It also published a list of more than 265 top tier colleges, measured by U.S. News & World Report, that maintain test-optional and test-flexible policies. Students in 11th grade aren’t able to participate in sports, go to in-person classes or take standardized tests, and colleges are aware of these changing circumstances. Search the 2021 Best Colleges rankings to find your perfect school. Navigating Test-Optional Admissions Amid COVID-19 Some colleges are not requiring the SAT or ACT amid the coronavirus, shifting the emphasis to other parts of an applicant's profile. Medical School Admissions Requirements: A Complete Guide. Read More. Some inclusions are the University of California system, Cornell College, and Williams College. COVID-19, Class of 2021, Test-Optional: The 20-21 College Admissions Cycle. The 2021 Best Test Optional Colleges ranking filters the 2021 Best Colleges ranking to only include colleges that don't require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Updated November 20th at 9:00 AM ET. 3. We know that this is a tough time for a lot of people. More than 1,200 U.S. colleges are test-optional, meaning the college doesn't require test scores, at least not from most students. In the past two weeks, more than ten colleges have announced test-optional … Currently, the College Board is using the upcoming AP Exams as a trial run for online standardized testing, so it may be possible that the SAT and the ACT will be offered online come this fall. The non-profit maintains a database of all test-optional colleges. Now, that list is growing, with many schools announcing test-optional policies for the next admissions cycle in response to limited testing opportunities for the high school class of 2021. It’s easy to locate test-optional institutions. The test-optional movement has been growing for years now, with over 1,100 colleges and universities in the US adopting some form of a test-optional or test-flexible policy. Colleges that have made their applications test-optional prior to the coronavirus outbreak have done so to give low-income and otherwise disadvantaged students a greater chance at acceptance. For a complete list of schools with test-optional and test-flexible policies, visit fairtest.org. Some of the schools on this list might still consider scores that are sent in, while others don’t factor in standardized scores at all—believing in a more holistic approach. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, SA T exams have been canceled across the United States. Now, a growing list of colleges have announced they're going test-optional for the class of 2021, meaning the SAT or ACT will not be required for admission. Schools Temporarily Going Test Optional in 2020-2021 Due to COVID-19. For more information, visit College Transitions’ list of selective, test-optional colleges. The list for these schools is published here. With high school disrupted, a growing number of schools — including Harvard and Cornell — are waiving standardized testing requirements for 2021 applicants. However, unless you possess a blank check to cover your four years of study, due diligence on each test-optional/flexible school to which you apply is essential. For the average individual planning to graduate from high school in Spring 2021, the academic future is uncertain. Wofford College For a complete list of test-optional colleges, visit the National Center for Fair and Open Testing at fairtest.org The test-flexible colleges Some schools offer a test-flexible option that allows students to submit different credentials in place of their SAT scores. Challenging Times. Due to many colleges updating admissions requirements as a result of the pandemic, please visit the college's website for the most up-to-date requirements. The majority of my daughter's schools are now on the test optional list. A simple way to find test-optional colleges is to head to Fairtest. In light of testing uncertainty due to the Covid pandemic, including cancelled SAT and ACT test dates and testing center closures, more than half of US colleges and universities are now test-optional for 2020-2021, with some adopting permanent test-optional policies. Wellesley College (MA) 5. 4. Colleges go test-optional for Class of 2021 April 03, 2020 / Corinne Connor While our normal lives are temporarily on hold due to the coronavirus, the college application process continues with more and more colleges joining the group of schools that no longer require an SAT or ACT score from candidates. Learn more about what “test optional” really means here. The organization has announced that starting August, there will be an SAT administration during every remaining month of the calendar year. All University of California schools are test-optional for the class of 2021. 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