---
title: "Test optional vs. test blind: what’s the difference?"
description: Before scrapping your SAT & ACT plans, understand the important differences between colleges that are “test optional” and colleges that are “test blind.”
---

[ArborBridge Blog](https://blog.arborbridge.com)

# [Test optional vs. test blind: what’s the difference?](https://blog.arborbridge.com/test-optional-test-blind-what-difference)

 Written by [Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer](https://blog.arborbridge.com/author/erin-ohsie-frauenhofer) | Jun 28, 2021 9:15:00 PM

The growing number of colleges adopting test-optional policies has some students breathing a sigh of relief. But before you completely scrap your SAT/ACT plans, it’s important to understand the policies of the schools to which you’re applying. There are important differences between “test optional” and what’s called “test blind.”

#### What does "test blind" mean?

Some students assume that when colleges and universities go test optional, SAT/ACT scores are entirely removed from the equation. However, that’s actually only the case at schools that are **test blind: they don’t factor test scores into admissions decisions even if students submit scores.** Hampshire College—which for several years was the only test-blind college in the U.S.—went [test blind](https://www.hampshire.edu/admissions/faq-about-hampshires-test-blind-admission-policy) because “we found through our own internal research that in addition to being biased, these standardized tests are poor predictors of success at Hampshire.”

In mid-2020, only a handful of schools were test blind: Loyola University New Orleans, Northern Illinois University, and Hampshire College. As a result of the pandemic, however, dozens more joined the list, which can be found [here](https://www.fairtest.org/sites/default/files/Test-Blind-Admissions-List.pdf).

A few other points to note:

- [The University of California](https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2021/05/17/u-california-will-not-consider-sat-or-act-scores-future?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=afd944c437-AdmissionsInsider_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-afd944c437-235871869&mc_cid=afd944c437&mc_eid=f2362fce8a) has agreed to go test blind through at least 2025 (after initially announcing a plan to more gradually phase out the SAT and ACT).
- Some schools, such as [the University of New England](https://www.une.edu/admissions/testoptional), are piloting test-blind policies for specified periods of time, although certain students—including international applicants, homeschooled applicants, applicants with GPAs below 2.5, and nursing and pre-med applicants—may still have the option to submit test scores.
- For years, U.S. News & World Report did not include test-blind schools in its rankings, which may be why so few schools have gone fully test blind. For example, [Sarah Lawrence College](https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2020/05/11/loyola-new-orleans-goes-test-blind-admission) was test blind for several years but switched to test optional in 2012 in order to qualify for a U.S. News & World Report ranking. However, now that U.S. News & World Report includes test-blind schools in their rankings, more schools may be willing to explore test-blind policies in the future.

#### **What does "test optional" mean?**

Test-optional policies are more of a gray area and can differ from one school to another. **Most commonly, “test optional” means that students can choose whether or not to submit SAT, ACT, and other test scores for consideration.**

This is an appealing option for many students, especially those who are not strong test-takers but would otherwise be strong candidates. For this reason, **test-optional schools tend to see increases in the numbers of students who apply, along with decreases in the numbers of lower scores reported**, thus simultaneously inflating average test scores and making schools appear more selective.

With that said, students should always read the fine print. **Some test-optional colleges and universities may still require test scores** for out-of-state students, international students, and/or students applying for certain scholarships. Others may waive testing requirements only for students who meet a minimum GPA.

Furthermore, test scores can still be a way for strong test-takers to distinguish themselves. [A majority of students applying to the most selective test-optional institutions still choose to submit scores, and many schools prefer to see scores if students have them.](https://www.applerouth.com/blog/2020/04/14/test-optional-does-not-mean-test-blind-2/)

The bottom line is that test-optional policies can be a great idea for students who are not strong test-takers but would otherwise be strong candidates. **However, most test-optional schools still welcome test scores and consider them to be valuable components of admissions decisions.**

You can check out a list of test-optional schools [here](https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional)—just make sure you understand the ins and outs of the policies of the schools on your list and how they'll affect your chances of admission.

#### **Need more individualized advice?**

The recommendations above are general suggestions. If you have specific questions, [**reach out to our experts here**](https://testprep.arborbridge.com/general-inquiry). We’re happy to help in any way we can.

#### ***About ArborBridge***

*ArborBridge is the global leader in innovative, digital, one-on-one tutoring. With nearly a decade of experience teaching students online, ArborBridge supports students of all kinds: home schoolers, AP students, test preppers, and more. Our tutors specialize in creating personalized plans and in providing compassionate support for students and families.*

[View full post](https://blog.arborbridge.com/test-optional-test-blind-what-difference)

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