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The essay portion of the SAT has a somewhat lengthy and tumultuous history. After all, the very first College Board standardized tests delivered in 1900 were entirely essay-based, but the SAT had dropped all essays from its format by the 1920s and did not reappear again until 2005.

When another redesign of the SAT was announced in 2014, many wondered if the essay, as the most recent addition, would make the cut. The College Board, considering whether to keep it or not, reportedly sought feedback from hundreds of members in admissions and enrollment . Advocates of the essay felt it gave candidates more dimension. Critics believed that the essay was not indicative of college readiness. A review of assessment validity confirmed that the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT “is deeply predictive of college success,” whereas the essay is much less so.

Ultimately, the decision was made to make the essay an optional part of the SAT. This was an innovative move, signaling the first time that the College Board had made any component of the SAT optional.

Furthermore, the essay format has changed as well. Instead of arguing a specific side of a debate or topic presented in the prompt, you will now be asked to analyze a passage for writing style. This prompt is more aligned with the types of critical writing pieces that you can expect to be assigned in college.

As with all things new, the new SAT has taken some getting used to. Students, parents, teachers, and tutors alike have had to adjust to some significant changes in format and content. But the good news is that the new SAT is no longer an unknown variable. The essay in particular is now a well-known and understood piece of the puzzle, with the prompt remaining the same on each administration of the test. The only thing that has changed is the passage to be analyzed.

To learn more about the most significant changes on the SAT, read CollegeVine’s A Guide to the New SAT or review Khan Academy’s video overview of Content Changes to the New SAT .

Do I have to take the SAT with Essay?

As mentioned above, the essay is technically an optional section on the SAT — so no, you are not required to take it. That being said, some colleges or universities do require applicants to submit SAT with Essay scores. If you choose not to take the essay portion of the test, you will not be an eligible applicant for any of these schools. To find the essay policy at schools you’re interested in, use the College Board’s College Essay Policies search feature.

Should I take the optional SAT Essay?

If you are at all unsure of which colleges you’ll be applying to, or you know that at least one of the schools you’re interested in requires the SAT with Essay, you should go ahead and take the essay portion of the test. If you don’t register for the SAT with Essay at first, you can add it later through your online College Board account. Registration for the SAT with Essay costs $57 as opposed to the $45 for the SAT without the optional essay section.

What is the format of the new SAT Essay?

The new SAT Essay is a lot like a typical college or upper-level high school writing assignment in which you’re asked to analyze a text. You’ll be provided a passage between 650 and 750 words, and you will be asked to explain how the author builds an argument to persuade his or her audience. You will need to use evidence from the text to support your explanation. Unlike on past SATs, you will not be asked to agree or disagree with a position on a topic, and you will not be asked to write about your personal experiences.

You will have 50 minutes to read the passage, plan your work, and write your essay. Although this seems like an extremely limited amount of time, it is actually double the time allowed on the SAT Essay prior to March 2016.

The instructions and prompt on the SAT Essay, beginning in March 2016, are always the same. They read:

As you read the passage below, consider how [the author] uses:

• Evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims
• Reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence
• Stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion, to add power to the ideas expressed

These instructions will be followed by the passage that you’re intended to analyze. After the passage, you will see the prompt:

Write an essay in which you explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience of [author’s claim]. In your essay, analyze how [the author] uses one or more of the features listed above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen the logic and persuasiveness of [his/her] argument. Be sure that your analysis focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.

Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade [his/her] audience.

Although you can expect the passages to be different, they will all share some common characteristics. You can expect the SAT Essay to be based on passages that are written for a broad audience, argue a point, express subtle views on complex subjects, and use logical reasoning and evidence to support claims. These passages examine ideas, debates, or trends in the arts and sciences; or civic, cultural, or political life; and they are always taken from published works.

How will my essay be assessed?

Your essay will be assessed in three scoring categories, each of which will be included on your score report. Two people will read your essay and score it independently. These scorers will each award between one and four points in each scoring category. If the scores you receive in a single category vary by more than one point, an SAT expert scorer will review your essay.   

The scoring categories are:

A successful essay shows that you understood the passage, including the interplay of central ideas and important details. It also shows an effective use of textual evidence.

A successful essay shows your understanding of how the author builds an argument by:

• Examining the author’s use of evidence, reasoning, and other stylistic and persuasive techniques
• Supporting and developing claims with well-chosen evidence from the passage

A successful essay is focused, organized, and precise, with an appropriate style and tone that varies sentence structure and follows the conventions of standard written English.

Scores on the SAT Essay range from six to 24. To review a more specific breakdown for each scoring category, see the College Board SAT Essay Scoring Rubric .

Is my essay score always included on my score report sent to colleges?

Yes, your essay scores will always be reported with your other test scores from that day. There is no option to report only specific sections of your score. Even if you use Score Choice to choose which day’s scores you send to colleges, you can never send only some scores from a certain test day. For example, you cannot select to send Math scores but not Writing and Language or Essay scores.

What are the key strategies for the new SAT Essay test?

Remember the prompt.

On test day you will have only 50 minutes to read the passage, plan your analysis, and write your essay. Every minute will count. Because the prompt is the same on each SAT, you can save yourself some very valuable time by remembering exactly what the prompt asks you to do. That way, you won’t have to bother reading it on the day of your test.

Also remember that the prompt is asking only for your analysis. It is not asking you to summarize the passage or state your own opinion of it. Instead, while reading and creating a rough outline, you should focus on restating the main point that the author is arguing and analyzing how that point is made. Use only evidence taken directly from the passage and focus on how the author uses this evidence, reasoning, and other rhetorical techniques to build a convincing argument.

In short, when you begin your essay on test day, you should be able to skip reading the actual prompt and get straight to examining the author’s choices in presenting the argument. You should not waste any time summarizing the content of the passage or stating your own opinion of it.

Create a Rough Outline

When you’re under pressure to create a well-written essay in a limited amount of time, it can be tempting to skip the outline. Don’t fall into this thinking. While an outline may take some time to create, it will ultimately save you time and effort during the actual writing process.

The bulk of the outline you create should focus on the body paragraphs of your essay. You should have three main points you want to highlight, each being a specific method that the author uses to argue his or her point. These could include the use of logic, an appeal to emotions, or the style of diction or tone. As you read, identify the primary ways in which the author supports his or her argument. List the three most relevant methods in your outline, and then briefly cite examples of each underneath.

This very rough outline will shape the bulk of your essay and can ultimately save you the time it would take to remember these details during the actual writing process. 

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Stick to the Standard 5-Paragraph Essay Format

By this point in your high school career, you should have some experience writing a five-paragraph essay. The format is probably already familiar to you. As a refresher, a five-paragraph essay is generally structured like this:

I. Introductory Paragraph

• Give some very basic background about the topic (for example, why the author is writing this piece)
• Restate the author’s argument clearly
• Write a concise thesis statement summarizing three ways in which the author proves his or her point

II. Body Paragraphs

• One body paragraph per method used by the author
• Include two to three specific examples directly from the passage
• Analyze how effective these are

III. Conclusion

• Restate your thesis
• Briefly summarize the effectiveness of the author’s argument

While you may feel that 50 minutes is not enough time to plan and write an entire five-paragraph essay, you are best off keeping each paragraph brief and to the point rather than writing a more detailed essay in a shorter format. Each body paragraph should be only five or six sentences, while your introduction and conclusion can be even shorter if you write them effectively.

Practice Reading and Critiquing Opinion Pieces

The best way to prepare for the type of thinking and analysis required by the SAT Essay is to immerse yourself in reading and critiquing similar opinion pieces. The passage for the SAT Essay will always argue one side of a debate or topic, so other opinion pieces, editorials, and persuasive essays are all similar in content.

