By ArborBridge

College admissions testing in 2025 is more complex than ever. While headlines often focus on whether schools are “test optional” or “test required,” the truth is more nuanced and changing quickly. At ArborBridge, we’re seeing new trends emerge every month as colleges fine-tune policies, digital testing continues to evolve, and families weigh how to use test scores strategically. Drawing on data from thousands of students and insights from our academic experts, including General Manager and Curriculum Director Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer, we’re breaking down what’s really happening behind the scenes and what students and counselors need to know to stay ahead.

Selective Schools Are Swinging Back

After several years of widespread test-optional policies, many of the nation’s most selective colleges are returning to requiring standardized test scores. Institutions like Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown have announced reinstated testing requirements, citing research that SAT and ACT scores remain strong predictors of student success and persistence. Others, including Harvard and Cornell, have signaled similar discussions are underway.

“We’re seeing a shift from ‘testing is optional’ to ‘testing is informative,’” says Jenny Cochran, Director of Partnerships at ArborBridge. “Colleges want every data point they can get to make nuanced, equitable decisions, especially as grading standards vary widely across schools.”

Still, not all institutions are following the same path. While highly selective private and flagship public universities are swinging back, many regional or mid-tier institutions remain test optional, seeing flexibility as a competitive advantage in attracting applicants.

Optional Doesn’t Mean Blind

At truly test-optional schools, applicants can choose whether to submit scores  but “optional” doesn’t mean “irrelevant.” When strong scores are submitted, they can meaningfully boost an applicant’s chances, particularly in competitive environments.

This is especially true for students at rigorous public or independent schools, where a large percentage of peers are testing and submitting. Admissions officers can easily see that context: if a student chooses not to submit while most classmates do, the omission may subtly shift how their application is read.

“The presence or absence of a score still tells a story,” explains  Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer, General Manager and Director of Curriculum at ArborBridge. “A strong score can affirm what grades and essays already show, a readiness for college-level work. And in some cases, it can fill in gaps where transcripts don’t tell the full story.”

Test Blind Is Still Rare

Only a handful of institutions remain truly test blind — meaning they won’t look at scores at all, even perfect ones. These include the University of California and Cal State systems, Reed College, and a small number of specialized liberal arts or technical programs through at least 2026.

For families, understanding this distinction is critical. “Test optional” and “test blind” are often used interchangeably in headlines, but they mean fundamentally different things. Students applying to UC schools, for example, can’t use strong test scores to offset weaker grades or limited AP access. Meanwhile, students applying to test-optional schools like Boston College or Tulane may gain a measurable edge by submitting.

Myth Bust: Test Optional ≠ Easier Admissions

When test-optional policies became widespread in 2020, many families assumed admissions would become less stressful. The reality? The opposite happened.

Applicant pools exploded. The ease of applying without scores combined with online submissions and Common App simplifications led to record-breaking numbers of applications at top universities. Admit rates plummeted, and the competition intensified.

“Test optional didn’t make things easier; it made things murkier,” says Cochran. “Without scores, colleges lean more heavily on essays, recommendations, and course rigor — all of which can be subjective. Testing gives students one more way to stand out objectively.”

For many families, testing has become less about checking a box and more about creating options. A strong SAT or ACT score can open doors to merit aid, honors programs, or scholarship opportunities that remain even at test-optional schools.

ACT = The Wild West

If the SAT’s digital transition has brought clarity and consistency, the ACT’s landscape feels more like the Wild West. Policies differ not only between colleges, but sometimes within the same institution depending on the applicant’s major or testing format.

Cornell, for instance, “recommends” ACT Science for STEM applicants while Princeton doesn’t superscore across paper and digital ACTs, and Vanderbilt will superscore across every format (including Science) if it benefits the applicant.

“The message to families is: don’t assume consistency,” advises Ohsie-Frauehoher. “Always check a college’s latest testing policy andclarify how they’ll handle multiple score reports. It’s worth the extra research.”

