Should You Submit Your ACT Score to a Test-Optional College?

At a test-optional college, your goal is not to follow a universal internet rule.

Your goal is to answer:

Does this ACT score add useful positive evidence to my application?

Step 1: confirm the current policy

Testing policies change.

A college may be:

• test required;
• test optional;
• test flexible;
• different by applicant year;
• different for scholarships or honors programs.

Use the official admissions website.

Step 2: find the college's ACT range

Look for the middle 50% range among students who submitted ACT scores.

Example:

College range:

30–34

Your ACT:

32

That score is clearly within the college's submitted range.

Submitting is usually reasonable. For general benchmarks beyond one college's range, see what counts as a good ACT score.

Below the 25th percentile?

Do not automatically assume you must withhold.

Context can matter.

A score slightly below the usual range may still help if:

• your school curriculum is unfamiliar;
• you are an international applicant;
• the score is strong relative to your educational context;
• a scholarship or program separately values testing.

But if your ACT is far below the college's typical submitted range and the school is genuinely test optional, withholding may be reasonable.

Above the 75th percentile?

Usually a strong reason to submit.

But still check the exact policy and program.

Scholarships can have different rules

A school may be test optional for admission but use ACT scores for:

• merit awards;
• honors programs;
• course placement.

Do not stop after reading the main admissions page.

Superscore or single test?

If the college accepts ACT Superscores, compare your Superscore with its reported ranges.

The current ACT Superscore uses your best:

• English;
• Math;
• Reading.

Science is not part of the Composite Superscore. See our complete guide to the Enhanced ACT for how the current test and Superscore are structured.

International students

A strong ACT can give US colleges another standardized academic signal.

That can be useful when:

• grading systems differ;
• curricula are unfamiliar;
• school profiles provide limited context.

But a weak score does not become stronger simply because you are international. See the rest of our ACT guides for more admissions and scoring context.

A simple decision table

Should you retake first?

If your score is close to the college's useful range and recent practice is higher, a retake may be worth considering.

Do not retake simply to chase a number with no clear admissions value. If a retake is on the table, check the 2026–27 ACT test dates to see what's still available before deadlines.

Bottom line

Submit your ACT when the score strengthens the academic evidence in your application.

Decide using:

• the college's current policy;
• its submitted-score range;
• scholarships/program requirements;
• your broader academic record.

Sources to verify for each application

• The college's own admissions website
• ACT score sending: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/sending-your-scores.html

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