Read lots of these to become familiar with the style of writing. As you read, make mental notes of the methods that the authors use to make their points. Recognize patterns in these methods across pieces. For example, you might notice that casual diction is used to create a feeling of communal cause. These are points that you could also use in your analysis on the SAT Essay if they apply to the particular passage you receive.

Be An Active Reader

This will take you right back to your early high school and even junior high years. To be efficient on the SAT Essay, you will need to read closely and carefully in a limited amount of time. Staying engaged in the passage and making effective notations that will aid your analysis are critical.

You are probably familiar with some active reading strategies, and if that’s the case, stick with whatever notation you usually use. There’s no right way to do it, as long as your markings keep you actively engaged in the text and make your writing process easier.

This could include circling or bracketing off the thesis statement as you read. You might underline supporting details or come up with a system to mark for different literary devices (for example, a heart in the margin to denote an emotional appeal). If part of the argument seems unclear, put a question mark in the margin so that you can review it later.

Keep These Key Questions in Mind

It’s easy to get off track when you’re under pressure and rushing to complete a task. These are some good questions to keep in mind to ensure your essay stays on track:

Does the author use facts or logic to support claims? How does he or she do so? Is this effective? Could it be more effective? How so?

Discussing the author’s use of logic — often called an appeal to logos — speaks directly to an audience’s sense of reason. This is a very effective method of persuasion since it will just “make sense” to most readers.

What stylistic rhetorical devices does the author use to support claims?

Another common strategy used by authors involves the style and flow of their words. Does he or she make use of analogies, word repetition, or alliteration? These are all rhetorical devices about which you could write.

How does specific word choice contribute to the overall effectiveness of the piece?

Words are powerful. They can elicit emotions; they can create a sense of common cause; and they can use precision to draw pictures in your mind. What word choices are particularly powerful in the passage? Are there any patterns worth mentioning?

Of course, these are just a few of the many ideas you can use to get started with shaping and organizing your analysis. It’s a good idea to have a handful of possible questions to consider while reading. This will guide your thinking and can definitely help you out if you suddenly draw a blank.  

Study the Glossary

This is the most straightforward way to guide you as you prepare for the SAT Essay. Khan Academy has compiled an official Essay Glossary of key terms for the essay, and having a solid grasp of this vocabulary will allow you to use the correct words to describe the literary devices you discuss. And beyond that, the glossary can help give you some ideas for possible features in analyzing in your writing.

Where can I find free study materials for the SAT Essay?

Because the new SAT Essay was just rolled out in March 2016, there are not tons of resources yet for preparation. Many of the SAT Essay resources were designed before the new test, rendering them obsolete now. As you look for study materials, make sure that anything you use was created after March 2016 to ensure you are getting relevant information.

Some great resources are:

Sample passages and scored essays from the College Board are available for your review. These will give you an accurate idea of the types of passages you can expect to read and how your response will be assessed. These include examples of high-, medium-, and low-scoring student responses to help you gauge the quality of work that is expected.

Khan Academy tutorials are also available to help you prepare specifically for the SAT Essay. These include video overviews and a message board where students share and discuss strategies.

Finally, don’t skip the Khan Academy Essay Glossary as discussed above. Memorizing key terms from this resource will legitimize your response and help shape your thinking.

If you still have questions about the new SAT Writing and Language Test or you are interested in our full-service, customized SAT tutoring, head over to CollegeVine’s SAT Tutoring Program , where the brightest and most qualified tutors in the industry guide students to an average score increase of 140 points.

To learn more about the SAT, check out these CollegeVine posts:

• ACT vs SAT/SAT Subject Tests
• Are PSAT Scores Related to SAT Scores?
• What Should I Bring to My SAT?
• A Guide to the New SAT
• The CollegeVine Guide to SAT Scores: All Your Questions Answered
• How to Register For Your SATs

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All About the SAT Optional Essay

In addition to the four required SAT sections ( Reading , Writing and Language , Math (No Calculator) and Math (Calculator)), you have the choice to opt in to a fifth section: the Essay. To learn more about what you're getting yourself into when you sign up for this additional section, read on!

SAT Essay: An Overview

The optional Essay follows the calculator-permitted Math section or a short, experimental section and is always the final portion of the exam. When you get to the Essay, you'll have 50 minutes to write one rhetorical analysis essay using the provided source text. Your essay will be graded by two human readers, who will each give three scores of 1 to 4 in three areas: Reading, Analysis, and Writing. Your score report will show the combined scores for each separate area (2 to 8), but will not provide an overall composite.

That's a lot of information to unpack, so let's start at the beginning.

If the SAT Essay Is Optional, How Do I Know If I Should Take It?

The primary reason to complete the Essay is because some schools require it for admission. Over the past few years, fewer and fewer schools have required the Essay, and the pandemic has accelerated this trend. However, there are still some schools that recommend you take the SAT Essay, and if you're applying to any of these, it's in your best interest to take (and do well on!) the Essay.

As you start your prep, check the standardized test policies for each of the schools on your list to see whether they require or recommend the SAT Essay. If none of those schools do so, and you're sure you won't be applying to any other schools, then don't take the Essay! If you don't have a list of schools locked down yet, or any of the ones you are thinking about do require or recommend the SAT Essay, then you should take it.

So, What's a Rhetorical Analysis?

The SAT Essay task is to write a "rhetorical analysis" of a given text. This means that you need to explain how the author of the provided text makes her or his argument: What are the elements that contribute to the persuasiveness of the argument, and how do those elements affect the audience? You may have encountered this type of writing before, especially if you've taken AP English Language and Composition (one of the Free Response Questions on that test is very similar to the SAT Essay prompt).

Notably, this task does not require you to give your opinion on the writing in front of you; in fact, the College Board explicitly want you to avoid giving your opinion! Focus on analyzing the devices that the author uses and keep your opinion out of it!

What's up With the Three Scores?

Here's the short and sweet version of all three scores you'll get on the SAT Essay:

• Reading: How accurately you describe the main idea of the text, the major lines of reasoning and the context of the text.
• Analysis: Whether you can 1) identify devices used by the author of the text, 2) describe the impact of those devices on the audience, and 3) tie that impact to how the device makes the author's overall argument more compelling.
• Writing: How well-written your essay is, from the micro-level (grammar and word choice) to the overall structure of your essay.

There is no composite Essay score, as the College Board maintains that colleges should consider the three different scores separately. It's hard to tell exactly which scores the schools you apply to will value most, although it does seem as if the Writing score is the most varyingly used, with some ignoring it. It's still a good idea to aim for top marks in each category, and you can visit the College Board website to learn more about what earns high scores in each field.

Just like the rest of the SAT, the optional Essay is a test for which you can prepare. Pick up a copy of our book, SAT Prep , for access to practice tests and study tips, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for new, weekly content to help you reach your top SAT score.

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Retooling During Pandemic, the SAT Will Drop Essay and Subject Tests

By dropping or suspending the requirement that applicants submit standardized test scores, colleges have cut into the College Board’s business model.

By Anemona Hartocollis Kate Taylor and Stephanie Saul

In the latest sign of trouble for the standardized testing empire that has played a major role in college applications for millions of students, the organization that produces the SAT said on Tuesday that it would scrap subject tests and the optional essay section , further scrambling the admissions process.

The move comes as the testing industry has been battered by questions about equity and troubled by logistical and financial challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

Critics saw the changes not as an attempt to streamline the test-taking process for students, as the College Board portrayed the decision, but as a way of placing greater importance on Advanced Placement tests, which the board also produces, as a way for the organization to remain relevant and financially viable.

“The SAT and the subject exams are dying products on their last breaths, and I’m sure the costs of administering them are substantial,” said Jon Boeckenstedt, the vice provost for enrollment management at Oregon State University.

The main SAT, taken by generations of high school students applying to college, consists of two sections, one for math and the other for reading and writing. But since at least the 1960s, students have also had the option of taking subject tests to show their mastery of subjects like history, languages and chemistry. Colleges often use the tests to determine where to place students for freshman courses, especially in the sciences and languages.

