Many colleges no longer require SAT, CLT or ACT scores—but does that mean homeschool students should skip them?
The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Since 2020, hundreds of colleges have adopted test-optional admissions policies, leading many families to assume standardized tests no longer matter. In reality, whether your student should take the SAT, CLT or ACT depends on where they’re applying, the strength of the rest of their application, and how colleges will evaluate their academic record.
Understanding why colleges became test-optional, and how admissions offices actually use test scores today, can help you make the right decision for your student instead of relying on assumptions.
What Does “Test-Optional” Actually Mean?
A test-optional college allows applicants to choose whether to submit SAT, CLT or ACT scores.
If a student submits strong scores, the admissions office considers them as part of the application. If a student doesn’t submit scores, the college evaluates the application using the remaining materials, such as:
- High school transcript
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essays
- Activities and accomplishments
- Letters of recommendation (when required)
Notice what test-optional does not mean.
It does not mean colleges have stopped caring about academic preparation. It simply means they are willing to evaluate students without standardized test scores when other evidence is sufficient.
That’s an important distinction.
Why Did Colleges Become Test-Optional?
Though some schools have consistently operated as test-optional, many adopted test-optional policies during the COVID-19 pandemic when students had limited access to testing centers. They simply could not assess students on an admissions component they weren’t able to complete.
As colleges gained experience reviewing applications without scores, many realized they could still identify strong candidates through other parts of the application.
Some institutions also believed removing the testing requirement would encourage more students to apply, particularly those from underserved backgrounds or schools with fewer testing resources.
Today, admissions policies vary widely. Some colleges remain permanently test-optional. Others have returned to requiring standardized tests. Still others require scores only for certain scholarships or academic programs.
That means families should avoid assuming every college follows the same policy.
Does Test-Optional Mean Test Scores Don’t Matter?
No.
At many colleges, strong SAT, CLT or ACT scores can still strengthen an application.
Think of test scores as one additional piece of evidence.
A high score may:
- Reinforce a strong transcript
- Demonstrate academic readiness
- Offset concerns about grade inflation
- Increase competitiveness for scholarships
- Provide another data point when applicants have similar academic records
Submitting scores is rarely harmful if they’re genuinely competitive for the colleges on your student’s list.
The decision isn’t whether tests matter, but whether your student’s scores help tell a stronger overall story.
Why Standardized Tests Can Be Especially Helpful for Homeschool Students
Homeschool applicants don’t have class rank, school profiles, or large graduating classes that allow admissions offices to compare students within the same school. They also don’t have school reputations and rankings (think Niche.com and US News and World Report-type lists) or previous successful alumni to help bolster their reputation.
Instead, colleges evaluate a homeschool application by looking for multiple pieces of evidence that support one another.
That might include:
- A well-prepared transcript
- Rigorous coursework
- Dual enrollment or AP classes (when available)
- Strong essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores
Notice that test scores aren’t replacing the transcript.
They’re simply another independent measure that can reinforce what the transcript already shows.
For example, if a transcript shows strong performance in advanced math and science, a solid SAT, CLT or ACT score can provide additional confidence that the student’s academic preparation matches those grades.
This doesn’t mean every homeschool student needs testing.
It simply explains why many admissions offices still find scores useful when evaluating applicants from nontraditional educational backgrounds.
When It May Make Sense to Submit Scores
Generally speaking, submitting SAT, CLT or ACT scores is worth considering when:
- The scores are at or above the typical range for admitted students.
- Your student is applying to competitive colleges.
- Merit scholarships consider standardized test scores.
- The transcript alone may not fully demonstrate academic strength.
- The colleges specifically recommend or encourage submitting scores.
In these situations, test scores can add meaningful value to an application.
When It May Make Sense Not to Submit Scores
There are also situations where withholding scores may be the better choice.
For example:
- Scores fall well below the college’s typical admitted range.
- The transcript, coursework, and other application materials already provide strong evidence of academic ability.
