Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:31     Subject: Test Optional?
There are some kids who are great students but have terrible test anxiety and TO is a good option. I still don't think it helps much for the top schools though, unless you are submitting APs. Best advice is to put the time into prepping for SATs and APs. Don't rely on TO.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:31     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:I have a child who went from a 31 to a 35, and I know plenty of kids who went from 29-34 or 35. It's not magic. Just a matter of commitment.


+1
My kid went from 1330 to 1490 (which is 29 to 33/34). Took a baseline test, did 4 hours of 1-1 tutoring to address "tricks and my kids issues" and the next 4 practice tests were ~1490. So my kid got there with 4 hours of tutoring. We did another 6 hours of tutoring as well as 3-4 additional practice tests but the score remained the same.

Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:30     Subject: Test Optional?
Very uneven kid with ADHD around a 3.1 GPA. Applied TO to most schools for engineering (for example, Miami Ohio). Accepted at all except George Mason (deferred). Sent scores to one school that required a base level math score for direct-admit to engineering. Even though the verbal score was very weak, they were still direct admitted.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:30     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:TO will not be a great look for a someone w your DCs stats. Not too hard to bump up sat. I would have him work on that. Superscoring to at least 1500 will be straightforward. Good luck.


+1 With his stats, TO will look like his test scores are not 1500+, especially with 4/5 on all his AP tests. So yes, it will look "fishy" to the AO. So unless you are form a Low income zip code, it will be assumed he didn't do well on the SAT/ACT.

That's the thing, TO is not really TO at most schools. If you are from a zipcode where everyone can easily take the tests, then you should take it and submit


What is your support for this? I would agree if school says "test recommended," but most who say TO are explicit that nothing will be assumed by not submitting, it's just 1 data point.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:28     Subject: Test Optional?
I had a kid like this. Terrible high school student but got 5s on APs and a 35 on the ACT without any prep besides looking through the official guide. It helped him get into a T30
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:28     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If your son/daughter has gone test optional, what was the outcome? Highly achieving public. 10/11APs, 3.94 unweighted, good EC, 4/5 on AP exams. White male. Thank you!


I can't really answer your question and TO outcomes. My DC is the opposite of yours.. mediocre grades (sub 3.4 unweighted) but with good rigor (will end with 9 APs) and above average SAT (1500). Applied T40 and below, pretty much into every school he applied to that too for CS, Engineering or Business. I've been reading a lot on College Confidential and some Facebook groups and often come across parents wondering why their high stats, but TO kid didn't get in. TO outcomes likely depend on the type of college (Private vs Public) and your high school profile.

If I were in your shoes, I'd make sure your son prepares well and takes the SAT and/or ACT. He seems like he can do well.


I hope you dc works a little harder in college. The world is filled with kids who slack and are smart.....sounds like OPs child is a really terrific student. Colleges want this.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:28     Subject: Re:Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:^ why would standardized test scores be too low to submit if he has the AP exam scores and GPA. That looks fishy.


That's really jumping to conclusions. I know several kids who get mostly 5s on APs but can't seem to break 1470 or 33 on SAT/ACT. Some kids just don't deal with those well.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:27     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:TO will not be a great look for a someone w your DCs stats. Not too hard to bump up sat. I would have him work on that. Superscoring to at least 1500 will be straightforward. Good luck.


+1 With his stats, TO will look like his test scores are not 1500+, especially with 4/5 on all his AP tests. So yes, it will look "fishy" to the AO. So unless you are form a Low income zip code, it will be assumed he didn't do well on the SAT/ACT.

That's the thing, TO is not really TO at most schools. If you are from a zipcode where everyone can easily take the tests, then you should take it and submit
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:27     Subject: Re:Test Optional?
Interesting. I would think mediocre grades would show a lack of effort....Shows what I know. Ideally the grades and scores align...but I suppose if your kid can get in, the opposite can happen too. GL!
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:25     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:If your son/daughter has gone test optional, what was the outcome? Highly achieving public. 10/11APs, 3.94 unweighted, good EC, 4/5 on AP exams. White male. Thank you!


I can't really answer your question and TO outcomes. My DC is the opposite of yours.. mediocre grades (sub 3.4 unweighted) but with good rigor (will end with 9 APs) and above average SAT (1500). Applied T40 and below, pretty much into every school he applied to that too for CS, Engineering or Business. I've been reading a lot on College Confidential and some Facebook groups and often come across parents wondering why their high stats, but TO kid didn't get in. TO outcomes likely depend on the type of college (Private vs Public) and your high school profile.

If I were in your shoes, I'd make sure your son prepares well and takes the SAT and/or ACT. He seems like he can do well.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:24     Subject: Re:Test Optional?
Yes, they are. Thanks for sharing. Good luck to him! UMD is awesome.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:23     Subject: Re:Test Optional?
DS is a senior. Only applied to UMD early. The rest RD so we only have one decision to go by. Very high grades at rigorous private. Great ECs. LDs so all the test prep didn't seem worth it to us. Accepted to UMD. He is happy with that, and we are happy. BUT it looks like things may be changing, and I am not sure I would be as comfortable with TO next year.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:23     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:My DD had similar stats. She is terrible at standardized testing, so even with prep, she couldn't break 30. She went test optional to T50-75 schools and got into all of them and got merit from most. If she had submitted scores, there is no way she would have gotten that result. Because schools are test optional now, students don't send in scores unless they are nearly perfect. So while a 32 may have been in the top 25% five years ago, it is now probably in the bottom 25% for many schools.


This is really interesting. Can I ask where she is in college now? Thank you for this personal perspective. I appreciate it.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:21     Subject: Test Optional?
Anonymous wrote:I’m curious too.
DD. 3.9 at rigorous private. National awards in niche area.
First ACT was 29….
Trying to figure out how much standardized tutoring/time might be worth it - think she needs a 34 to be competitive which is a big jump.


I’m sorry but how can a 3.9 kid at a rigorous private only score a 29? How rigorous can this school be? Are they just in regular classes? Have they always tested low? I would think that kid would score a 32 As A Starting Point and easily get 34 35.
Anonymous
Post 02/15/2024 10:20     Subject: Test Optional?
My DD had similar stats. She is terrible at standardized testing, so even with prep, she couldn't break 30. She went test optional to T50-75 schools and got into all of them and got merit from most. If she had submitted scores, there is no way she would have gotten that result. Because schools are test optional now, students don't send in scores unless they are nearly perfect. So while a 32 may have been in the top 25% five years ago, it is now probably in the bottom 25% for many schools.