But the College Board said the subject tests have been eclipsed by the rise of Advanced Placement exams. At one point, A.P. courses were seen as the province of elite schools, but the board said on Tuesday that “the expanded reach of A.P. and its widespread availability for low-income students and students of color means the subject tests are no longer necessary.”

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Why The College Board Is Dropping The SAT Subject Tests And Optional Essay

An answer sheet and a pencil are seen on a table (Photo by Rasit Aydogan/Anadolu Agency/Getty ... [+] Images)

When the College Board announced it would no longer offer SAT Subject Tests and the optional SAT essay, it framed the changes as student-centered and equity-driven. It said the changes were a way to “simplify our work and reduce demands on students.” However, according to Bob Schaeffer, interim Executive Director of FairTest , “The College Board is simply acknowledging the economically inevitable.” 

The Board also, as is now par for the course in all College Board announcements, touted the benefits of the AP program as an alternative to the Subject Tests. Compass Prep, the California-based test prep company that first leaked the changes wrote “So was this a compassionate act aimed at simplifying the lives of students? Or was this a pragmatic decision to cut one’s worst losses? It was both.”  

The SAT Subject Tests, which were called Achievement Tests in the 1990s and SAT IIs in the 2000s, were long overdue to be cancelled. Fewer and fewer colleges have required the exams in recent years. Some universities like MIT , that required the tests long after peer universities stopped doing so, no longer consider the tests. Prior to the pandemic, fewer than 5 colleges required Subject Tests for admissions and 12 colleges recommended them. The number of students taking the tests plunged in response to colleges’ policy changes. Some subjects, such as modern Hebrew with only 305, have only a few hundred test takers each year. Since 2010, the number of Subject Tests administered has decreased by about 45%. 

When there are drops in demand, high cost of production, and questions about quality, businesses typically revamp their product lines. The College Board is technically a non-profit organization but operates very much like a corporation that has to protect investors. 

Facing criticism for the cheating scandals , a huge growth in colleges adopting test optional policies , and increasing cost of maintaining 20 different subject tests, it follows that the College Board would discontinue the products with the least viable future. 

Many in the high school community will celebrate the removal of an additional barrier to college admission, no matter what the motivation. Esperanza Borrero, associate director of college counseling at the The Masters School, an independent 5 - 12 school in Westchester, NY said, “The subject exams were already a dying practice with only a few colleges breathing air into their lungs (we all know who you are…) and as a college counselor I only saw them as barriers put in front of candidates, especially if they were from an underrepresented groups or an international students.” 

The discontinuation of the optional essay on the SAT should also not be a surprise to observers of college admissions. The essay was first added to the SAT in 2005 after the University of California system threatened to stop requiring the SAT and instead use only the SAT Subject Test, which it found to be better predictors of college success. The latest change to the SAT may again be largely attributed to announced changes at the University of California, which in 2020 said that it would stop considering the SAT or ACT in admissions . 

The SAT essay was never fully embraced by colleges. When the essay was a required part of the SAT and included in the overall score, from 2005 to 2016, many colleges simply ignored that portion of the score. Even Georgetown University, which is somewhat notorious for its testing requirements, has never considered either the SAT or ACT essays in admission. And from its introduction to today the essay has lost rather than gained favor in admissions offices. 

Much like with the SAT Subject Tests, student practices follow college policies. In 2017, when more colleges required the essay, 70% of SAT test takers took the optional essay. In 2019 - 2020, that number dropped to 57%. The discontinuation of the SAT essay is again a smart strategy for a product that has lost favor. 

Raquel Maysonet-Sigler, School Counselor at Brooklyn Technical High School, a selective public high school with 6,000 students, was excited to hear of the change, saying “SAT or ACT, Subject Tests, AP tests – it’s a testing company dream but a parent and student nightmare. Dropping these tests will be great for students.”

Should You Take the SAT Optional Essay Exam?

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Students registering to take the SAT are immediately confronted with a decision: should they sign up for the optional essay or not? The essay adds 50 minutes to the exam time, and $15 to the cost. It can also add some stress to what is already a rather miserable morning.

So just how important is the SAT optional essay in the college admissions process? As you'll see below, much less important than it used to be.

Does the SAT Optional Essay Matter?

Nationally, fewer than 30 colleges currently require the SAT optional essay, and that number keeps decreasing. Most top schools including all of the Ivy League do not require or recommend the essay, and for most college applicants the essay exam isn't necessary.

The Pre-2016 SAT Essay Section

In 2005, the College Board changed the SAT exam to include a multiple-choice grammar section and a 25-minute essay writing component. This new SAT writing section immediately came under significant criticism because of the short time allowed for writing the essay, and because of an MIT study showing that students could raise their scores by simply writing longer essays and including bigger words.

In the first couple of years after the change in the SAT, very few colleges and universities placed significant (if any) weight on the SAT writing score. As a result, the general impression had been that the SAT writing score didn't matter for college applicants.

That said, a 2008 study by the College Board actually showed that of all the SAT sections, the new writing section was the most predictive of college success. As a result, even though few colleges were happy with the idea of a 25-minute essay, more and more schools gave weight to the SAT writing section as they made their admissions decisions. Some colleges also use the SAT writing score to place students in the appropriate first-year writing class. A high score would sometimes place a student out of college writing altogether.

In general, then, the SAT writing score did matter.

The Change to an Optional Essay

In 2016, the College Board entirely revamped the SAT to make it less about aptitude and more about what students actually learn in school. The exam changed, in fact, to be much more like the ACT, and many believe the change was motivated by the fact that SAT was losing market share to ACT. Along with the changes to the multiple choice exam, the essay section became optional.

The fallout from that change was not what most would have predicted. With the pre-2016 exam, the schools that cared most about the essay section tended to be selective colleges and universities. When the essay became optional, however, the great majority of the nation's most selective schools decided to not require the optional essay, and most don't even recommend the essay.

Colleges that Require the SAT Optional Essay

None of the Ivy League schools require or recommend the essay. Top liberal arts colleges such as Pomona College , Williams College , and Amherst College do not require or recommend the exam. Duke recommends the essay but does not require it.

Indeed, the number of schools that either require or recommend the optional essay section has been dwindling ever since 2016. Some schools still do require the essay, most notably all of the University of California campuses . Most other schools that require the optional essay, however, are not overly selective: DeSales University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M, Molloy College, the University of North Texas, and a handful of other schools. It's quite possible that if the UC system ever drops the SAT essay requirement, the College Board will find there's little point in continuing to offer the exam.

That said, you will definitely want to take the SAT optional essay exam if you are applying to a school that requires it, and it's probably a good idea to take it if any of your top choice schools recommend it. The best place to learn what a college requires or recommends is on the school's website. The College Board has a search tool for identifying college SAT essay policies, but those policies change so regularly that some results will be out of date. You'll also find that many results from a College Board search simply say "contact institution for information."

A Final Word About the SAT Optional Essay

Several years ago, most college admissions advisors would have recommended that you take the optional essay exam if you are applying to selective schools. Today, the essay seems far less essential unless you are applying to a UC campus or about 20 other schools that still require the writing test. For the majority of college applicants, the SAT optional essay is likely to be a waste of time, money, and energy.

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The SAT Optional Essay – To Write or Not to Write

April 2, 2020

By: Jordan Salley

The SAT optional essay is a section designed to test students’ ability to write under strict time constraints. For many, this can be an intimidating concept. After all, almost every student has encountered writer’s block at some point. However, this can be a great opportunity to demonstrate your ability to communicate, create, and build an effective argument. This is a skill set that you will carry throughout your pursuit of higher-level education and is necessary in almost every industry or field.

However, this component is optional for a reason. Many colleges don’t ask to see your score and eliminating this essay out of your practice sessions saves you time, allowing you to focus more on nailing the math and reading sections. On the flipside, if you’re shooting for highly selective schools, an impressive performance on the SAT optional essay might strengthen your profile. To guide you through this component, I’ve talked more about the logistics as well as outlined the pros and cons of opting for the essay.

