The Difference Between “Test Optional” and “Test Blind”
At Lotus, we are committed to making the college process simpler and less stressful. In 2020, that means adding new phrases into our college application vocabularies like “test optional” and “test blind.” We have been hearing several families become overwhelmed by these terms and have seen other families stop preparing for standardized tests entirely because of them, so we thought it was time to clear things up and help you stay ahead, stay informed, and stay educated.
Test Optional:
When a school says it is “test-optional,” it means that standardized tests will still be considered as part of a student’s admissions portfolio. The college or university will still consider SAT, ACT, and SAT II scores when deciding on an admissions candidate, though these are not required parts of admission.
So wait, you may be thinking, why are so many schools going test-optional for 2020 if they are still going to be considering standardized test scores?
Great question.
Schools have been pressured to go test-optional for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle because COVID_19 has made it more difficult for students to access SAT and ACT test centers. Had the college board or ACT successfully made remote testing available at an earlier date, some of these schools may not have implemented test-optional admissions policies. Additionally, if students have financial and geographic access to these tests, many schools, especially the more competitive ones, will still expect high scores from their admissions pool.
Test-Blind:
“Test-blind” means what many people think “test-optional” means: test scores will not be considered as a part of the student’s admissions portfolio. An incredibly low number of schools are going “test-blind” even though they are often being portrayed as such. One notable example is The Massachusetts Institute of Technology which has stated that they will not be considering SAT II scores as part of students’ admissions portfolios. Test scores are only truly optional if a school is test-blind.
Lotus Recommendation:
So what are we recommending? If your student has the financial means and mental willpower, it is better for them to prepare as hard as they can over the summer to achieve the highest scores they can on their standardized tests this fall. In many respects, their admissions chances may be even more optimistic this year, so it is important to prepare as much as possible in their unique situation.