- The colleges clearly state they review applications equally with or without scores.
Remember, test-optional gives applicants a choice.
The goal is not simply to submit every available credential (especially when not requested). The goal is to present the strongest overall application possible.
SAT or ACT: Which Test Should Your Student Take?
For most students today, the answer is surprisingly simple:
Take whichever test fits your student’s strengths.
Colleges generally accept both exams equally. Admissions offices do not favor one over the other.
The SAT places somewhat greater emphasis on problem-solving, while the ACT moves at a faster pace and includes a separate science section. Some students naturally perform better on one format than the other. For instance, both my daughter and I scored better on the ACT, though we tested almost 30 years apart.
Many families begin by taking a full-length practice exam for each test. Comparing the results often makes the better choice obvious.
Once your student selects one exam, it’s usually more productive to focus preparation on that test rather than trying to prepare equally for both.
What about the CLT?
The Classic Learning Test (CLT) has gained popularity among many homeschool families, particularly those using classical or Christian curricula.
Unlike the SAT and ACT, the CLT emphasizes reading, grammar, and reasoning through a mix of classic literature, historical texts, and foundational philosophical works. Many students who have been educated with a classical approach find the exam aligns well with the way they’ve learned.
The most important consideration, however, isn’t the style of the test but whether your student’s colleges accept it.
While the number of colleges recognizing the CLT continues to grow, it is still accepted by far fewer institutions than the SAT or ACT. Some colleges accept the CLT for admission, others only for scholarship consideration, and many do not accept it at all.
If your student’s college list includes schools that accept the CLT, it may be an excellent option. But if your student is applying to a broad range of colleges, or if you’re still building a college list, the SAT or ACT will provide the greatest flexibility.
As with any admissions requirement, start by researching the colleges your student plans to apply to. The best test is the one accepted by the schools that matter most to your family.
Don’t Forget About Scholarships!
One reason many families continue testing – even when colleges are test-optional – is scholarships.
Some colleges automatically consider applicants with qualifying test scores for merit awards.
Others require scores for certain scholarship programs, honors colleges, or competitive academic opportunities.
This applies to private and state-funded scholarships as well. For instance, here in Florida, eligible students can earn a scholarship that covers 100% of tuition after meeting eligibility requirements, including a certain score on the ACT, SAT, or CLT. Though not a part of the admissions process itself, the prospect of saving tens of thousands of dollars in tuition may justify spending a few hours preparing for an exam.
Because scholarship policies vary, it’s worth checking each college and scholarship individually before deciding to skip testing altogether.
Build Your College List Before Making the Decision
One of the biggest mistakes families make is deciding whether to test before they know where their student plans to apply. A better approach is to reverse the process.
First, build a preliminary college list. Then research each school’s admissions and scholarship requirements.
Only after understanding those requirements should you decide whether submitting SAT, CLT or ACT scores makes strategic sense.
This keeps the decision grounded in your student’s actual goals rather than general advice found online.
The Bottom Line
Test-optional doesn’t mean standardized tests have become irrelevant.
It simply gives students another way to demonstrate their readiness for college.
For some applicants, SAT, CLT or ACT scores can strengthen an application, improve scholarship opportunities, and provide additional evidence of academic preparation. For others, choosing not to submit scores may be the stronger strategy.
The right decision depends on your student’s academic record, testing performance, and the colleges they’re applying to, not on blanket rules or internet headlines.
Key takeaway: Test-optional means you have a choice, not that testing no longer matters. Build your college list first, understand each school’s policies, and then decide whether SAT, CLT or ACT scores strengthen your student’s application.
Up Next
Standardized tests are only one piece of the admissions puzzle. Colleges evaluate applicants by looking at the entire academic picture—not just a test score or GPA. In the next article, How Colleges Evaluate Homeschooled Applicants, we’ll look inside the admissions process and explain what colleges actually consider when reviewing homeschool applications.