Test-optional and test-blind admissions have been on the rise since 2020. Some test-optional and test-blind colleges plan to make this change permanent. Other schools are transitioning back to their old standards. This is why it’s important to remain aware of admissions trends and what colleges are extending test-optional policies. 

In this article, we will review the differences between test-optional colleges and test-blind colleges. We will also discuss some of the pros and cons of applying to test-optional colleges, as well as provide a comprehensive list of test-blind colleges. Not only will this help you stay organized during the college application process, but it will also help you clarify your standardized testing plans as you prepare for college application season. 

Test-blind vs. test-optional

What is test-optional admissions and how is it different from test-blind admissions? 

Test-optional colleges do not require students to submit standardized test scores. That said, if a student chooses to include their SAT and/or ACT scores, the college will consider their scores. It won’t be a key admissions factor, but it will still play a role. 

For example, if a college is trying to decide between two comparable applicants, but one student submitted impressive test scores and the other didn’t, the student who submitted test scores will likely gain admission over the other student. 

So how is this different from test-blind colleges? Test-blind universities do not allow students to submit their test scores. Therefore, test scores do not play a role in the college’s decision-making process. 

In short, the key difference between test-optional admissions and test-blind admissions is that test-optional colleges will consider test scores if submitted, whereas test-blind colleges will not even look at test scores. 

What to consider when applying test-blind

Since the rise of test-optional admissions standards, many students have found themselves wondering, does test-optional hurt your chances? The answer to this question is fairly nuanced. 

Test-blind colleges will never look at an applicant’s test scores. Test-optional colleges, however, will consider them if submitted. Therefore, submitting standardized test scores to a test-optional college may grant your application a competitive edge. Again, this is not the case for test-blind schools. 

If you apply to colleges without test scores, it’s important to realize that the rest of your college application takes on more importance. Chiefly your high school GPA and evidence of course rigor. These are two of the most important factors that college admissions officers look for in an applicant.  

List of test-blind colleges 2023

Below is a list of test-blind schools for 2023. Some of the best test-blind colleges include California Institute of Technology, Pitzer College, University of California (Berkeley), University of California (Los Angeles), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

College Location Undergrad population Testing policy Acceptance rate US News ranking
California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA 987 Test-blind through Fall 2023 4% #9 in National Universities
California State Maritime Academy (CSU) Vallejo, CA 907 Test-blind through 2022-23 82% #3 in Regional Colleges West
Cal Poly Pomona (CSU) Pomona, CA 26,974 Test-blind through 2022-23 61% #14 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (CSU) San Luis Obispo, CA 21,093 Test-blind through Fall 2022 33% #2 in Regional Universities West
Cal State Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA 9,367 Test-blind through 2022-23 85% #60 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal State Channel Islands Camarillo, CA 6,947 Test-blind through 2022-23 79% #28 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal State Chico Chico, CA 14,406 Test-blind through 2022-23 85% #26 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal State Dominguez Hills Carson, CA 15,070 Test-blind through 2022-23 90% #56 in Regional Universities West
Cal State East Bay Hayward, CA 12,462 Test-blind through 2022-23 73% #331-440 in National Universities
Cal State Fresno Fresno, CA 21,776 Test-blind through 2022-23 97% #250 in National Universities (tie)
Cal State Fullerton Fullerton, CA 35,401 Test-blind through 2022-23 59% #166 in National Universities (tie)
Cal State Long Beach Long Beach, CA 33,605 Test blind through 2022-23 47% #137 in National Universities (tie)
Cal State Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 23,484 Test-blind through 2022-23 91% #24 in Regional Universities West
Cal State Monterey Bay Seaside, CA 6,693 Test-blind through 2022-23 93% #22 in Regional Universities West
Cal State Northridge Northridge, CA 34,275 Test-blind through 2022-23 73% #32 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal State Sacramento Sacramento, CA 28,904 Test-blind through 2022-23 94% #38 in Regional Universities West
Cal State San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA 16,704 Test-blind through 2022-23 91% #194 in National Universities (tie)
Cal State San Marcos (CSU) San Marcos, CA 13,865 Test-blind through 2022-23 93% #39 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Cal State Stanislaus (CSU) Turlock, CA 9,198 Test-blind through 2022-23 95% #25 in Regional Universities West
City College of New York (CUNY) New York, NY 12,364 Test-blind through Spring 2023 60% #151 in National Universities (tie)
Dickinson College Carlisle, PA 2,173 Test-blind through 2023 48% #51 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Hampshire College Amherst, MA 472 Permanently test-blind 75% #120 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Humboldt State University (CSU) Arcata, CA 5,201 Test-blind through 2022-23 91% #32 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, LA 3,365 Permanently test-blind 78% #202 in National Universities (tie)
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL 11,834 Permanently test-blind 70% #331-440 in National Universities
Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI 6,611 Permanently test-blind 71% #82 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)
Pitzer College Claremont, CA 1,185 Test-blind through 2025 18% #33 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
Reed College Portland, OR 1,366 Test-blind through Fall 2022 42% #72 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
San Diego State University (CSU) San Diego, CA 30,865 Test-blind through 2022-23 38% #151 in National Universities (tie)
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA 27,179 Test-blind through 2022-23 93% #234 in National Universities (tie)
San Jose State University (CSU) San Jose, CA 28,288 Test-blind through 2022-23 84% #16 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Sonoma State University (CSU) Rohnert Park, CA 6,587 Test-blind through 2022-23 94% #35 in Regional Universities West (tie)
Stonehill College Easton, MA 2,423 Test-blind through Fall 2022 72% #89 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
University of California–Berkeley Berkeley, CA 32,143 Test-blind through Fall 2024 15% #20 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Davis Davis, CA 31,657 Test-blind through Fall 2024 49% #38 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Irvine Irvine, CA 29,449 Test-blind through Fall 2024 29% #34 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 32,119 Test-blind through Fall 2024 11% #20 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Merced Merced, CA 8,321 Test-blind through Fall 2024 87% #97 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Riverside Riverside, CA 22,866 Test-blind through Fall 2024 66% #89 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–San Diego La Jolla, CA 33,343 Test-blind through Fall 2024 34% #34 in National Universities (tie)
University of California–Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 23,091 Test-blind through Fall 2024 29% #32 in National Universities (tie)
University of San Diego La Jolla, CA 5,702 Test-blind through Fall 2024 53% #97 in National Universities (tie)
Washington State University Pullman, WA 24,278 Permanently test-blind 86% #212 in National Universities (tie)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MA 5,224 Permanently test-blind 60% #67 in National Universities (tie)