Let’s talk about the logistics of the SAT optional essay . Your response is graded independently and does not impact the composite score for the test. Two graders analyze the essay across three categories: reading, writing, and analysis, which are scored between one to four. They then average the score between the three graded elements, each of which ranges from two to eight. The reading section evaluates the writer’s understanding of the paragraph provided. The analysis portion assesses you on your ability to make and support claims.

The writing score depends on the clarity of the essay and language choices. You have fifty minutes total to respond to the prompt. The standard approach to writing the SAT optional essay includes:

• Reading the prompt
• Understanding the question
• Writing a thesis or central argument
• Outlining the essay
• Proofreading

The goal is to analyze how an author would build an argument based on the statement or argument listed in the prompt. Now that we’ve discussed the layout of this test, let’s dive into reasons why you should or shouldn’t consider writing this optional essay.

Why you should write the optional essay:

Reason #1: it might not actually be optional.

Over the years, the College Board has changed its policy towards the SAT writing section. With that, universities have also taken to adapting to changes in testing policy. A few programs have started requesting an alternative way to evaluate this skill (e.g. Brown and Princeton requested a graded humanities paper, Harvard will accept a written publication by a student). Though the essay is optional, many undergraduate institutions and scholarships have begun to require it. Moreover, you cannot take the essay separate from the SAT test.

If you have already secured an SAT score that you are satisfied with but realize you need the essay portion, you will have to retake the entire test. This can be a scheduling nightmare, especially as you close in on application deadlines. It is worthwhile to make a list of schools that you’re interested in attending prior to planning for your SAT so that you can look into their policies towards the optional essay. If you are looking at applying to Ivy League or top tier schools, this is almost definitely a required component of your application. Nearly every university requires essays or written exams in a freshman seminar course, so it is natural that schools want to see your writing ability to ensure you would succeed in their academic setting.

Reason #2: An opportunity to shine  

Whether you are a future Pulitzer prize winning author or someone struggling in high school English, the SAT optional essay is a component that most students can study for in order to perform well. This is an extremely technical writing exam and can easily be boiled down to a structure that can be applied to almost any prompt. The majority of test-takers are able to score between the 25 th to 75 th percentile of this portion of the exam even with a small amount of preparation.

This portion of the test is an invaluable opportunity to showcase your ability to synthesize and create within a narrow window of time. It can be used as a comparison to affirm the quality of your college admissions essays. Moreover, it evidences your ability to communicate. Communication is a skill that universities and employers look for and is generally difficult to teach.

Taking an optional section is also a great way to show that you are an individual who is willing to go above and beyond what is asked of you. As a student, this shows a concrete level of drive beyond the qualities that you have described in your admissions essays or that your teachers discussed in your recommendation letters.

Reason #3: An opportunity to overcome a deficiency  

Almost every candidate has a setback at some point in their career. For some students, it is a failed class, a bad score on the advanced placement test, or a weak grade point average. For a student who struggled in an English based course – literature, writing, or grammar – the SAT optional essay is the perfect opportunity to show growth. This section should absolutely be taken by students with a weakness in English as a way to convey to colleges that the deficiency has been overcome. It removes concern that you will not be able to keep up with writing requirements that most college freshman face. It also shows grit and determination, which are necessary skills to carry into your undergraduate education.

Reason #4: Your school requires it to super score  

Super scoring is a practice that allows college applicants to combine their most competitive section scores from multiple SAT exams. Some universities may require the SAT optional essay in order to super score. This is another factor to take into consideration when reviewing your list of schools to apply to. Super scoring can allow you to advance your application to the top of the pile statistically. If this is applicable to you, I highly recommend taking this optional section in order to secure your ability to super score.

Why you shouldn’t write the optional essay:

Reason #1: you did not prepare.

There are a number of reasons to take the SAT optional essay . However, preparing for this section of the exam does require additional time and effort. I personally recommend my students work on writing prompts multiple times throughout the week leading up to their SAT date. The more prompts a student practices writing, the easier it will be to develop an argument in a short period of time on test day. There are a number of preparation books, and a simple Google search yields a number of prompts to get you started.

Ultimately, the first time you sit down to write the SAT essay should not be on test day. This is a difficult process if you have never completed writing an essay like this in fifty minutes and could result in a poor score. If you do not have adequate time to prepare for this section or do not feel that you will perform well based on your estimated scores, I would not recommend taking it.

Reason #2: None the schools you are applying to require the SAT Essay section  

If you plan to apply to schools and scholarships that do not require the SAT optional essay , it may not be worth spending the extra money. The addition of the essay costs $14 more. Notably, this cost can be eliminated if you qualify for a fee waiver. I would not let cost be your determining factor on taking this section, but it is something to keep in mind.

While there are arguments for or against taking the optional essay section of the SAT, the pros tend to outweigh the cons. Planning on doing this section of the test sets you up on a successful timeline for college applications. Scheduling an additional test if you end up needing the essay could be a difficult and stressful process. Including the additional essay also opens opportunities to apply to schools that require it should you decide to add schools later on in the application process.

In addition, it provides you with an opportunity to overcome a deficiency such as a failed class or a low grade. It allows you to super score your tests at some institutions. Ultimately, this can be a great opportunity to shine and show undergraduate universities another skill set that makes you a desirable candidate. Strong writing abilities are applicable in almost every field or industry. The hard work in preparing for college applications will serve you well in the long run. Best of luck!

About the Author

Jordan Salley is a senior test prep instructor for MyGuru, a boutique tutoring company. For more information on SAT prep, MyGuru’s approach, and SAT tutors, visit https://www.myguruedge.com/sat-tutoring .

Tags : SAT practice , SAT prep , SAT tips , SAT optional essay , should i write the sat optional essay , SAT essay tips

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In a first, U.S. students will take the SAT entirely online (no pencils required)

Elissa Nadworny

Efi Chalikopoulou for NPR hide caption

The SAT, a college admissions exam that for nearly a century was completed using paper and pencil, is now officially all-digital.

This week, students in the U.S. will begin taking the new SAT on their own devices — including a tablet or a laptop — or on school devices. The test is also one hour shorter (down from three hours), has shorter reading passages and uses digital tools, like a highlighter, a graphing calculator and a bookmark to go back to skipped questions.

The revamped test, which ditches the paper and pencil, aims to make cheating harder and grading easier.

Students will still take the exam at a test center or at a high school.

"Today's students, they do a lot of their living digitally, they do a lot of their learning digitally and they do a lot of their test taking digitally," says Priscilla Rodriguez, who oversees the SAT for the College Board, the organization behind the test.

Dartmouth will again require SAT, ACT scores. Other colleges won't necessarily follow

She says in focus groups the College Board conducted, students said they felt more confident and more natural taking tests on a digital device. "They were kind of telling us in so many words, 'You're a little behind us at this point, actually. Can you please catch up?' "

A digital SAT isn't a big leap for many students

Throughout March and April, the College Board expects more than 1 million students to take the new digital SAT. Students can take the exam on Saturday test dates or during SAT School Days, where participating high schools offer the test to upperclassmen free of charge during the school day.

Stephany Perez, a high school junior from Houston, says the transition to online is "not that significant."

"We're so used to being on our laptops, like it's something we do on the regular, in every class."

SAT Discontinues Subject Tests And Optional Essay

Perez has been prepping for the online version in school, using test prep material from CollegeSpring, a nonprofit that partners with high school teachers.

She says she's still nervous and anxious for the test, because she feels a lot of pressure to do well. "It's a very important test," she says. "It dictates what's going to happen for your college life."

She's taking the test Tuesday morning at her high school using school laptops.

This isn't the first time the College Board has administered a digital exam. International students took a digital-only SAT in 2023, and a digital-only PSAT was given to younger U.S. high school students last fall.

