Some top 25 schools no longer “require” the SAT/ACT, should I submit my 1470 or go test-optional?

55% of students submitted scores at top 25 Universities (That allowed test-optional)—which is marginally the majority. I know for a fact several applicants who did not submit SAT/ACT scores were accepted at schools with sub-9% acceptance rates. Therefore, it would be incorrect to conclude that admissions committees ignored the applications of students who did not submit scores or admitted only students with high scores.

More to this specific case: If you have exceptionally strong grades and a truly compelling story about something you’re passionate about, I doubt your SAT/ACT scores (which are only slightly below the average admitted at Princeton or Harvard) would hurt you. Nonetheless, realize there is a Lemons Problem here. Those with excellent scores will submit. Those without, won’t. Thus, expect that the average SAT score of admitted students will rise as long as colleges continue test-optional policies.

Thus, if you cannot do better on subsequent SAT testing, and are not a great athlete, community contributor, musician or scientist in the making, I would withhold them (unless you get some school-specific information that tells you otherwise). I think the best schools will weigh your application fairly without them. The ones that don’t, don’t deserve you.

As a final note: I would also consider taking the ACT, since this tests for different aptitude (Science/Grammar) and, in my opinion, is a better metric. I have met near-perfect SAT takers who have not mastered the English language—written or spoken. I have never heard anyone say the same thing about perfect ACT scorers.