The Real Differences Between College Testing Policies: A Tutor’s Guide
Understanding college testing policies has become more complicated over the past few years. Words like test-optional, test-blind, and test-flexible get used frequently, but clients often aren’t sure what each one actually means. The policies sound similar, but they have very different implications for score strategy, testing timelines, and how we guide our students through the admissions process.
Here’s a clear, consistent way to explain these policies to your parents and students, without the admissions jargon, and without adding confusion to an already confusing topic.
Why Tutors Need a Clear Framework for Explaining Testing Policies
Testing policies influence almost every stage of a student’s college planning timeline. When clients misunderstand the terminology, they may end up delaying testing, skipping it altogether, or making score submission decisions that don’t boost their academic profile or support their college goals.
As tutors, we’re often the ones helping students decide when to test, how much to prepare, and whether to submit test scores. To do that effectively, we need to understand the differences between each policy type and be able to explain them in simple, accurate terms.
Let’s go through the different testing policies your clients will encounter when navigating college admissions.
Test-Optional Policy
A test-optional policy means that students are welcome to submit their ACT® or SAT® scores, and if submitted, the college or university will consider that score as part of their application.
What Tutors Should Emphasize:
Strong scores can be an advantage, especially at selective colleges.
Not submitting a score shifts more weight onto GPA, course rigor, essays, and extracurriculars.
Many test-optional colleges still use scores for merit aid, even when scores aren’t required for admission.
Students who apply to a mix of test-optional and test-required schools still need a solid testing plan.
How to Guide Clients: Encourage your students to test early enough to keep their options open. If their ACT®/SAT® score strengthens the application, it’s absolutely worth submitting. If not, test-optional policies give students some flexibility, as long as the rest of their academic profile is strong.
Test-Blind / Test-Free
The policy name may vary between test-blind and test-free, but the definition is the same: colleges with this policy do not review ACT® or SAT® scores for admissions decisions, even if scores are submitted.
What Tutors Should Emphasize: Even though a test-blind /test-free policy refers specifically to admissions, some schools still consider submitted test scores for:
Students applying to a combination of test-blind and test-optional schools may still benefit from submitting strong test scores for these added benefits.
How to Guide Clients: Make sure clients understand that test-blind does not automatically mean students should skip testing. Even if a student applies to a test-blind school, they may still need to take the ACT® or SAT® because other colleges on their list may consider or require those scores.
Test-Flexible Policy
By definition, test-flexible means that students can choose from multiple assessment options to meet the school’s testing requirements. This may include ACT®/SAT® scores, AP exam scores, IB exam results, or other academic indicators. We’ve seen some schools, such as Yale, recently shift from test-optional to test-flexible.
What Tutors Should Emphasize:
Test-flexible requires a submission of test scores.
This policy allows students to submit whichever assessment best reflects their strengths.
Students who excel in AP/IB coursework may have strong alternatives to traditional test scores.
Requirements differ by school, so students should review each college’s specific rules.
How to Guide Clients: Explain how different assessment types reflect different strengths. For students who struggle with test-day performance but excel in advanced coursework, this policy offers a lot of flexibility.
Test-Recommended Policy
Sometimes described as “scores encouraged” or “test preferred,” test-recommended schools do not require ACT®/SAT® scores for admission, but make it clear that submitting a strong score may improve the application or affect scholarships/course placement. Because the label is not always standardized, students should review the school’s policy wording carefully.
Rice University is a great example of a test-recommended school. For college admissions, the school notes, “Starting with the Fall 2024-25 admission cycle, we recommend, but do not require, that students submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of the application process.”
What Tutors Should Emphasize: Treat this type of policy as a signal that testing is highly advisable—not optional in the same sense as “test-optional.”
How to Guide Clients: If a student skips testing, assuming “optional means don’t test,” they could lose an opportunity to strengthen their academic profile or access to aid tied to test scores. Strongly advise your clients to treat test-recommended policies the same as mandatory testing policies.
Score-Only-for-Placement Policy
This policy uses ACT® and SAT® scores for academic placement, course eligibility, or honors program access—but not for admissions decisions. The University of Nevada utilizes this testing policy specifically for math and English placement.
What Tutors Should Emphasize: These policies appear frequently in large public universities. Even if a student skips the test for admissions purposes, they may need scores later for:
Advanced course placement
Fulfilling certain prerequisites
Placement decisions can greatly impact a student’s college experience and timeline.
How to Guide Clients: Explain that testing can still help them once they’re in college. A placement-only policy doesn’t eliminate the value of a strong test score.
Final Takeaways
Test-optional and test-blind are not interchangeable.
Test scores still play a meaningful role at most institutions, regardless of the school’s testing policy for admissions.
Merit scholarships and course placement often still require a submission of test scores.
A clear explanation of what each testing policy means can help clients avoid common college planning mistakes.
Testing early keeps options open, regardless of testing policy shifts.
Testing policies can change. It’s always better to test in case a score is required for admissions, course placement, course prerequisites, or merit scholarship opportunities.
If you want support building consistent testing plans and score strategies for your clients, Clear Choice offers a customizable curriculum, diagnostics, and tools designed specifically for test-prep tutors. If you want to see how everything works together, reach out for a free demo today!