Students will take the digital exam on Bluebook, an app that was built in-house by the College Board. Schools were given time ahead of testing dates to download the app onto their devices. Internet access is key to start the test, though Rodriquez says it requires very little bandwidth during the test and is designed to autosave locally, so students won't lose work or time if they lose their internet connection.

The SAT and ACT still hold power in admissions

All this comes as the relevance of the SAT and ACT, another college entrance exam, is being called into question in the college admissions process. More than 1,800 U.S. colleges are not requiring a test score for students applying to enroll in fall 2025, according to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing. But in recent weeks, some elite private colleges, including Brown University and Dartmouth College , have reinstated the test requirement, saying it provides helpful context for the admissions process.

Perez would be the first in her family to go to college in the U.S. She says, "I know a lot of schools say that they're test optional," but when she looked up colleges she was interested in, she found they still listed average SAT scores on their websites.

What to know about Florida's 'classic' alternative to the SAT

"So you do have to care," she says, "because [colleges] might still be looking at them, even if they say they're test optional."

Even with many schools trying to de-emphasize the exams, Rodriquez, of the College Board, says the SAT can still be an important piece of a larger admissions puzzle.

"[The SAT] can give any student a way to show what they've learned in a standardized way, and that's especially important when other parts of the college application, things like extracurricular activities and essays, are more easily influenced by parental wealth."

The SAT and ACT are also still deeply ingrained in the American high school experience. Many states require one of the exams to graduate, and several states have contracts with the College Board to offer the test during the school day for free to their students.

Before this new digital format, the SAT had already gone through several changes. In 2014, the College Board revealed it would drop its penalty for wrong answers, make the essay portion optional and remove the obscure vocabulary section. And in early 2021, the organization announced it would discontinue the optional essay component of the SAT, as well as the subject tests in U.S. history, languages and math, among other topics.

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College Application Glossary

By UM Admission 08-08-2024

ACT - A standardized college admission test. It features four main sections: English, math, reading, science, and an optional essay section.

Application Portal  - The online space to keep track of your application and materials after submitting the Common App.

Binding - A binding application (see Early Decision I and II), means you are committed to attending that school, and will withdraw any applications you may have submitted for the regular deadlines at other schools.

CSS Profile -  The College Scholarship Service Profile is an online application that helps colleges and scholarship programs award non-federal financial aid to students.

Cognate -  A set of at least three related courses. Students take one cognate in each of the three areas of knowledge: Arts and Humanities; People and Society; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This is general education at UM.

Common Application -  A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You can fill out the Common App once and submit it to any one or several of colleges that accept it (UM being one of them!).

Common App Essay -  The primary writing sample that applicants submit to colleges that use the Common Application as part of their undergraduate admission process. Some colleges may require additional essays (see Supplemental Essay).

Cost of Attendance (COA) -  A total estimate of billable charges for tuition, room, and board as well as additional expenses for books, supplies, and some personal needs.

Deferred Admission -  A decision indicating that the Office of Undergraduate Admission needs more time to review an application. Deferred applicants may wish to submit new academic information for the next round of consideration.

Deferred Enrollment  -  Admitted first-year students who have submitted their nonrefundable enrollment deposit may submit a request to postpone their matriculation to the University of Miami for a period of up to one academic year.

Demonstrated Need  -  The difference between the Cost of Attendance and the Expected Family Contribution. This is the amount your financial aid offer will be designed to cover.

Early Action (EA) -  An option to submit a non-binding application to your first-choice school before the regular deadline.

Early Decision I (EDI)  -  An option to submit a binding application to your first-choice school before the regular deadline.

Early Decision II (EDII) -  Another option to submit a binding application to your first-choice school before the regular deadline.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)  -  Amount of money a student’s family is responsible for paying toward the Cost of Attendance as determined by the University. This amount is based on the family income and asset information provided on the FAFSA and CSS Profile.

FAFSA -  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It determines if you qualify for federal financial assistance with tuition.

Financial Aid -  Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. It might also include work-study assistance.

Financial Aid Deadline - F or any applicant interested in applying for Financial Aid. All applicants must complete the CSS Profile. The FAFSA is only required for domestic and applicants. Applicants will receive an estimated financial aid offer with the admission decision. Confirmed financial aid offer will be provided after final FAFSA review.

Financial Aid Offer  - The aid package offered to cover the cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution which may include scholarships, state and/or federal grants, work-study, institutional aid, and/or Federal Direct Subsidized Loans.

Final Credentials Deadline -  The date that all supporting documents listed on the Application Checklist in your Applicant Portal must be on file for consideration. This is also the deadline to change your major for a major in another school or college.

First-Year Student -  A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. If you are considering applying to the University of Miami as a first-year student, check out our application requirements .

Holisitic Review -  The Office of Undergraduate Admission’s review process by which each application is considered. We consider every aspect of your application. Beyond transcripts and test scores, we carefully examine your extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal statements to understand your potential for success.

In-State -  An applicant who is a resident of the state of Florida; may be eligible for state financial aid and/or grants.

Letter of Recommendation  - A short document, usually written by a teacher or counselor, that highlights an applicant's strengths and potential contributions to a school.

Regular Decision (RD) - The final deadline to submit your application. It is non-binding.

SAT - The College Board’s standardized college admission test. It features three main sections: math, reading and writing, which includes a written essay.  

School Report - A document submitted by a high school guidance counselor to provide the Office of Undergraduate Admission the context needed to review transcripts.

Honors and Scholars Programs  - Invite-only programs that offer students even smaller class sizes than usual, unique disciplinary crossovers, and access to additional resources for research and internships. Applicants are automatically considered for special programs, there is no additional application required. The four programs are: the Advanced Program for Integrated Science and Math (PRISM) Honors Program, the da Vinci Honors Program, the Foote Fellows Honors Program, and the Health Professions Mentoring (HPM) Program.  

Student Aid Index  - The new name of Expected Family Contribution (EFC) used in the needs-analysis calculation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the form used by colleges, states, and other scholarship providers that can be included in financial aid packages.

Supplemental Essay  - A n optional or required writing supplement that some colleges include in their applications to help the admissions committee better understand an applicant. See our supplemental essay prompt .

Supplemental Materials - Additional components required for some programs like the School of Architecture, Frost School of Music, or the Theatre Arts BFA. These requirements may include an audition, a portfolio, etc.

Transcript  - The official record of your coursework at a school or college. Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission, and for some financial aid packages or scholarship applications.

Transfer Student  -  A student who enrolls in a college after having attended another college. Before transferring, check with your current and future colleges to find out which credits will transfer. If you are considering applying to UM as a transfer student, check out our admission requirements .

Waitlist - A list of competitive applicants who can be offered admission if enough admitted applicants choose not to enroll.

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Is the SAT Optional?

As you research colleges and universities and consider their admissions requirements, you’ll inevitably notice that many schools require you to submit your SAT scores as part of your application. Admissions staff often consider your standardized test scores to confirm your GPA or to determine whether you demonstrate strengths beyond what your high school transcripts can reveal. And according to the College Board, which administers the SAT, the exam specifically assesses the knowledge you’ve learned in reading, writing, and math—skills that also help measure how prepared you are for college and career.

Given its purpose, it’s no wonder that colleges and universities have been requiring the SAT for decades. But as you peruse school websites and the brochures you collected at college fairs, you might also notice a term pop up when it comes to SAT scores: test optional. But what does test optional mean? Is taking the SAT itself optional, or does it mean submitting your scores is optional? Are standardized tests optional for every applicant or just specific individuals? And is the SAT optional in reality, or are students who submit their scores secretly more likely to be admitted than those who don’t? 

Here’s what you need to know so you can decide whether the SAT should be part of your college application process.

