Top 50 Test-Optional Colleges Not Requiring SAT or ACT for 2024-25

Traditionally, college admissions were a numbers game dominated by GPAs and standardized test scores, particularly the SAT and ACT, which emerged in the 1930s and 1960s, respectively. Scores were seen as key to determining college readiness. However, this paradigm has shifted dramatically in recent years.

Recognizing the limitations of single scores, over a thousand colleges have embraced test-optional policies, seeking to create more equitable and accessible applications that attract a broader student body. This means the choice to submit standardized test scores now rests in the hands of each applicant, with no disadvantage for those who choose not to. So, if you’re dreading the exams or believe they don’t reflect your true academic potential, read on to discover the top test-optional colleges for 2024!

What Does Test-Optional Colleges Mean?

Test-optional policies give students the choice of whether to submit their ACT exam or SAT scores as part of their college application process. This means colleges that are test-optional don’t require these scores for admission.

While this flexibility empowers students to decide how they want to be evaluated, students should also consider whether their scores accurately reflect their academic abilities and will strengthen their application. Notably, some test-optional colleges adopted this policy temporarily due to the pandemic, but over 1,000 have made it permanent.

List of 50 Best Colleges That Don’t Require SAT or ACT

According to FairTest, over 1,800 colleges in the US, including many prestigious institutions such as Harvard, have embraced test-optional policies, recognizing that standardized tests don’t always capture a student’s full potential.

This shift to test-optional admissions opens doors for talented students who may not have good standardized test scores but excel in other areas, such as academics, extracurricular activities, or essays. 

Based on data from FairTest and the College Board, this table includes the top 50 colleges that are test-optional.

College/University	Location
Amherst College	Amherst, MA
Art Center College of Design	Pasadena, CA
Babson College	Wellesley, MA
Bates College	Lewiston, ME
Bennington College	Bennington, VT
Boston College	Chestnut Hill, MA
Bowdoin College	Brunswick, ME
Brandeis University	Waltham, MA
Brigham Young University	Provo, UT
California State University	Los Angeles, CA
Carleton College	Northfield, MN
Case Western Reserve University	Cleveland, OH
Claremont McKenna College	Claremont, CA
Clemson University	Clemson, SC
Colby College	Waterville, ME
Colgate University	Hamilton, NY
Colorado College	Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado School of Mines	Golden, CO
Columbia University	New York, NY
Davidson College	Davidson, NC
Duke University	Durham, NC
Emory University	Atlanta, GA
Grinnell College	Grinnell, IA
Hamilton College	Clinton, NY
Hampshire College	Amherst, MA
Harvard University	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Princeton University	Princeton, New Jersey
Yale University	New Haven, Connecticut
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, California
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, Maryland
Cornell University	Ithaca, New York
University of California, Berkeley	California, Berkeley
Rice University	Houston, Texas
Dartmouth College	Hanover, New Hampshire
Vanderbilt University	Nashville, Tennessee
University of Notre Dame	Notre Dame, Indiana
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Carnegie Mellon University	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Emory University	Atlanta, Georgia
Washington University in St. Louis	St. Louis, Missouri
University of Texas at Austin	Austin, Texas
University of California, Irvine	Irvine, California
University of Wisconsin, Madison	Madison, Wisconsin
Boston University	Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Ohio State University	Columbus, Ohio
Purdue University	West Lafayette, Indiana
University of Maryland, College Park	College Park, Maryland
Lehigh University	Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
University of Miami	Coral Gables, Florida

Note: Check with each college for its specific testing policy before applying.

Suggested – SAT vs. ACT

From the Desk of Yocket

Standardized tests have long been criticized for their inherent biases and limitations. They often favor students from privileged backgrounds who can afford test prep and come from high-performing schools. Additionally, the tests themselves are often seen as poor predictors of college success, failing to capture a student’s full potential and overlooking valuable qualities like creativity, critical thinking, and resilience.

Colleges that go test-optional or test-blind are taking a step toward addressing these concerns. By focusing on a broader range of factors like academic transcripts, essays, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations, they aim to create a more nuanced picture of each applicant. This can lead to a more diverse student body, giving opportunities to talented individuals who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional admissions criteria. Yocket will help you navigate this changing landscape and increase your chances of getting into your dream college.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ACT/SAT optional colleges?

The ACT or SAT exam optional colleges allow students to choose whether or not to submit their standardized test scores as part of their application. They consider other factors like GPA, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations more heavily in the admissions process.

Should I submit my SAT/ACT scores to a test-optional college? 

It depends on your SAT/ACT scores and the rest of your application. If you have strong scores, they could bolster your application. If your scores are low, you may be better off not submitting them.

What should I emphasize in my application if I don’t submit SAT/ACT scores?

Focus on your GPA, essay, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation. Highlight your achievements and unique qualities.