Penn State Extends Test-Optional Admissions Through 2025

Penn State will continue to implement test-optional admissions through 2025, meaning prospective students are not required to include SAT or ACT scores with their applications, according to a university news release on Tuesday.

Instead of standardized test scores, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will continue to focus on other components like a student’s grades, essay or personal statement, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework and honors work.

The test-optional initiative was first implemented in June 2020 in response to the limited test availability caused by the pandemic. It was later extended until 2023 and now 2025 due to concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on high school education.

“One intent of an extension is to continue the standardized testing relief to students,” Rob Springall, assistant vice president for enrollment management and executive director of Undergraduate Admissions, said in a statement. “There was already anxiety about tests before the pandemic. COVID-19 added even more stressors and changed college admissions.

“Two more years will also give Penn State the benefit of time to see what has permanently changed and how we can do our work even better. We are making this announcement now so current high school juniors and sophomores can make their college application and testing plans.” 

Since 2020, more than half of Penn State applications have been submitted without an SAT or ACT score. Given the various barriers brought on by experiencing education during the pandemic, Penn State’s Undergraduate Admissions hopes to uncover how the test-optional process affects students’ performance.

“It’s still difficult to discern the complete impact of test-optional admission,” Vince Timbers, director of Undergraduate Admissions information systems and research, said. “Penn State only has one class that was admitted test-optional that has also completed at least one year at our campuses. Analysis of added first-year classes will better separate the impact of test-optional admissions from the aftereffects of COVID-19. That’s why we concluded that our work isn’t finished.”  

More information on test-optional admissions can be found here.