The SAT Is Not Always Optional

More than 1,800 accredited colleges and universities that issue bachelor’s degrees—meaning more than half of such institutions—offer test-optional or even test-free admissions. But that still means a hefty number of colleges do require the SAT . As we’ll discuss below, the best way to determine whether the college you’re applying to requires the SAT is to check their admissions website or connect with their admissions staff.

Before we move into the nitty-gritty of colleges that are test optional and what that means for you, remember that the SAT is generally not required if you are applying to a community college or a trade school after high school. Community colleges usually have open admissions, meaning that the only criterion for acceptance is earning your high school diploma or earning your GED. Trade schools may require you to take a placement exam, but not the SAT, which is primarily a test of skills you’d use at a school that issues bachelor’s degrees.

Some test-optional schools may not require the SAT as part of your application but still require you to submit your scores to determine which courses you should be placed in (e.g., which level of math you should take as part of your general-education credits) or for the purposes of their own institutional research. Alternatively, some schools require you to participate in an interview with an admissions counselor or submit substitute materials, such as additional recommendation letters or samples of your academic work, if you choose not to submit your SAT scores. So be sure to read each college’s admissions policy carefully. 

Also be aware that even if you’re applying only to colleges that are test optional, there are 20 states that currently require you to take the SAT to graduate from high school ; the existence of test-optional college admissions will not exempt you from that graduation requirement.

What Does Test-Optional Admissions Really Mean?

The term test optional refers to college admissions policies that allow you to choose whether to submit your SAT results with your application —your test scores are optional rather than mandatory. If you apply to a school that is test optional, you can take the test but choose to withhold your scores if you’re unhappy with your performance or don’t feel they accurately reflect your abilities. Or you can choose to submit your SAT results, and the admissions office will consider your scores as part of your application.

(Of course, if you are applying to only test-optional schools, you could potentially even decide not to take the SAT at all. But before you start doing celebratory somersaults because you relish the idea of never taking the exam, read on to make sure it’s the right path for you.)

You may also see some undergraduate institutions offering something called test-free or test-blind admissions . This means the university will not consider your standardized exam scores even if you submit them. Currently, only around 80 institutions offer this policy, including schools in the University of California and California State University systems. Meanwhile, test-flexible colleges are those that allow you to choose among the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams to fulfill their admissions requirements.

Why Are Schools Offering Test-Optional Admissions?

Test-optional admissions became much more popular during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, when SAT administration shut down in the wake of lockdowns and health protocols. But more than 1,000 colleges and universities were already offering the policy. So what’s been inspiring colleges to provide this alternative?

Test-optional policies are often touted as a way to make college admissions fairer and more equitable. They are intended to open access to students who have lower test scores but otherwise strong applicants — in short, students whose strengths are not reflected in their SAT performance. Many universities want to admit a more diverse pool of students, and critics have long argued that the SAT discriminates against specific groups , such as low-income students and BIPOC, and that standardized test scores often reflect the test-takers’ financial backgrounds and access to resources rather than their academic abilities.

Many education experts also believe that standardized tests do not accurately predict whether students are prepared for the rigors of college or will be successful all the way to graduation; they support relying on other factors, such as high school grades, recommendation letters, extracurricular participation or leadership, and responses to short-answer and essay prompts to assess applicants’ potential.

Who Can Take Advantage of Test-Optional Policies?

If a college offers a test-optional policy, it usually applies to all or most of its applicants. Still, many schools restrict which students are allowed to go test optional. Some universities, for example, require that international, out-of-state, and/or homeschooled students submit their SAT scores. At other institutions, applicants are exempt from submitting their scores only if they meet a minimum GPA or have placed above a specific class rank (e.g., in the top 5% or 10% of their graduating class). 

Because these policies vary so widely, make sure to read each school’s test-optional policy carefully to determine whether you’re eligible.

Is the SAT Optional at the Colleges I’m Applying To?

You can find updated lists of schools that offer test-optional admissions online; just be sure that you’re looking at the most recent version of these lists because schools can change their admissions requirements from year to year. For example, more than 1,400 colleges have committed to making their test-optional policy permanent. Others have opted in only temporarily (e.g., for one to three years). Still other universities are returning to requiring the SAT, such as MIT, and several colleges have never offered the test-optional policy.

Another useful resource that’s fairly comprehensive and updated frequently is the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, or FairTest , which categorizes the current list into test-optional and test-free institutions. You can easily search their list for schools you’re interested in, find links to each college’s application requirements, and learn how long they’ve publicly committed to offering test-optional admissions. It’s a convenient site to look up multiple schools at once.

Ultimately, though, you should check with the colleges themselves, either by consulting their admissions pages or connecting with their admissions staff and asking, “Are SAT scores required for the class of 2023?” or “Is the SAT optional for the class of 2024?” That way, you’ll always have the latest, most accurate information on whether they require that you submit your exam scores.

Is the SAT Optional at Top-Tier Schools?

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost all of the most prestigious schools in the U.S., including Ivy League schools and public Ivies , required the SAT for admission. But in 2022–2023, top universities such as Boston University, Brown, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale were test optional. Other selective schools, such as Columbia, Cornell, and Stanford, will continue their test-optional admissions at least through the 2023–2024 school year, and Harvard has already announced that they will extend its current test-optional policy through 2026.

You might also notice that a large number of top-ranking liberal arts colleges and research universities no longer require the SAT for admission . So again, if you’re planning to apply to one of these universities, it’s best to check their admissions website or contact their admissions officers to confirm their most up-to-date requirements.

Will I Be Penalized If I Don’t Submit My Scores?

You might be wondering whether the test-optional option is a trick of some kind. Maybe you’re thinking that you’ll be less likely to be admitted if you don’t submit your scores even though the university says they’re not required.

Rest assured: it’s not a trick. You will not be penalized for not submitting your SAT scores to a test-optional college. Schools are simply offering you the opportunity to curate your application according to your strengths. If you choose not to submit your SAT results, you will not be at a disadvantage compared with other applicants.

That said, a strong SAT score is evidence of your preparedness for college, so you should still weigh the pros and cons of submitting your scores to test-optional schools carefully , which we’ll discuss below.

6 Reasons to Take the SAT Even If It’s Optional

Deciding whether to take advantage of a school’s test-optional admissions policy can be tough, and the answer depends on your individual circumstances. Let’s start with reasons you should take the SAT and submit your scores even though you’re applying to a test-optional college.

The College Recommends You Submit Your Scores

Some schools that are test optional will outright recommend that you still submit your SAT results. That’s because many admissions counselors still prefer to see them as part of a student’s application . If that’s the case, take the obvious hint: register for and take the test, aim high, and submit your scores. Some education insiders will tell you that it’s also best to study hard, earn strong scores, and submit your SATs to Ivy League colleges and public Ivies even if they’re test optional just to improve your chances of getting in.

You’re a Terrific Test Taker

You might also guess rightly that if you perform reliably well on standardized tests, you should definitely take the SAT. High scores can only boost your chances of being admitted.

Earning a stellar score on the exam can also earn you scholarships and other merit-based aid , from full-ride awards to small grants. Many of these financial awards require the SAT, and you don’t want to lose out on the opportunity to win hundreds to thousands of dollars to offset tuition and other costs by not taking the exam. It’s always a good idea to start thinking about applying for scholarships early, but even if you don’t, taking the SAT just in case will mean you’re playing it safe.

Your Scores Are Within the College’s Middle Range for Previously Admitted Students

This might come as a surprise, but even average scores can be a boon to your application , especially since universities consider your scores as just one part of your application—and because admissions staff will sometimes consider whether your scores are high relative to other students who attend your school or live in your city, state, or region. So how do you know which score to shoot for? Most colleges list the scores earned by the middle 50% of each incoming class of first-year students on their websites; look for them on the university’s admissions or quick facts pages. If you earn a score within or above that stated range, go ahead and submit your SAT results.