Why are so many colleges in California test-blind?

You may have noticed from the list above that most of the country’s test-blind colleges are located in California. Why is that? 

After a 2020 ruling by an Alameda County Superior Court judge, the University of California suspended the use of standardized tests for admissions and scholarship decisions. According to the LA Times, Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman argued that “The barriers faced by students with disabilities have been greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic, which has disrupted test-taking locations, closed schools and limited access to school counselors.” Three years later, the University of California and California State University remain test-blind.

Key takeaways and moving forward

There are plenty of options for test-optional colleges in 2023. That said, learning how to find the right college for you can be a difficult process, and it’s best to increase your options by taking the SAT and/or ACT. (Remember, even if you take the SAT and/or ACT, you do not necessarily need to submit your scores.) 

If you suffer from test-taking anxiety, review our article on how to prepare for SAT or ACT test day. You’ll also want to review upcoming SAT and ACT test dates so you prepare and come up with an SAT study plan and schedule. Remember though, applying to test-blind and test-optional colleges is a great option for many students. 

If you have questions about what actually happens during the college admissions committee review or how to get into an Ivy League, reach out to learn more about our services. Here at Prepory, we have the resources to help you reach all of your college goals. 

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When should a high schooler start looking at colleges? It’s no secret that the bulk of college applications are completed during senior year. That said, there are lots of college preparation steps to take during your freshman, sophomore, and junior year. In this article, we will identify 12 college preparation steps to take during high school. We will also let you know when you should be focusing on each of these steps so that you can plan accordingly. 

So for those of you who are wondering, when should I start looking at colleges? and when should I start touring colleges? don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place!

01

Meeting with your guidance counselor

It’s important to establish a relationship with your high school guidance counselor during your freshman year and to maintain this relationship during all four years of high school. Your guidance counselor will be a key resource and advocate for you throughout your high school career, especially if you are planning to apply to college. They are also a great resource for tips on how to stay organized in high school. 

Guidance counselors are meant to help you select your courses, reflect on your academic and career goals, and answer questions such as: When should you start looking at colleges? When do colleges start looking at your grades? And when should you start visiting colleges? So do yourself a favor and meet with your guidance counselor early and often!

