficiency Testing: International applicants may be required to submit results for English language proficiency testing. Amherst does not superscore results for English proficiency tests. They accept self-reported test scores and official score reports for English proficiency tests from applicants.	Students who elect to submit self-reported scores for consideration under our test-optional admission policy and who are subsequently admitted and decide to matriculate as first-year students at Amherst will be required to submit official test scores soon after confirming an intent to enroll at Amherst.	https://www.amherst.edu/admission/apply/firstyear/testing
Bowdoin College	Test-Optional	Permanent elimination of Test Scores requirement.For candidates electing to submit them, test scores will be reviewed along with other indicators of academic ability. Bowdoin superscore the SAT & ACT.	N/A	https://www.bowdoin.edu/admissions/apply/test-optional-policy/index.html
Pomona College	Test-Optional	Pomona College Makes Test-Optional Admissions Policy Permanent. If an applicant chooses to submit ACT, they require the applicant to take and submit the Core ACT plus the Science section.There is no admissions “advantage” to submitting an SAT or ACT.	N/A	https://www.pomona.edu/news/2023/11/15-pomona-college-makes-test-optional-admissions-policy-permanenthttps://www.pomona.edu/admissions/paths-apply
Wellesley College	Test-Optional	Test Optional policy till Fall 2025	N/A	https://www.wellesley.edu/admission-aid/apply/first-year-applicants
Carleton College	Test-Optional	Permanent Test-Optional Policy	N/A	https://www.carleton.edu/admissions/apply/steps/criteria/
Claremont McKenna College	Test-Optional	Test Optional policy till Fall 2027. CMC will accept official and self-reported test scores. CMC will continue to superscore the ACT or SAT. This means we will accept the highest scores from each section of the ACT or SAT, regardless of the test date.	N/A	https://www.cmc.edu/admission/first-year-application-instructions
Harvey Mudd College	Test-Optional	HMC extends its ACT/SAT optional pilot through 2026.	They do not require the optional ACT writing section or the optional SAT essay. They will not be considered even if they are submitted.	https://www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/
Princeton University	Test-Optional	Princeton allows applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but they encourage the submission of all test scores. They do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test; applicant can only utilize score choice if the tests are in the same format.	N/A	https://admission.princeton.edu/apply/standardized-testing
Duke University	Test-Optional	For students who submit both ACT and SAT scores, Duke will consider your best score.	N/A	https://admissions.duke.edu/apply/
Northwestern University	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://admissions.northwestern.edu/faqs/standardized-testing-policy/
University of Chicago	Test-Optional	In addition to being test-optional, UChicago practices a “No Harm” policy for application review when considering SAT or ACT scores. Any SAT or ACT score submitted will only be used in review if it will positively affect an applicant’s chance of admission. Test scores that may negatively impact an admission decision will not be considered in review.	N/A	https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/application/
Columbia University	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/columbia-test-optional
Rice University	Test-Optional	Students applying to Rice University are recommended but not required to submit SAT or ACT for admission consideration. Students wanting to show their college readiness and academic strengths may choose to submit SAT, ACT, AP, or IB test scores.	Must submit test scores if they are good as per recommendation of Rice University	https://admission.rice.edu/apply/first-year-domestic-applicants
University of Notre Dame	Test-Optional	Notre Dame is test-optional through at least 2025-26, meaning you are not required to submit scores from ACT and/or SAT exams when you apply.	N/A	https://admissions.nd.edu/apply/evaluation-criteria/
Vanderbilt University	Test-Optional	Vanderbilt University will continue its test-optional policy through fall 2027.	N/A	https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/testing-policies/
Carnegie Mellon University	Test-Optional	Carnegie Mellon University will be test optional for fall 2025 undergraduate admission applications.	Students applying to the School of Computer Science are strongly encouraged to submit either an SAT or ACT score, including the math subscore, to bolster their application’s strength and to aid in determining their ability to succeed academically at Carnegie Mellon.	https://admission-pantheon.cmu.edu/admission/standardized-testing#fall2025
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://record.umich.edu/articles/u-m-formally-adopts-test-optional-admissions-policy/https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/requirements-deadlines
Washington University in St. Louis	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://admissions.washu.edu/common-questions/?_gl=1*ghd917*_ga*MTgyMjU5MzU4Mi4xNzQ4MDg2ODA4*_ga_39KLMC1L2X*czE3NDgwODY4MDgkbzEkZzEkdDE3NDgwODY5OTAkajAkbDAkaDA.
Emory University	Test-Optional	Emory University is test optional for first-year students who would start in Fall 2025.	N/A	https://apply.emory.edu/apply/first-year/tips/standardized-exam-policies.html
University of Virginia	Test-Optional	Test-Optional for admission for Fall 2026	N/A	https://admission.virginia.edu/faqs#:~:text=We%20are%20test%20optional%20for,expect%20decisions%20by%20February%2015.
University of Southern California	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://admission.usc.edu/test-optional-faq/
New York University	Test-Optional	NYU will continue to remain test-optional through the 2026-2027 application cycle.	N/A	https://www.nyu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/how-to-apply/standardized-tests.html
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Test-Optional	N/A	N/A	https://www.admissions.illinois.edu/faq/applicant-freshman
Boston College	Test-Optional	N/A	At Boston College, internal research has shown that test scores, when used alongside other factors such as grades, curriculum rigor, writing, co-curricular involvement, and recommendations, add measurable value in predicting academic success. For this reason, students who complete the SAT or ACT are encouraged to submit their scores.	https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/admission/apply/test-optional.html
Tufts University	Test-Optional	Current test-optional admissions policy for all undergraduate applicants seeking to enroll in the Fall of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. First-year and transfer applicants have a choice about whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for undergraduate admission to Tufts University.	Generally, they encourage applicants with scores of 1300 or higher on the SAT, or 28 or higher on the ACT to include those scores with their applications for admission. Tufts has made the decision to suppress (hide) the SAT and ACT test scores on the Common Application for all students applying. This means that when applicant submit his/her standardized test scores, he will not see them in the application or on the PDF preview of Common Application. Even though they will not be visible to him, those test scores will be a part of the data our admissions team receives, and they will become a part of the application and be visible in his Tufts application to our admissions officers.	https://admissions.tufts.edu/apply/applying-to-tufts/sat-and-act-tests/

