300 Colleges That Don’t Require Standardized Tests

Test-optional colleges allow students to decide whether to submit their SAT or ACT scores with their applications. In other words, these schools do not require standardized test scores as part of the admissions process.

Over the last several years, more schools have stopped requiring standardized test scores for admission, shifting instead to test-optional policies. Keep reading to find our list of nearly 300 four-year colleges and universities that don’t require standardized test scores for admission.

We turned to Peterson’s Data to find 388 public and private nonprofit universities that reported on their standardized testing policies. In the 2022-2023 academic year, 293 of those schools (85%) did not require standardized tests for admission.

Of colleges that don’t require standardized tests, 13% still recommend submitting test scores. Most schools (76%) say they’ll consider any test scores you submit, even if they’re not necessarily required or recommended. Just 11% won’t consider SAT or ACT scores, whether you submit them or not

Remember to check with an individual college to confirm its testing policy before you apply.

Colleges that maintain test-optional policies may be test-optional for all applicants or only for some.

This policy allows students who don’t consider themselves strong test-takers to assemble their college applications without standardized test scores so they can draw focus to their other academic and extracurricular achievements.

Some schools permit students to choose whether they submit SAT/ACT scores. Other schools won’t consider test scores from anyone, even if submitted. This situation is rare — accounting for only 11% of schools we analyzed.

Some test-optional schools require SAT/ACT scores from students who fall below a certain GPA or class rank threshold. Of the 388 schools we analyzed, 44 (11%) required standardized test scores from some applicants or for some programs.

Other test-optional colleges require SAT/ACT scores only from certain applicants, such as international, homeschooled, program-specific, and out-of-state applicants. Boise State University, for instance, requires test scores from nonresident homeschooled students.

Other colleges have test-flexible admissions policies. These schools still require students to send in test scores but allow for different options in place of the ACT or SAT, such as AP exams and IB exams.

When you apply to colleges, it’s important to research each school’s test-optional specifications. Some may still require SAT/ACT scores from certain applicants or recommend them, even if they’re not required.

If you’re applying to a test-optional college — or one that doesn’t consider standardized test scores at all — it’s important to consider what these schools do look for in applicants.

Colleges are looking for applicants who will excel academically, engage in student life, enhance campus diversity, and contribute positively to society, college advisor Stephanie DeBord told BestColleges.

DeBord explained that even when you submit test scores, colleges don’t base their admissions decisions on any single factor. Instead, colleges and universities utilize a comprehensive, holistic review process, she said.

This evaluation includes all aspects of the application, such as academic transcripts, GPA, personal essays, extracurricular involvement, and recommendation letters.

When you apply, DeBord advises to ask admissions officers the following questions:

You can also find resources and advice for strengthening your application outside of test scores. Check out advice for writing an admissions essay, requesting recommendation letters, and highlighting the right extracurriculars in your application.