When deciding between the SAT and ACT it is best to work with a reliable test prep company that offers diagnostic exams such as ArborBridge. The data collected here can guide students to which test will suit their strengths, location, and availability. 

Strategy Is Everything

Given this patchwork of policies, families are realizing that testing is no longer about whether to test  it’s about how to use scores strategically. A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works.

“The biggest mistake we see is students waiting too long to decide whether testing fits their plan,” says Cochran. “Early diagnostics and clear strategy conversations are essential. Even if a student ultimately doesn’t submit scores, knowing their potential gives them control not uncertainty.”

At ArborBridge, that strategy starts with diagnostic testing to understand a student’s strengths and weaknesses across both the SAT and ACT. Using an algorithm that tracks the content a student misses, how often they miss each topic, and how frequently those topics appear on the test, ArborBridge tutors prioritize the highest-impact areas for improvement  where effort translates to the greatest score gain.

The result: a more efficient, personalized prep experience.
For example, if a student struggles with geometry but it represents only 5% of the SAT Math section, their tutor may focus instead on algebra or data analysis concepts that drive a greater overall impact.

Looking Ahead

As colleges continue to recalibrate their policies, experts anticipate another year or two of fluidity before trends settle. Testing will likely remain a valuable if not essential piece of the admissions picture for most selective schools.

“Families shouldn’t chase headlines,” concludes Cochran. “They should focus on clarity. The more a student understands how scores fit into their own goals  for admissions, scholarships, or confidence the stronger their application will be.”

Whether colleges call their policies “optional,” “recommended,” or “contextual,” one truth endures: test scores still matter, especially when used wisely. In a competitive, shifting landscape, information and preparation remain the most powerful tools.

Bottom Line

Testing isn’t going away, it’s evolving.
For some students, it’s the key to differentiation; for others, it’s a strategic backup. Either way, understanding the landscape  and building a plan around it gives families a competitive advantage.

PART 1: College Admissions Testing in 2025: The Insider Scoop

College admissions testing in 2025 is more complex than ever. While headlines often focus on whether schools are “test optional” or “test required,” the truth is more nuanced and changing quickly. At ArborBridge, we’re seeing new trends emerge every month as colleges fine-tune policies, digital testing continues to evolve, and families weigh how to use test scores strategically. Drawing on data from thousands of students and insights from our academic experts, including General Manager and Curriculum Director Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer, we’re breaking down what’s really happening behind the scenes and what students and counselors need to know to stay ahead.

Selective Schools Are Swinging Back

After several years of widespread test-optional policies, many of the nation’s most selective colleges are returning to requiring standardized test scores. Institutions like Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown have announced reinstated testing requirements, citing research that SAT and ACT scores remain strong predictors of student success and persistence. Others, including Harvard and Cornell, have signaled similar discussions are underway.

“We’re seeing a shift from ‘testing is optional’ to ‘testing is informative,’” says Jenny Cochran, Director of Partnerships at ArborBridge. “Colleges want every data point they can get to make nuanced, equitable decisions, especially as grading standards vary widely across schools.”

Still, not all institutions are following the same path. While highly selective private and flagship public universities are swinging back, many regional or mid-tier institutions remain test optional, seeing flexibility as a competitive advantage in attracting applicants.

Strategy Is Everything

Given this patchwork of policies, families are realizing that testing is no longer about whether to test it’s about how to use scores strategically. A one-size-fits-all approach no longer works.

“The biggest mistake we see is students waiting too long to decide whether testing fits their plan,” says Cochran. “Early diagnostics and clear strategy conversations are essential. Even if a student ultimately doesn’t submit scores, knowing their potential gives them control not uncertainty.”

At ArborBridge, that strategy starts with diagnostic testing to understand a student’s strengths and weaknesses across both the SAT and ACT. Using an algorithm that tracks the content a student misses, how often they miss each topic, and how frequently those topics appear on the test, ArborBridge tutors prioritize the highest-impact areas for improvement where effort translates to the greatest score gain.

