With the rise of test-optional policies, many homeschooling families who already have college credit are questioning whether their teen should take standardized tests like the CLT, SAT, or ACT. In this post, we’ll explore whether your teen can skip these tests, what factors to consider, and how to strengthen their college application even without submitting test scores.
While it’s true that many schools no longer require these tests for admission, skipping them may not always be the best option—especially when it comes to merit-based scholarships or specific college admission requirements. On the flip side, for families who are heavily invested in earning college credit during high school through Homeschooling for College Credit (HS4CC), the need for standardized tests may be greatly reduced. In fact, for some families, the significant college credits earned in high school can be thought of as creating a “scholarship” of their own, by cutting out 1-3 years of future college costs.
College is a lot less expensive when you only have to pay for half of it at full price!
The Rise of Test-Optional Colleges
Nearly 80% of four-year colleges no longer require standardized test scores for admissions. With the increasing adoption of test-optional policies, more students are applying to college without taking the CLT, SAT, or ACT. However, this trend does not apply uniformly across all schools. Some colleges and programs still require these scores for specific majors or scholarships. And while skipping these tests might be an attractive option, it’s not always the right decision for every student, especially if scholarships are part of your financial planning.
Merit Scholarships and Test Scores: Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
One important reason to consider taking the SAT, ACT, or CLT is that many merit-based scholarships still require standardized test scores. These scholarships, often based on academic performance, can significantly reduce college expenses—sometimes even covering full tuition. If your teen doesn’t submit test scores, they could miss out on these valuable opportunities.
For example, many universities offer automatic merit-based scholarships based on a combination of GPA and test scores. A strong SAT or ACT score can potentially unlock thousands of dollars in financial aid. Without submitting a test score, your teen may not qualify for certain scholarships that could have made a big difference financially(CollegeVine).
Additionally, students who excel at standardized tests may be missing an opportunity to strengthen their application and stand out from other applicants. Even at test-optional schools, submitting a high score could improve their chances of admission and increase scholarship awards. Research the specific requirements of both the colleges and scholarships your teen is considering to see if a standardized test is still a good option.
HS4CC and College Credit: Creating Your Own “Scholarship”
If your teen is part of the Homeschooling for College Credit (HS4CC) program, you’re already creating significant financial advantages. By earning substantial college credit during high school—through dual enrollment, CLEP, or other credit-by-exam programs—you’re essentially building your own “scholarship” by reducing the overall time and cost of earning a degree.
For a family that plans to utilize these earned credits in college, it may not make sense to focus on standardized tests. When your teen enters college already holding 30 to 90 credits, they could eliminate 1-3 years of coursework. This not only accelerates their academic path but also cuts down on tuition, room and board, and other college expenses, which can total tens of thousands of dollars.
For families that are confident these credits will transfer and be used toward a degree, the cost and effort of preparing for standardized tests may not be worth it. By focusing on building college credit in high school, you’re reducing future expenses upfront.
Freshman Admissions and Standardized Test Requirements
Another important consideration for HS4CC families is understanding how earning college credit in high school impacts admissions requirements. Even if your teen enters college with significant credit, they will still apply as a freshman, not a transfer student. This distinction is crucial because many colleges have different admissions requirements for freshmen and transfer students.
Some colleges, even those with test-optional policies, require all incoming freshmen to submit standardized test scores, regardless of how many college credits they’ve earned in high school. This means that even if your teen is academically ahead, they may still need to take the SAT, ACT, or CLT to meet freshman admission requirements. It’s essential to research the specific admissions policies of each college your teen is applying to in order to avoid surprises later in the application process.
When You Might Skip the Test
While standardized tests can still play an important role, there are certain cases where skipping them might make sense:
- College Credit Earned in High School: If your teen has already earned significant college credit through dual enrollment, CLEP, or AP exams, their transcript will show they’re capable of succeeding in college-level work. This academic evidence could outweigh the need for a standardized test score.
- Test-Optional Target Schools: With more schools adopting test-optional policies, research the specific admissions policies of your teen’s target schools. If most of the colleges on their list don’t require test scores, and your teen has strong college credit and extracurriculars, you may decide to skip the tests.
- Strong Academic and Extracurricular Record: If your teen has a solid GPA, leadership roles, and a robust list of extracurricular achievements, their application might be competitive without a test score. (Keep in mind the converse of this argument- if your teen has a high GPA but a low test score, that can undermine the credibility of the grades you awarded, a valid concern among homeschool parents with little to no outside credits.)
- Scholarships Not Dependent on Test Scores: If the scholarships your teen is targeting don’t require a test score, you may be able to skip the standardized test without missing any financial aid opportunities. Be sure to research scholarship requirements carefully before making this decision.
What About the CLT?
The Classical Learning Test (CLT) offers an alternative to the SAT and ACT, particularly for students with a classical or Christian education background. While the CLT is growing in popularity, it’s not as widely accepted as the SAT or ACT. The CLT places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, classical texts, and moral reasoning, which may align well with certain homeschool curriculums.
However, if your teen is considering taking the CLT, be sure to verify that their target colleges accept it. While over 200 colleges currently accept CLT scores, the test is still not as universally recognized as its competitors. CLT scores may also be required for certain Christian colleges or classical education programs.
Conclusion: To Test or Not to Test?
Deciding whether to skip the CLT, SAT, or ACT depends on your teen’s college goals, the credit they’ve already earned through HS4CC, and the specific admissions requirements of their target schools. For students with substantial college credit earned in high school, standardized tests may be less important—especially if they are reducing 1-3 years of college expenses through credit by exam and dual enrollment.
If your teen is entering the 4-year university by first completing an associate degree through a partnering 2-year community college, you can almost certainly skip the tests. However, families should carefully consider whether test scores are required for scholarships or freshman admissions if you’re going directly from high school to the university. In many cases, taking the SAT, ACT, or CLT can still unlock valuable financial aid opportunities, and for strong test-takers, it could provide an additional competitive edge.