Even if you’ve struggled before with standardized tests, consider studying for and taking the SAT anyway; you may surprise yourself with higher-than-expected scores if you prepare well and at the right time. Remember that if you end up with a lower score, you can always choose not to submit your results—or, if you’re enough in advance of application deadlines, you can study and take the test again.

Your Grades Are Not Quite Up to Snuff

If your GPA is lower than what’s required by the colleges you’re applying to, working hard to earn a high SAT score can help you offset your grades and strengthen your application . An above-average to exemplary test result can prove to admissions crews that you are ready for the rigors of academic coursework in college, regardless of what’s on your transcript.

And as many high school students can attest, raising your SAT score is often easier than improving a less-than-stellar GPA. After all, you’re focusing on studying for a single exam rather than trying to raise your grades in every class you’re taking.

Your Intended Major or Honors Program Requires It

Even if a college or university is test optional, honors programs and certain degree programs within that school, especially if they’re competitive, can still require applicants to achieve a specific SAT score to be admitted to that major . If you already know which major you’ll be pursuing, be sure to check out that department’s website for their eligibility requirements. 

For that same reason, if you’re unsure of which course of study you want to pursue, take the test. That way, you’ll have your scores tucked away in your back pocket (well, in your SAT portal anyway) when the time comes to apply to your degree program.

You Want A Greater Choice of Colleges

Taking the test doesn’t just expand which degree programs you’ll be eligible for; it also expands your college options . If, for example, you discover a school that really excites you later in your research process, but it turns out that they require the SAT for admissions, you don’t want to lose the opportunity of being considered just because you’ve not studied for or taken the exam.

So make sure to research colleges’ admissions policies for your incoming class year no later than September of your junior year. If the university does not yet list its requirements for the year you’ll be applying, call the admissions office and ask if the SAT will be optional or not. If for some reason you can’t be certain that the school will be test optional the year you’re applying, study effectively and take the test so you’ll be prepared in case the university starts requiring the SAT again.

4 Reasons Not to Submit Your SAT Scores

Now that we've covered reasons you should complete the SAT even if you’re applying to test-optional colleges, let's consider reasons you should not submit your results.

Your SAT Scores Are Lower

SAT scores are just one aspect of your college application; admission counselors also consider factors such as your GPA, the academic rigor of your high school coursework, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, recommendation letters, and writing samples. So if your SAT scores are underwhelming (it happens to even the best of us!) and you can’t afford the time, money, or effort to improve your performance by having another go, take advantage of the test-optional policy and don’t submit your scores.

Low scores are nothing to be ashamed of; test anxiety or other factors beyond your control can certainly affect your performance. But those low scores can definitely hurt your chances of getting admitted, so it’s best to omit them from your application. Just make sure that your grades, community service, and other accomplishments will serve as convincing evidence of your potential because these will be reviewed more closely in the absence of your SAT results.

You Performed Better on Other Exams

You might also choose not to submit your SATs if your scores are better on other standardized tests, such as the ACT, AP Exams, or IB assessments . In that case, share those scores instead with test-optional and test-flexible schools to improve your chances of getting admitted.

You’re Eligible for Automatic Admission Because of Your Class Rank or GPA

Some universities, such as public colleges in Texas, grant automatic admission to in-state students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. If you’re applying to schools where you are guaranteed admission because of your class rank or GPA, you can probably omit sending your SAT scores—unless, of course, your test performance will be used to evaluate your candidacy for scholarships and merit-based financial aid or to determine your course placement. Again, it’s always best to check and then double-check the admissions requirements to be certain.

You're Unable to Take the SAT

Many schools went test optional because of the pandemic; similarly, if you are unable to take the SAT for any reason, including illness, injury, physical impairment, severe test anxiety, or inability to reach designated testing locations, take advantage of test-optional policies. Focus instead on strengthening the other parts of your application.

As you might recall, one of the reasons many universities began offering test-optional policies is that lower-income students were disadvantaged whereas more affluent students could afford to purchase test-prep classes and individual tutoring or take the test multiple times to improve their scores. If the SAT registration fees are outside your budget, applying only to test-optional colleges and simply not taking the test is one possibility. However, keep in mind that the College Board offers fee waivers to certain students . If you’re eligible, you can actually submit your test scores to as many colleges as you choose, regardless of whether they’re required. Our guide on fee waivers provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

OK, I’ve Decided to Take the SAT — What Do I Do Now?

Once you’ve researched the test requirements for the colleges you’re applying to and weighed whether to take advantage of any test-optional policies, you may decide to take the plunge and register for the SAT. If that’s the case , you’ll want to start preparing and practicing effective test-taking strategies.

On testing day, breathe, do your absolute best, and try not to obsess about your scores. Remember that SAT results can be an important part of your application, but if you’re applying to test-optional schools, you’ll have the power to choose not to submit your scores if you’re not proud of them, and no one will be the wiser! And even if you do submit your scores and they’re not a 1600, take heart that admissions counselors know how to review applications in a holistic way ; they’ll be looking at your grades, your college essay, your extracurricular involvement, and your recommendations too.

As the trend toward test-optional (and test-flexible and test-blind) policies suggests, enrollment professionals recognize that an SAT score does not reflect your worth as an individual or provide a comprehensive prediction of how well you’ll do in college. So try your hardest, and when it comes time to choose whether to submit your scores, you can decide what’s best for you.

What’s Next

Even among universities that are not test optional, there's some variation in how they look at your scores. Find out what it means when colleges superscore the SAT , and explore how you should adapt your test-prep plans accordingly.

Trying to decide whether to take the SAT or ACT? Read our expert guide on the ACT vs. SAT to learn how the two tests differ so you can choose the one that works best for you.

Ready to sign up for the SAT? Here’s everything you need to know about SAT registration . 

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Meilee Bridges earned her PhD and MA in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and graduated summa cum laude from the Honors English Program at Trinity University. A former professor turned professional writer and editor, she is dedicated to supporting the educational goals of students from all backgrounds.

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We enroll an incoming class of highly qualified, intellectually curious and actively involved students who have demonstrated high levels of maturity and personal integrity as well as a commitment to serving their communities.

To achieve this, we practice a holistic admission review process, which takes into account a variety of primary academic factors and secondary factors as they relate to your ability to be successful in our competitive academic environment. While admission is competitive, you will be considered on an individual basis relative to a prediction of your academic success in the college to which you apply.

Academic Rigor

The primary factor in admission decisions is your academic achievement. CU Boulder focuses on your classroom performance in core academic courses, the rigor of your course selection and your GPA. SAT and ACT will not be required when applying to CU Boulder. CU Boulder has, and will continue to, review via a holistic assessment of each application with all of the information that is available.

International Students

International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements.

Review Requirements by Country

The grades you have earned while in high school or secondary school play the most important role in determining your competitiveness for admission to the University of Colorado Boulder.

Since there are many different grading scales and weighting methods, we use the total weighted GPA provided by your graduating high school, using a standard 4.00 scale. GPAs that are not on a 4.00 scale are converted accordingly.

If your high school does not provide a weighted GPA but provides a total unweighted GPA, we will use your total unweighted GPA on a standard 4.00 scale. If your high school does not provide a GPA or the GPA provided does not include all completed high school courses, we will recalculate the GPA according to the grading scale in use at your high school at the time the course was completed. When recalculating a GPA, we will not add weight for honors, AP and/or IB curricula because there is not a standard format for the designation or grading scale for these courses. However, we do consider the number of honors, AP and/or IB courses a student takes when determining the rigor of their overall curriculum.

Class Selection

Academic rigor in your course selection is also a primary factor that we consider. To be competitive, challenge yourself by pursuing the most rigorous courses available that are appropriate to your level of ability.

The number of courses taken beyond the minimum recommendation of 17—as well as those designated as advanced, honors, gifted, concurrent enrollment, dual-enrollment, AP or IB —will be considered in the admission process.

