An applicant should check the specific college or university’s own admissions requirements and confirm the policy for the intended application. Testing policies vary by institution, and some U.S. higher education institutions have test-optional admissions policies, so one general rule cannot answer every case.
How to check the requirement
- Open the institution’s official admissions or application-guidance page.
- Find the section addressing testing or required application materials.
- Check whether the wording identifies a test score as required or optional.
- Follow any test, submission, and deadline instructions that the institution provides for that application.
- If the wording is unclear or the pages conflict, ask the institution’s admissions office for clarification instead of relying on another applicant’s experience.
The cited guidance specifically says that applicants should confirm which test or tests are required with the college or university they plan to apply to. It also notes that some U.S. higher education institutions have implemented test-optional admissions policies; that does not establish the policy for every institution.
How to interpret the wording
| Wording in the institution’s guidance | What the applicant can conclude |
|---|---|
| A test score is required | The applicant should plan to follow the institution’s stated test and submission instructions. |
| The policy is test-optional | The applicant should read the conditions and confirm that the policy applies to the intended application. |
| The requirement is not stated or the information conflicts | The applicant should seek clarification from the institution rather than assume either a requirement or a waiver. |
What still needs confirmation
Before submitting an application, the applicant should confirm:
- whether the policy applies to the exact institution and application being considered;
- which test or tests, if any, the institution says are required;
- whether a test-optional policy has any conditions;
- the applicable submission instructions and deadline, if the institution states them; and
- whether the information is current for the relevant application cycle.
The cited guidance does not provide a universal test list or deadline, so neither should be assumed. When the institution’s materials do not answer the question, the applicant must confirm the unresolved point directly with the institution.