02

Talking to current college students

Talking to current college students about transitioning from high school to college can be incredibly helpful, especially if you are wondering how to start searching for colleges. High schools often host question-and-answer sessions with alumni/current college students to answer questions about college. Usually, these types of events take place during your sophomore and/or junior year. 

03

Focusing on your GPA

What years do colleges look at grades? In short, all of them. That’s why it’s important to focus on achieving the best high school GPA you can during all four years of high school. It’s important to note, however, that colleges focus on your 11th-grade grades the most. So make sure to put your best foot forward during your junior year!

04

Taking advanced classes

Your GPA and evidence of course rigor are the two most important factors regarding college admission. Ultimately, this is why it’s important to learn about AP, IB, and AICE classes as soon as possible. You should also meet with your guidance counselor to discuss how many AP classes should you be taking to best reach your academic goals. 

05

Joining extracurricular activities

Your extracurricular activities will play a crucial role in your college applications. This is because colleges want to admit passionate, vibrant students with diverse interests who will go on to enrich their college campuses. Start joining extracurriculars during your freshman year and do your best to maintain your involvement during all four years of high school. Ideally, you should increase your involvement and level of responsibility during your time as an upperclassman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some examples include

  • Student governement
  • Political campaign volunteer
  • future business leaders of america
  • Girl scouts/Boy scouts
  • Model congress
  • Mock trial club
  • Model UN
06

Participating in volunteer opportunities

Colleges value students who participate in volunteer opportunities, especially if they help cultivate leadership skills. Ideally, you should engage in volunteer opportunities during all four years of high school. Do yourself a favor and start logging your activities and volunteer hours right away!

07

Researching and visiting colleges

It’s never too early to start researching colleges, so feel free to get started during your freshman year. That said, you’ll want to start researching colleges during your sophomore and junior year. You can still conduct college research during the fall of your senior year, but ideally, the bulk of your research should already be done. Most students focus on visiting college campuses during the summer before their senior year.

If you are wondering how to start looking for colleges, consider our article on how to find the right college for you. This article will also provide more information on when to start looking at colleges and when to start visiting colleges.

08

Preparing for the SAT and ACT

High school students typically take the PSAT during their sophomore year. Taking the PSAT allows students to gain a greater sense of familiarity with the SAT while getting a better idea of what their testing baseline may be. Ultimately, this will help students come up with an SAT study plan and schedule that is best suited to their needs. 

Students typically take the SAT or ACT two to three times before submitting their college applications: once during the fall of their junior year, once during the spring of their junior year, and once more during the fall of their senior year if needed. Review a complete list of SAT and ACT test dates to plan accordingly. 

09

Asking for letters of recommendation

Most colleges require two to three letters of recommendation. Review our guide to how to ask for a letter of recommendation for more details. The most important thing to remember is to ask for your letters of recommendation early. Students should ask for their letters of recommendation sometime from the end of their junior year to the first few weeks of their senior year. 

10

Writing your personal statement and supplemental essays

Students focus on writing their personal statements and supplemental essays during the fall of their senior year. During your senior year, you will want to review components of a strong personal statement, as well as familiarize yourself with the importance of college supplemental essays, especially the “why this college” essay.

If you want to plan ahead during your junior or even your sophomore year, feel free to review successful personal statements from top colleges to familiarize yourself with what a successful college essay looks like. 

11

Researching and applying for scholarships

When should I start looking for scholarships? Generally the earlier the better! Keep a running list of scholarship opportunities that you can refer to during your senior year. While it’s true that you’ll have to wait until your senior year to apply for scholarships, senior year is incredibly busy, so any prep work you can do ahead of time will be well worth it! You’ll also want to review how to write an essay for scholarships.

12

Applying for financial aid and understanding FAFSA

Applying for financial aid can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve written articles on everything you need to know about FAFSA and how to understand your financial aid package. Although you and your parents will want to start having conversations about financial planning for college throughout high school, most likely starting your freshman year, you won’t have to apply for financial aid until your senior year. 

Key takeaways and moving forward

Your guidance counselor and high school teachers will be valuable resources as you explore the possibility of attending college. Your parents will also be instrumental in this planning process, which is why we’ve assembled our ultimate college planning guide for parents. 

Remember, there are lots of ways to prepare for college throughout all four years of high school. Students may submit their college applications during their senior year, but ideally, they should be preparing for college during all four years. If you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance as you prepare for college and your college applications, reach out to learn more about our services.