Top Universities That Are Test-Optional In 2023

Are you an incoming student in the Class of 2023 or 2024? You may be wondering if a test score is required to apply to college.

A study in March 2022 revealed that nearly 63.5 percent of the top universities had announced they’re going test-optional/ test flexible, for the upcoming admission years. Though test submission is encouraged or likely to correlate with higher admissions rates many of these schools have mentioned that it’s not a requirement for admission.

Here are some top universities that are going test-optional for incoming students.

1. Boston University

Boston University has made the test-optional for first-year applicants applying for fall 2023/spring 2024. This policy applies to all Boston University undergraduate schools and colleges, as well as all scholarship programs.

However, International students will be required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, etc. English test is the mandatory requirement for evaluating English-language proficiency.

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is extending its test-optional policy through fall 2023, removing the SAT/ACT standardized testing requirement for all first-year applicants.

Students who are unable to take the SAT or ACT or who choose not to submit their standardized test scores will be considered equally for admission.

The university also encourages those who have taken the SAT or ACT to submit their scores, while also acknowledging that candidates who do submit scores may not have been able to take the SAT or ACT as planned.

3. Columbia University

Columbia University will use a test-optional approach for first-year and transfer applicants applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering in fall 2023 and 2024.

Students who have previously completed testing and are able to submit SAT or ACT results are welcome to do so. The University will continue to evaluate all submitted information as part of the holistic and contextual review process, which takes into account the unique circumstances that shape each applicant’s journey.

4. Stanford University

Stanford University will not require ACT or SAT scores for first-year or transfer applicants in the 2023 admission cycle. As a result of the ongoing challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as limited access to admission testing worldwide, Stanford University is extending this year’s test-optional policy.

Applications without test scores will not have a disadvantage in the application process. The university added that the students should not harm their health or well-being by taking additional non-required tests.

5. Ohio State University

The Ohio State University has declared the submission of ACT or SAT scores optional for the students for the 2023 spring, summer, and autumn semesters due to the uncertain testing landscape.

6. University of Texas

High school students applying to The University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate admission in the fall of 2023 will not be required to submit an ACT or SAT test score.

International students applying to The University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate admission in the fall of 2023 will not be required to submit an ACT or SAT test score, however, for non-native English-speaking student, language proficiency test such as TOEFL, and IELTS is mandatory.

7. Harvard University

Harvard University has decided to go test-optional and for the upcoming admissions, students will be able to apply for admission without having to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Standardized tests are one of many factors considered in Harvard’s whole-person admissions process. Extracurricular activities, community involvement, employment, and family responsibilities are all taken into account as part of the admissions process.

Applicants will be evaluated based on what they have presented, and students are encouraged to send whatever materials they believe will convey their secondary school accomplishments and future promise.

8. Yale University

In response to the ongoing pandemic situation, Yale university has extended its test-optional policy for another additional year, wherein students applying for fall 2023 admission, can apply with or without the SAT /ACT scores.

9. University of California

The University of California Board unanimously approved the suspension of the standardized test requirement (ACT/SAT) for all freshman applicants until fall 2024.

The suspension will allow the University to develop a new test that is more in line with the content that the University expects students to know for college readiness.

If the new test does not meet the specified criteria in time for fall 2025 admission, UC will remove the standardized testing requirement for students.

10. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago has decided to go test-optional, which means that we do not require students to share their SAT or ACT scores if they were unable to test or prefer not to share their scores. This policy is open to all applicants, including first-year domestic students, international students, and transfer students.

11. Johns Hopkins University

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on testing availability and access, Johns Hopkins University will remain test-optional through the application year 2023-2026. This means that if you apply to Hopkins as part of the class entering in the fall of 2023, 2024, 2025, or 2026, you will not be required to submit test scores.

If you have a test score from the SAT, ACT, AP, IB, English language proficiency examinations, or any other test you believe reflects your academic abilities, you can share it.

However, TOEFL and IELTS English Exams are recommended for applicants whose primary language is not English.

12. Cornell University

Cornell University extends its Test-Optional and Score-Free Undergraduate Admissions Testing Policies to First-Year Applicants in fall 2023 and fall 2024. Cornell has not required first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT exam scores since April 2020.

The university has begun a two-year deliberate experimental review in order to guide admission testing policy requirements beyond these two years.

The university is conducting a self-study on the role of testing in promoting access and success at Cornell, as well as a systematic review of admission assessments in collaboration with other universities and higher education organizations.

13. University of Michigan

The Test Flexible policy at the University of Michigan will be maintained for the admissions cycles of 2023 and 2024. If you are a non-native English speaker, you must submit a test score demonstrating your English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc.).

International students who do not want their ACT/SAT scores considered as part of their application should indicate this on the testing question within the application and self-report any other score information they want to be considered, such as AP or IB exam scores.

14. University of Washington

The University of Washington no longer requires incoming students to take the SAT/ACT. At the University of Washington, you will not be ignored for sending low or no scores. In fact, the reviewers will not see your test scores when they read your application.

Historically, the SAT/ACT was a small consideration in the broader review when compared to curriculum quality and course performance. Moving forward, the focus of our review of students’ academic preparation will remain on curriculum quality and course performance.

However, international applicants must still demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores.

15. University of Wisconsin

Students applying for admission in the spring of 2021, fall of 2021, spring of 2022, spring of 2023, spring of 2024, fall of 2024, and spring of 2025 will not be required to submit an ACT or SAT score.

The university takes into account a student’s grades, the courses taken, and the complexity of those courses.

The course and grade information is supplemented by essays, a letter of recommendation from an academic source, and other materials provided by the applicant will be considered. The overall application review has always included more than just ACT and SAT scores.

You will not be ignored if you choose not to have your scores considered because we will continue to review all aspects of your application.

16. The Penn University

Penn State first-year applicants will be able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications until Summer/Fall 2023.

Even international students are not required to submit the SAT or ACT test scores as part of the application process. However, students whose first language is not English must meet Penn State’s English language proficiency requirement by submitting the mandatory English proficiency language test.

17. University of Illinois

The University Of Illinois System Board Of Trustees’ Executive Committee approved a test-optional policy to allow high school students to apply for admission in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years without taking standardized tests.

Conclusion

If you’re an incoming student looking to start your overseas education, For expert advice, get in touch with Kavitta Mehta at 3RDiConsulting.