While many top colleges give you the option to submit test scores, others go a step further, completely removing SAT or ACT results from the equation.

Top Test-Blind Colleges in 2025

Skipping the SAT or ACT altogether? These test-blind colleges for 2025 won’t consider your scores at all—putting full focus on your grades, essays, and achievements. 

College/University	Policy Type	Policy Notes	Applicant Recommendation	Top 50 Source	Policy Source
University of California, Los Angeles	Test-Blind	UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes, so it is test blind.If an applicant chooses to submit test scores as part of the application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after the enrollment.	N/A	U.S. News Best National University Rankings	https://admission.ucla.edu/apply/first-year/first-year-requirements
University of California, Berkeley	Test-Blind	Berkeley is test-free, meaning they will not use standardized exams (SAT and ACT) in their review process.	N/A	U.S. News Best National University Rankings	https://admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/freshmen/freshmen-requirements/
University of California San Diego	Test-Blind	UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions or scholarship decisions. Hence, it is Test-Blind. If the applicant chooses to submit test scores, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements or for course placement should the applicant be admitted, and enroll at the university.	N/A	U.S. News Best National University Rankings	https://admissions.ucsd.edu/first-year/application-requirements.html#testing
University of California, Davis	Test-Blind	UC Davis no longer considers SAT or ACT test scores for admissions decisions or scholarship awards. so it is Test-Blind	N/A	U.S. News Best National University Rankings	https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/freshman/requirements
University of California, Irvine	Test-Blind	UC Irvine does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. After enrollment, exams may be used for class placement or some graduation requirements.	N/A	U.S. News Best National University Rankings	https://www.admissions.uci.edu/apply/first-year-students/index.php

What Does “Test Optional” Actually Mean?

