Ep. 32 | Does Test-Optional Hurt or Help?

Show Notes: In today’s episode, I address the fast-changing “test-optional” policies being adopted by colleges and universities across the country - particularly in light of COVID-19. Why are so many colleges going “test-optional”? What are their motivations? How should this affect your child’s test-taking strategy, if at all? How will this affect admissions? Will this affect who gets merit scholarships? Is it a smart idea to skip the SAT or ACT this year?  Here is what I discuss in this episode: 0:03:04 Why are so many colleges going test-optional? 0:04:00 What does test-optional mean? 0:04:35 Do test-optional schools consider test scores? 0:05:44 Not all test-optional policies are created equal 0:06:30 Various types of test-optional policies 0:09:00 When you should skip the SAT and ACT  0:11:00 Why colleges would choose to go test-optional? 0:14:44 Which students win in a test-optional world? 0:16:50 No SAT or ACT score, no merit scholarship 0:17:35 What should a student do?  0:18:30 Exact next steps Follow us: Enroll in PrepWell Academy Follow on Instagram Follow on Facebook If you want to support the show, here are three immediate steps to take.   Subscribe to the podcast where ever you listen to podcasts Follow me on Instagram or Facebook Give us a review Share this episode with a friend Join our mailing list Enroll your 9th or 10th grader in the program Podcast Host: PrepWell Academy's Founder, Phil Black, has spent a lifetime cracking the code on the world's most competitive programs: Yale University, Harvard Business School, Navy SEALs, Goldman Sachs, Entrepreneurship, Shark Tank, etc. Inside PrepWell Academy, Black teaches students everything they need to know about the college admissions process in a series of expertly-timed, 3-5-minute, weekly training videos starting in 9th grade and continuing through 12th grade [Note: this program can only be joined in 9th or 10th grade]. My specialties include military service academies, ROTC scholarships, Ivy League, and student-athletes.