Every College Not Requiring SAT Scores in 2024-2025

Not all admissions processes are created equal. One major point of difference among colleges these days is how admissions officers consider your SAT scores. More and more schools are de-emphasizing SAT scores as part of your application with test-optional and test-flexible policies. Some colleges has even eliminated SAT scores completely!

There are now more than 1,000 accredited, bachelor-degree granting institutions that have changed their approaches to standardized test scores. Keep in mind that the majority of colleges, especially the more prestigious schools, do still require (and strongly consider) SAT scores.

Let's take a look at the different score policies and the schools that no longer require applicants to submit their SAT scores for admission.

Schools Temporarily Going Test Optional Due to COVID-19

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 SAT exams were canceled across the United States. To accommodate this, some schools have instituted a temporary test optional policy for students that is still in place.

For a list of schools that are temporarily test optional, check out this article.

What Is Test Optional?

A test-optional policy leaves the decision up to you as to whether or not you want to send SAT scores to a school. In other words, SAT-optional colleges do not require you to send your scores. Instead, you must decide whether or not your test results are an accurate representation of your academic ability and potential.

Just as with the rest of your application, you can be purposeful in crafting your candidacy to a test-optional college. This leaves you with more choice and control over how you can present your strengths to admissions officers.

Some highly ranked SAT-optional schools include the following:

• Bates College
• Bowdoin College
• Bryn Mawr College
• Columbia College
• The George Washington University
• Hofstra University
• Pitzer College
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Smith College (for US citizens/permanent residents)
• University of Chicago
• Wake Forest University
• Wesleyan University (for students attending US/Canadian high schools)
  
  

Scroll down to see the full list of colleges that do not require SAT scores.

What Is Test Flexible?

While a test-flexible policy requires you to send test scores, it might allow for different options in place of the SAT. For example, some schools might waive their test requirements if you meet a minimum GPA or are applying to a specific program, while others might let you send AP scores or IB scores in lieu of SAT scores.

The rationale is that these scores can demonstrate subject mastery and therefore reveal your own particular academic interests and motivations.

NYU's test-flexible policy, for example, states the following:

Because the specifics of test-flexible policies can vary from school to school, you should check with your colleges of interest to make sure you're fulfilling the application requirements. This info should be available on each school's website, but if not, definitely call and speak to an admissions officer directly.

You'll not only get the info you need but also demonstrate your interest and a proactive approach to the college, which could ultimately help you stand out from other applicants.

Test flexible schools used to be more common, but the rise in popularity of test-optional schools during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in most of them becoming permanently test optional.

What Is Test Blind?

Currently, there are only a small number of colleges that have test-blind policies. That means these colleges do not want you to send any test scores at all. If you do, they won't be reviewed.

Here's how this policy looks for one test-blind school: Hampshire College in Amherst, MA.

"Hampshire College does not consider SAT or ACT scores in any way as part of admissions and financial aid decisions."

Other schools that are test blind include:

• Alaska Pacific University
• Catholic University of America
• Dickinson College
• Northern Michigan University
• Pitzer College
• Reed College
• The University of California system of schools (but they will develop their own standardized admissions test in the future)
• Wells College

As you can see, schools have different approaches to SAT scores and how much they weigh into your application (if at all).

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of all schools not requiring the SAT, as well as a list of top-tier test-optional and test-flexible colleges.

When applying to college, make sure to explore all the different policies for standardized tests.

Top-Tier Schools That De-emphasize the SAT

In this section, we've listed 320+ top-tier liberal arts colleges and research universities that de-emphasize the SAT. Some of these schools are test flexible, some are test optional, and others have guaranteed admission based on GPA or class rank.

By top tier, we mean any school ranked among the top 250 on the US News lists for best liberal arts colleges, best national universities, best regional universities, or best regional colleges. 

Take a look and see if any schools you're interested in are on these lists! Since they are quite long, you can also search directly for a school of interest with the ctrl + F function on your keyboard.

Source: FairTest.org

You might notice that liberal arts colleges are more likely to have test-optional policies than research universities are. In recent years, liberal arts schools have increasingly taken the position that your test scores are only one component of your application and don't represent the sum of your academic potential.

It's important to know the SAT policies of schools long before you actually apply, since taking and prepping for the SAT can begin more than a year in advance of your deadlines.

Now that you're aware of these different policies, your first course of action is to start exploring.

What Should You Do With These Test-Optional Lists?

Now that you have a sense of all the schools with test-optional or text-flexible admissions policies, what should you do next? Consider these four tips for moving forward in the college application process.

#1: Do Your Own Fact Checking

Since admissions processes are complex and unique to each school, it falls on you to thoroughly explore the policies of all the colleges you're interested in.

As mentioned above, if you can't find a detailed explanation on the college's website, don't hesitate to call an admissions officer and ask directly. This is also a question you could bring to your college visits, as long as you answer it early enough to give yourself enough time for test prep.

#2: Take the SAT or ACT to Keep Your Options Open

Your college list is almost certainly going to change throughout junior and even senior year. Don't limit yourself prematurely by ruling out the SAT, as you'll want to keep your options open.

Think about it: you wouldn't want to fall in love with a college only to discover you don't have time to take the SAT or prep effectively for it and thus can't meet the school's admission requirements.

Planning and prepping should begin at least by early junior year, and it's very unlikely that you'll have your college list finalized by then. As you plan out your schedule, visit our resources on when you should start prepping for the SAT and what the best test dates are for you.

#3: Consider Applying to Many Schools

On a similar note, it isn't wise to limit yourself to certain schools just so you can avoid taking the SAT. The fit of the college—from its academics and extracurricular opportunities to its campus and culture—are much more important factors in determining where you'll be spending the four years of your life after high school.

Even if you feel anxious about the SAT, the skills of applied discipline and personal growth that you develop preparing for it will be useful to you throughout your academic and professional careers.

#4: Analyze the Strength of Your Application

If you're applying to colleges that do not require the SAT or that have test-flexible options, it'll help you to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Have you achieved (or will you be able to get) a strong SAT score, or is your academic ability better represented through AP tests and IB exams? Will these scores strengthen your application, or do they not truly represent your skills and abilities? Where do you shine the brightest?

Though SAT-optional policies are yet another thing to think about as you apply, having that choice can ultimately only work in your benefit. By making an informed and intentional decision, you have the power to shape the story you tell to admissions officers.

What's Next?

Want to find out more about test-optional schools specifically? Check out our in-depth guide to see all 500+ test-optional schools, and get tips on whether to apply to them or not.

Even among universities that do require SAT scores, there's some variation in how they look at your scores. Check out the full list of colleges that superscore the SAT, and learn how this info could completely transform your approach to test prep.

Exploring your standardized testing options? Many colleges also superscore the ACT. Click here for the full list and for strategies on how to get your best ACT score.