Whether your child is entering high school this fall or preparing to submit college applications as a senior, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: standardized testing is playing a larger role in college admissions once again. For the past several years, "test-optional" has dominated the admissions conversation. Many families assumed this meant SAT and ACT scores no longer mattered. However, the latest Class of 2026 admissions data tells a different story. According to the Common Application, 52% of applicants in the 2025–2026 admissions cycle chose to submit SAT or ACT scores—the first time since 2020 that a majority of applicants included standardized test scores with their applications. Although many colleges still maintain test-optional policies, more students are deciding that submitting strong scores strengthens their applications and can improve opportunities for both admission and merit-based scholarships.
🎙️Listen to this conversation on Test Scores: The College Admissions Edge on the Tests and the Rest podcast.
The Test-Optional Paradox
Test-optional means students may choose whether to submit scores—not that colleges ignore them. Admissions offices evaluate applicants holistically, considering grades, course rigor, extracurricular involvement, essays, recommendations, and many other factors. When a student's SAT or ACT score reinforces the rest of the application, it provides additional evidence of college readiness.
Recent admissions data illustrate this trend:
- Tufts University: About half of applicants submitted test scores, yet approximately 75% of admitted students were score submitters.
- Duke University: Only 43% of applicants submitted scores, but they represented 67% of admitted students.
- Emory University: Approximately 70% of admitted students submitted standardized test scores.
While these figures do not mean that test scores alone determine admission decisions, they suggest that strong scores continue to provide an advantage at many selective universities.
Strong Test Scores Can Open the Door to Merit Scholarships
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding test-optional admissions is that scholarships are also test-optional. In reality, many colleges continue to use SAT and ACT scores when awarding institutional merit scholarships, admission to honors colleges, and competitive academic awards. A strong test score may:
- Increase eligibility for automatic merit scholarships
- Qualify students for higher scholarship tiers
- Improve honors college opportunities
- Reduce the overall cost of college by thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars over four years
For many families, a few additional points on the SAT or ACT can translate into significant savings.
What Should Your Family Do?
Freshmen & Sophomores (Grades 9–10): Build the Foundation
Now is the time to establish strong academic habits.
Encourage your student to:
- Take challenging coursework when appropriate.
- Develop consistent study routines.
- Read regularly and strengthen math fundamentals.
These habits benefit classroom success today while laying the groundwork for future standardized testing.
Sophomore Year: Take a Baseline Practice Test
During the spring of sophomore year, students should take a full-length practice test for the SAT and ACT.
A diagnostic assessment helps determine:
- Which exam better matches the student's strengths
- Current performance level
- Areas needing improvement
- A realistic testing timeline
Many students naturally perform better on one exam than the other.
Junior Year: Prepare with a Plan
Junior year remains the most important testing year.
Most students should:
- Begin targeted preparation several months before testing.
- Take an initial official SAT or ACT during the late fall or winter.
- Plan for a second or third attempt if needed to improve scores or take advantage of superscoring opportunities.
Starting early provides flexibility and reduces stress during application season.
Senior Year: Make Strategic Submission Decisions
Not every college application requires a test score. Before applying, compare your student's scores with the middle 50% range of admitted students at each college. If the score strengthens the overall application, submit it. If it falls significantly below the college's typical admitted range, applying test-optional may still be the better strategy. The key is making an informed decision for each individual college, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
The Bottom Line
The latest Class of 2026 admissions data sends a clear message: students are increasingly choosing to submit standardized test scores—even when they don't have to.
Strong SAT or ACT scores remain an important tool for helping students:
- Stand out in competitive applicant pools
- Demonstrate academic readiness
- Increase admission opportunities
- Maximize merit scholarship eligibility
Every student's testing strategy should be personalized based on academic profile, college goals, and scholarship opportunities.
At Seeley Test Pros/ LEAP, we help families determine whether to test, when to test, and when submitting scores will provide the greatest advantage. Because in today's admissions landscape, the right testing strategy can make a meaningful difference in both where your student is admitted and how much college ultimately costs.
If you have questions about your student's testing plan, score goals, or next steps, we're always happy to help. Reach out anytime to discuss next steps for your student’s test journey!
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📧 Email us at info@leaprogram.com