Test Optional Policy at UVA in Fall of 2026

[Anonymous]

A reading SOL is taken in 11th. The others are taken in middle school (if you’re in advanced math) and freshman biology. SOLs aren’t a valid metric for college admissions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A reading SOL is taken in 11th. The others are taken in middle school (if you’re in advanced math) and freshman biology. SOLs aren’t a valid metric for college admissions.

Reading and writing. My junior just took these last week. The bar is so low on these, I can’t imagine they could really be that useful, but hey, it’s a lot easier than the SAT, so works for me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

TO also works out for athletes and kids from donor families who aren’t as academically inclined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

TO also works out for athletes and kids from donor families who aren’t as academically inclined.

PP here. Agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Testing is only one piece of a holistic review. The admissions committee could feel the rest of the application is strong and demonstrates an ability to succeed, so they do not need the test scores. It’s the same way sometimes people with low test scores get in anyway. I think some feel it helps them identify and admit a diamond in the rough.

Frankly, though, it benefits the college because it artificially inflates their metrics. They can take who they want based on the rest of the application and it will not impact their averages. My kid (who is dyslexic and does not test well) benefitted from TO, so I am grateful for it, but I get how it really advantages the college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Testing is only one piece of a holistic review. The admissions committee could feel the rest of the application is strong and demonstrates an ability to succeed, so they do not need the test scores. It’s the same way sometimes people with low test scores get in anyway. I think some feel it helps them identify and admit a diamond in the rough.

Frankly, though, it benefits the college because it artificially inflates their metrics. They can take who they want based on the rest of the application and it will not impact their averages. My kid (who is dyslexic and does not test well) benefitted from TO, so I am grateful for it, but I get how it really advantages the college.

And don't forget this - only about 30% of high schools provide class rank, which is what USNWR still includes. Schools that are test optional huge latitude to accept who they want without it impacting reported stats used for rankings.

[Anonymous]

It would appear that UVA has announced that they will continue the test optional policy through the 2026 admissions cycle.

Scroll down and expand the "test optional" question:

https://admission.virginia.edu/faqs

[Anonymous]

Kudos uva. I know bunch of admits this year who went TO. But had very high weighted gpa and were admitted ed and ea. wrote good essays and decent activities. So that formula works for in state. I think I read on some threads they like 4.4 and above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kudos uva. I know bunch of admits this year who went TO. But had very high weighted gpa and were admitted ed and ea. wrote good essays and decent activities. So that formula works for in state. I think I read on some threads they like 4.4 and above.

4.4 from NOVA public schools and 4.3 from private schools. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

College admissions is a zero-sum game. In raw numbers, which demographic do you think apply - and get accepted - under test optional in the largest numbers?

It's not URMs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

College admissions is a zero-sum game. In raw numbers, which demographic do you think apply - and get accepted - under test optional in the largest numbers?

It's not URMs.

To a top 25 school? Definitely URMs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So if a student doesn’t submit test score, its obvious they did less than 1500, and if everything else is great, rigor gpa etc they are at a disadvantage, cause than the college knows kid didnt do good in SAT?
ie, less chance of getting in?
Honest question… wondering the logic behind test optional.

Test optional allows them to meet institutional priorities (FGLI and URM). Test optional should only be used if you are FGLI or URM. If you are a HHI NOVA kid with college educated parents, you better submit scores. High scores.

College admissions is a zero-sum game. In raw numbers, which demographic do you think apply - and get accepted - under test optional in the largest numbers?

It's not URMs.

To a top 25 school? Definitely URMs

Don’t think so. How would you know anyway? Is there a data set? You don’t think a TON of white kids got into Vandy TO?