The result: a more efficient, personalized prep experience.
For example, if a student struggles with geometry but it represents only 5% of the SAT Math section, their tutor may focus instead on algebra or data analysis concepts that drive a greater overall impact.

 PART 2: College Admissions Testing in 2025: The Insider Scoop

Optional Doesn’t Mean Blind

At truly test-optional schools, applicants can choose whether to submit scores but “optional” doesn’t mean “irrelevant.” When strong scores are submitted, they can meaningfully boost an applicant’s chances, particularly in competitive environments.

This is especially true for students at rigorous public or independent schools, where a large percentage of peers are testing and submitting. Admissions officers can easily see that context: if a student chooses not to submit while most classmates do, the omission may subtly shift how their application is read.

“The presence or absence of a score still tells a story,” explains Erin Ohsie-Frauenhofer, General Manager and Director of Curriculum at ArborBridge. “A strong score can affirm what grades and essays already show, a readiness for college-level work. And in some cases, it can fill in gaps where transcripts don’t tell the full story.”

Test Blind Is Still Rare

Only a handful of institutions remain truly test blind — meaning they won’t look at scores at all, even perfect ones. These include the University of California and Cal State systems, Reed College, and a small number of specialized liberal arts or technical programs through at least 2026.

For families, understanding this distinction is critical. “Test optional” and “test blind” are often used interchangeably in headlines, but they mean fundamentally different things. Students applying to UC schools, for example, can’t use strong test scores to offset weaker grades or limited AP access. Meanwhile, students applying to test-optional schools like Boston College or Tulane may gain a measurable edge by submitting.

Myth Bust: Test Optional ≠ Easier Admissions

When test-optional policies became widespread in 2020, many families assumed admissions would become less stressful. The reality? The opposite happened.

Applicant pools exploded. The ease of applying without scores combined with online submissions and Common App simplifications led to record-breaking numbers of applications at top universities. Admit rates plummeted, and the competition intensified.

“Test optional didn’t make things easier; it made things murkier,” says Cochran. “Without scores, colleges lean more heavily on essays, recommendations, and course rigor — all of which can be subjective. Testing gives students one more way to stand out objectively.”

For many families, testing has become less about checking a box and more about creating options. A strong SAT or ACT score can open doors to merit aid, honors programs, or scholarship opportunities that remain even at test-optional schools.

 PART 3: College Admissions Testing in 2025: The Insider Scoop

ACT = The Wild West

If the SAT’s digital transition has brought clarity and consistency, the ACT’s landscape feels more like the Wild West. Policies differ not only between colleges, but sometimes within the same institution depending on the applicant’s major or testing format.

Cornell, for instance, “recommends” ACT Science for STEM applicants while Princeton doesn’t super score across paper and digital ACTs, and Vanderbilt will super score across every format (including Science) if it benefits the applicant.

“The message to families is don’t assume consistency,” advises Ohsie-Frauehoher. “Always check a college’s latest testing policy and clarify how they’ll handle multiple score reports. It’s worth the extra research.”

When deciding between the SAT and ACT it is best to work with a reliable test prep company that offers diagnostic exams such as ArborBridge. The data collected here can guide students to which test will suit their strengths, location, and availability. 

Looking Ahead

As colleges continue to recalibrate their policies, experts anticipate another year or two of fluidity before trends settle. Testing will likely remain a valuable if not essential piece of the admissions picture for most selective schools.

“Families shouldn’t chase headlines,” concludes Cochran. “They should focus on clarity. The more a student understands how scores fit into their own goals for admissions, scholarships, or confidence the stronger their application will be.”

Whether colleges call their policies “optional,” “recommended,” or “contextual,” one truth endures: test scores still matter, especially when used wisely. In a competitive, shifting landscape, information and preparation remain the most powerful tools.

Bottom Line

Testing isn’t going away, it’s evolving.
For some students, it’s the key to differentiation; for others, it’s a strategic backup. Either way, understanding the landscape and building a plan around it gives families a competitive advantage.