At a test-optional college, submit your ACT score when it is at or above the middle range of recently admitted students, and hold it back when it sits well below that range. A strong score can only help; a weak one is the one case where leaving it off may be smarter. Test-optional means the choice is genuinely yours, so the goal is to decide with data instead of nerves.
First, know which kind of policy you are dealing with
Schools use a few different labels, and they are not the same thing:
- Test-optional: you decide whether to send scores, and they are considered if you do.
- Test-blind (or test-free): the school will not look at scores even if you submit them, so there is no reason to send them.
- Test-flexible: you can submit the ACT or another option to satisfy a testing component.
Confirm the exact policy on each college's admissions page, since these labels and rules change from year to year.
The middle-50% test
Most colleges publish the middle 50% of ACT scores for their admitted students, often called the 25th to 75th percentile range. Compare your score to that range:
- At or above the 75th percentile: submit. Your score is a clear strength.
- Around the median (50th): submitting usually helps, since you look like a typical admitted student.
- Near the 25th percentile: it is a judgment call. Consider the rest of your application before deciding.
- Well below the 25th percentile: you can probably skip it and let your grades, essays, and activities carry more weight.
Our guide on what ACT score you need for college explains how to find and read these ranges for your specific schools.
Look at your whole application
Your score does not exist in a vacuum. A score slightly below a school's median might still be worth submitting if it is stronger than the rest of your profile, or if it shows a strength your transcript does not. On the flip side, if your GPA and activities are excellent and your score lags, leaning on the rest of your application can make sense.
Watch for places scores are still required
Even at test-optional schools, scores are sometimes expected for:
- Certain merit scholarships or honors programs.
- Specific majors, like some engineering or nursing tracks.
- Course placement once you enroll.
- Some athletic or homeschool applicant requirements.
Check each program's requirements separately, because a school can be test-optional for admission but still want scores elsewhere.
If your score is close, consider one more try
If you are just below the range you want, a focused retake might push you into clearly-submit territory, especially since many colleges superscore. See how many times you should take the ACT and how ACT superscoring works to weigh whether another sitting is worth it. To gut-check your target, revisit what is a good ACT score.
The bottom line
Test-optional puts you in control. Pull the middle-50% range for each school, compare it honestly to your score, factor in the rest of your application, and submit when your score helps your case. When it clearly does not, it is okay to let the rest of your story speak.
Start practicing
Start with a free diagnostic, then drill your weak spots with 15-question quizzes and track how you're doing across Reading, English, and Math. Compare plans whenever you're ready to go further.
This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.