How Adult Learners Can Apply to College Without SAT or ACT Scores

How Adult Learners Can Apply to College Without SAT or ACT Scores

Whether you are beginning college for the first time or returning to complete a degree, standardized tests like the SAT and ACT have historically been part of the admissions process. However, many institutions are adjusting their requirements based on research and feedback from educators, employers, and students. This has opened pathways for learners who prefer to apply without submitting standardized test scores. Below are options and important considerations if you are exploring college admission without taking the SAT or ACT.

What “Test Optional” Admissions Means

A test optional admissions policy allows applicants to decide whether they want to include SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Under such policies, a college will review your application without penalizing you for not submitting test scores, though individual policies can vary from school to school. ⁽¹⁾ Many colleges may also allow applicants to submit scores if they believe the scores enhance their profile, but do not require them.⁽¹⁾

Test Optional and Test Free Policies Are Increasing

Over the past several years, a growing number of colleges and universities have adopted test optional or test free admissions policies. According to FairTest, an organization that tracks these policies, more than 2,000 accredited, bachelor degree granting institutions did not require SAT or ACT scores for fall 2026 admissions decisions.⁽²⁾ This shift reflects a broader trend in higher education admissions practice. More than 2,000 of U.S. four year colleges and universities plan to remain test optional or test free for fall 2025, indicating that these policies are not a temporary trend but a widely adopted approach. ⁽³⁾

Consider Your Application Holistically

If you choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores, you can still strengthen your application in other ways that help admissions advisors understand your readiness for college study:

• Academic Achievement and Transcripts: Emphasize your high school or prior college coursework and grades, which are often strong predictors of college performance.
• Personal Statements or Essays: Many colleges encourage applicants to share their personal story, goals, and motivations for pursuing a degree. This narrative context can help admissions committees understand your background and preparedness.
• Letters of Recommendation: Well written recommendations from teachers, employers, or community leaders can provide insight into your abilities and character.
• Work or Life Experience: Adult learners often have professional experience that can highlight skills like time management, resilience, and problem solving that can be valuable in college settings.

Be Aware of Scholarship Considerations

Some scholarships and merit based financial awards may still use standardized test scores as part of eligibility criteria. Before deciding whether to omit SAT or ACT scores entirely, it is advisable to review scholarship requirements at the colleges you are considering.

Policies vary by institution, and test scores can sometimes enhance eligibility for certain awards or aid opportunities.

Verify Requirements Directly With Institutions

A test optional policy at one college may look different from another. Some institutions may still consider test scores in specific programs, for placement decisions, or for scholarship qualification. Always consult the official admissions website of the college you plan to apply to for the most current and accurate details.

Applying to college without SAT or ACT scores is increasingly feasible for adult learners as institutions adopt more inclusive admission models. These policy changes reflect evolving perspectives on how best to evaluate academic preparedness and expand access to higher education. Whether you choose to submit test scores or not, understanding how test optional policies work and how to present a thoughtful, well rounded application can help support your academic plans.

¹FairTest. (n.d.). What is Test Optional? https://fairtest.org/test-optional (Visited 12/31/2025).

²FairTest. (n.d.). Test Option and Test Free Colleges. https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/ (Visited 12/31/2025).

³FairTest. (2024, February 21). Overwhelming majority of U.S. colleges remain ACT/SAT optional or test blind/score free for fall 2025. https://fairtest.org/overwhelming-majority-of-u-s-colleges-and-universities-remain-act-sat-optional-or-test-blind-score-free-for-fall-2025 (Visited 12/31/2025).

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