At test-optional colleges, submitting SAT or ACT scores is entirely up to you. If you choose to send them, your scores will be reviewed alongside your full academic profile. If you don’t, admissions teams will place greater emphasis on other parts of your application, such as your GPA, course rigor, essays, and recommendation letters.

However, it’s important to understand the key difference between test-optional and test blind policies:

• Test Optional: You can submit test scores if you’d like — they’ll be considered, but they’re not required.
  
• Test Blind: Even if you submit your SAT or ACT scores, the college will not review them at all. Test scores are completely excluded from the evaluation process.
  

Be sure to check each school’s specific policy. Some may be test-optional, while others like the University of California system are now test blind.

Are Test-Optional Colleges Really Test-Optional?

Many students ask: Are test-optional colleges really test-optional?

The answer is yes — truly test-optional schools will not penalize applicants who choose not to submit scores. Admissions teams evaluate academic achievement, essays, leadership, and extracurriculars in a holistic review process.

However, at some highly selective schools or in competitive majors like engineering and business, strong scores can still strengthen your application. Always review each school’s policies carefully.

Are Ivy League Schools Test-Optional in 2025?
Although Columbia and Princeton are anticipated to remain test-optional, some Ivy League universities are updating their SAT/ACT testing requirements. Harvard will reinstate testing requirements for Fall 2025. Yale will also reinstate them for Fall 2025 but adopt a test-flexible policy, accepting SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores. Cornell plans to reinstate testing for Fall 2026, with varied test-recommended or score-free policies for Fall 2025 applicants, depending on the specific college. Beginning with the 2025-2026 undergraduate admissions cycle, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is reinstating a standardized testing requirement for applicants, with the goal of bringing additional clarity and transparency to the application process. 

Should You Submit SAT or ACT Scores to Test-Optional Colleges?

Here’s a general rule:

• Submit your scores if they are at or above the college’s middle 50% SAT/ACT range.
  
• Withhold your scores if they fall significantly below that range.

Some majors — especially in STEM, business, or nursing — may still value strong scores even in a test-optional environment.

Most colleges treat the SAT and ACT equally, so give yourself the time to practice and to choose the exam where you perform best.

How to Apply Without Test Scores

If you’re wondering how to apply without test scores, focus on making the rest of your application stand out:

• Maintain a strong GPA with rigorous courses (AP, IB, honors).
  
• Craft compelling personal essays that showcase resilience, curiosity, and leadership.
  
• Secure persuasive recommendation letters. (Learn more about whether you should waive your right to view your letter of recommendation.)
  
• Highlight extracurriculars that demonstrate commitment and impact.
  
• Submit academic portfolios or graded papers if accepted.

Test Optional Scholarship Eligibility

Test-optional scholarship eligibility remains very possible at most institutions. You should always check the testing policies of the schools you’re applying to directly with them to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information. You should also check to make sure that test scores aren’t needed to qualify for any institutional scholarships. Some merit aid awards also require test scores.

FAQs About Test-Optional Colleges

Have questions about how test-optional policies work? Here are answers to some of the most common questions students and families ask during the college admissions process

Should I take the SAT or ACT even if colleges are test-optional?
It depends. Strong test scores can still strengthen your application, especially at highly selective schools or for certain majors.

Do test-optional colleges offer merit scholarships?
Yes. Many test-optional colleges offer generous merit scholarships, but always review specific scholarship criteria.

Final Thoughts

The future of college admissions is increasingly holistic. Whether you submit test scores or not, colleges are seeking well-rounded, intellectually curious students with strong academic records.

By understanding the role of test-optional admissions, knowing which colleges are test-optional, and building a strategic application, you’ll maximize your chances of admission success.

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