First-year students applying to undergraduate programs are strongly encouraged to meet the following Higher Education Admission Recommendations (HEAR) . Students may be admitted to CU Boulder even though they have not completed all of the HEAR courses. There are no consequences if HEAR is not met. However, not completing HEAR might result in taking additional courses to meet the CU Boulder graduation requirements of individual majors. International students with four or less semesters of U.S. schooling should refer to their country's specific requirements .

Please note: a challenging schedule will not outweigh a non-competitive GPA, as your grades ultimately remain the single most important factor in your admission decision. Additionally, any grades of D or F on your transcript—especially in your junior or senior year—would be cause for concern and should be addressed in your application.

Standardized Tests

ACT or SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to take your scores into consideration when reviewing your application. You will indicate on the Common App whether you plan to submit standardized test scores. If you choose to submit scores, please ensure that we have received them by the relevant application deadline so that your application will not be considered late.

First-Year Applicant FAQs

English Proficiency Requirements for International Students

In addition to our general admission requirements, all international applicants are also required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency. International students who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible for conditional admission.

Review English Proficiency Requirements

Beyond Academics

While academics and test scores play a large role in your admission decision, we want students who are actively involved in their schools and communities. We place importance on secondary factors beyond academic achievement to assess the overall qualities of an applicant. 

What makes you stand out? Be thoughtful and use your required essays and your letter of recommendation to highlight your school and community activities, leadership positions and awards, participation in athletics or music, work experience, summer activities and special circumstances. Please note: we do not accept or use portfolio or audio/video submissions in our admission process.

Personal Essays

Your personal essays give you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself. They provide insight into your challenges and triumphs in a way that transcripts and test scores simply cannot.

When reading your essays, we are looking for sincerity and authenticity. It’s easy to tell when a student’s essay is something they care deeply about, compared to a student who writes what they think we want to hear. A funny or interesting story doesn’t hurt, either!

There is one essay and one short answer required for first year applicants. As you write your essay and short answer, consider reflecting on challenges that you've overcome, your family or cultural heritage, your academic or co-curricular achievements or specific moments that have defined your character. There are no 'correct' answers to these questions; your responses should reflect the unique aspects and experiences of your life.

What we are looking for:

• Be yourself. Open up to us and write about something that is meaningful to you.
• Be specific. Give examples and tell stories to make your points.
• Be honest. We are interested in your journey—even if it hasn’t always been perfect.
• Be clear. Effective writing and communication skills are expected.

Letter of Recommendation

Just like your essays give you the chance to tell us more about you, a letter of recommendation gives someone else the opportunity to speak to your academic strengths and co-curricular involvement.

This is the one chance in your application where we get to learn about you from someone other than you, so choose someone who knows you well. Many students ask a teacher or school counselor to write their letter of recommendation.

Suggested topics:

• Student’s academic ability and college readiness
• Student’s overall performance in class and attitude
• Why the student would be a good fit for CU Boulder

Admitted Student Averages

Credentials based on the middle 50% of 2024 admitted first-year students. High School GPAs are weighted and may represent self-reported GPAs. SAT/ACT scores reflect the middle 50% score range for students who requested test scores be considered in their application review. For the 2024 first-year application, SAT/ACT scores are not required and we take a holistic approach when reviewing your application.  

Weighted High School GPA: 3.74 - 4.23

SAT Total: 1290 - 1460 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 34

College of Arts & Sciences

Weighted High School GPA: 3.70 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1270 - 1440 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 33

College of Engineering & Applied Science

Weighted High School GPA: 3.97 - 4.42

SAT Total: 1360 - 1500 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 31 - 34

College of Media, Communication & Information

Weighted High School GPA: 3.54 - 4.06

SAT Total: 1220 - 1380 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 28 - 32

College of Music

Weighted High School GPA: 3.71 - 4.20

SAT Total: 1290 - 1470 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 33

Leeds School of Business

Weighted High School GPA: 4.0 - 4.36

SAT Total: 1360 - 1450 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 30 - 34

Program in Environmental Design

Weighted High School GPA: 3.62 - 4.17

SAT Total: 1270 - 1410 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 29 - 32

School of Education

Weighted High School GPA: 3.40 - 3.99

SAT Total: 1160 - 1330 Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing

ACT Composite: 26 - 31

Credit for Course work or Exams

Students applying to CU Boulder have the opportunity to earn college credit before enrollment. CU Boulder accepts credit from AP/IB exams, A-Level exams, college course work taken concurrently while in high school and limited CLEP credit. Earning college credit while in high school is a great way to help offset some of your estimated cost of attendance. Students are highly encouraged to explore credit for course work options while in high school. For more information on how credit is transferred to CU Boulder and what credit can be accepted please see the links below.

Official Advanced Placement (AP) scores must be sent to the admissions office directly from the College Board. CU Boulder's CEEB/ETS code is 004841.

Review the Advanced Placement Chart

For A-level examinations from an international examining board to be considered for transfer credit, the student must submit an official copy of the examination result, either by submitting the original certificate upon arrival on campus (University of Colorado Boulder will make and keep a copy as official, returning the original to the student), or through verification of results between the Office of Admissions and the examinations board. Methods of approved verification are below.

• AQA : Student must request verification by emailing [email protected] (add 'Verification' in the subject box) and have it sent to [email protected] . 
• CIE:   The University of Colorado Boulder can use CIE Direct after requesting the following information from the student: Cambridge Center and candidate numbers, student’s date of birth and the relevant examination series (month and year, e.g. June 2014). 
• OCR : Student must request that OCR send a fax confirming student’s results to the University of Colorado Boulder. Fax number: +1-303-735-2501, ATTN: International Admissions.
• Pearson/Edexcel : Student must apply for a copy of the certificate  to be sent directly to the University of Colorado Boulder.
• WJEC/CBAC : Student must submit original Certificate or Certifying Statement of Results only (confirmation of grades via email/telephone/fax not available). 

If you took college-level courses while enrolled in high school, you may be able to transfer the credit to CU Boulder. Only courses taken at a college or university of recognized standing with grades of C- or better are accepted for transfer. All college-level work will be evaluated in accordance with CU Boulder transfer credit guidelines. You must have an official college transcript sent directly to the Office of Admissions in order for transfer credit to be evaluated.

Review the Transfer Credit Policy

The International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programs provide pre-university study. IB examinations, whether leading to a full IB diploma or to an IB certificate, often qualify students for advanced standing at CU Boulder. In general, credit is granted for approved IB examinations at the higher level with a score of 4 or better. Students admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder who have graduated from high school with an International Baccalaureate Diploma shall be granted 24 semester hours of college credit. This credit will be applied toward degree requirements only if approved by the college or school. Depending on the student’s degree program, some of the 24 credits may not be applicable towards degree requirements. No CU Boulder tuition will be charged for these credits and the 24 credits will only be granted if the student receives a score of 4 or better on an examination administered as part of the IB Diploma program. If the student scores less than 4 on each IB subject test, the credit hours granted will be reduced accordingly. Official scores must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from the IB organization.

Review the International Baccalaureate Chart

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Undergraduate Admission Information For:

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are in high school, or have graduated from high school but have not taken any college courses after graduating or earning a GED.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants have attended another college or university since earning their high school diploma or GED. Transfer applicants are looking to complete a bachelor’s degree at CU Boulder.

International Applicants

Undergraduate international applicants are students who need a visa to be in the U.S. Apply as a domestic student if you have a U.S. passport or green card.

Readmit Applicants

Veteran Applicants

Undocumented Applicants

CU Boulder counselors are here to help you through the application and answer any questions that may arise during the admission process.

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The University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, or political philosophy. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. You may  view the list of ADA and Title IX coordinators  and  review the Regent policy .

As a student or prospective student at CU Boulder, you have a right to certain information pertaining to financial aid programs, the Clery Act, crime and safety, graduation rates, athletics and other general information such as the costs associated with attending CU Boulder. To view this information visit  colorado.edu/your-right-know .

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