2020 Testing Requirements for Colleges
With so many colleges adopting test-optional or test-blind policies, many students are getting lost within all the different requirements (and non-requirements). That’s why, we’ve created a list of the 20 most popular colleges that our MEK students have applied to over the past three years. The list shows their updated testing policies for the 2020-2021 application cycle.
| College/University | US News Ranking | SAT/ACT | SAT Subject Test | Submitting Test Scores | Superscore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton University | #1 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| Harvard University | #2 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Columbia University | #3 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Duke University | #10 | Optional | Not required | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Brown University | #14 | Optional | Not recommended, but considered | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Cornell University | #17 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Universities of California | -- | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report, sent to ONE campus only | Yes |
| Emory University | #21 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Georgetown University | #24 | Required | Recommended | Official Score Report | No, submit entire testing record |
| Carnegie Mellon University | #25 | Flexible | Not considered | Official Score Report | Yes |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor | #25 | Flexible | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | #29 | Optional | Optional | Self-report | Yes |
| New York University | #29 | Flexible | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| Boston College | #37 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| Boston University | #40 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| Northeastern University | #40 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report OR self-report | Yes |
| University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign | #48 | Optional | Optional | Self-report | Yes |
| Rutgers University - New Brunswick | #62 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| George Washington University | #70 | Optional | Optional | Official Score Report | Yes |
| United States Service Academies | unranked | Required | Not considered | Official Score Report | Yes |
Test-Optional
Almost all of the above schools are test-optional. This means they will accept and consider test scores if you submit them, but they do not require it. If a school is test-optional, we highly recommend you take and submit test scores if possible. It will be a distinct advantage to your application. (Find out why here.)
Even if a college is test-optional, make sure to double check the school’s detailed testing policies. For selective programs, such as honors programs and accelerated medical/law programs, many schools are still requiring testing.
Test-Flexible
Test-flexible colleges are basically test-optional schools that highly recommend submitting test scores. While you have the option to not submit test scores, they would prefer you do.
Test-Required
Schools that historically place high emphasis on testing have maintained their testing requirement, which simply means you must submit test scores.
Test-Blind
Test-blind is when a school “does not consider” your test scores. They will NOT review scores or factor it into their admission decision. So there is no reason to submit them.
Notice, a couple of the above schools do not consider SAT Subject tests. However, all 20 colleges do consider your SAT/ACT scores.
Next Steps
If any of the above colleges are on your college list, you should plan on taking the SAT or ACT.
However, because of COVID-19, this may not be possible for some students. If that’s the case, we suggest applying to colleges that have a “test-optional” policy and looking for ways to make other parts of your application shine.
Want help? Call 855-346-1410 or contact us here to set up a consultation with an expert college admissions counselor!
