Submitting SAT/ACT Scores via Common App

Some schools are test-optional, others require official reports, and a few say you can self-report everything through the Common App. It’s easy to miss a deadline or submit scores incorrectly with all that noise. We will break it all down—from self-reporting on your application to sending official score reports through College Board or ACT.

How To Self-Report SAT Or ACT Scores In The Common App?

You’ll find the Testing section on the left menu of the Common App. Here’s what to do:

1. Indicate whether you want to self-report scores
2. Select which tests you’ve taken—SAT, ACT, or both
3. Enter your highest scores in each section
4. Be honest. Schools may request official scores later

You don’t need to report every score. Most colleges only consider your best performance—some even superscore, combining your highest section results across test dates.

How To Send Official SAT Or ACT Scores To Colleges?

It’s okay to self-report your scores at first, but most colleges will ask for the official ones before you enroll. Here’s how to send them:

If you qualify for a fee waiver, both platforms allow you to send scores for free—up to four colleges per test.

What To Know If You Have A Fee Waiver?

Don’t let it go to waste if you’ve been approved for a SAT or ACT fee waiver—it unlocks way more than just a free test registration. You can save hundreds of dollars and get access to benefits most students overlook.

For the SAT, a fee waiver covers two free test registrations, plus free score sends to as many colleges as you want. You also get free access to CSS Profile submissions for financial aid at participating colleges, which can save another $100+ in application fees. Details are available on the College Board Fee Waiver page.

ACT fee waivers offer four free ACT test registrations, plus free score reports to up to six colleges per test date. You also get a free Test Information Release (TIR), which includes your actual test questions and answers—a huge advantage for improving scores. More info is listed on the ACT Fee Waiver Program.

You’ll also qualify for college application fee waivers. Schools that accept the SAT or ACT waiver form will waive their app fees if you check the box when applying or submit the proper documentation. That means no payment required for schools like Stanford, Duke, or Northwestern—just because you had a test waiver.

Are Test Scores Optional For Your College List?

Test scores are optional at many colleges—but not at all of them. Whether or not you need to submit SAT or ACT scores depends entirely on the schools you’re applying to. Some are fully test-optional, others are test-blind. A growing number are bringing back score requirements. If you’re building your college list, understanding these differences can save you from surprise requirements later.

Schools like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth have officially reinstated SAT and ACT score requirements for applicants. These schools argue that test scores provide important context for evaluating students across different schools and grading systems.

Schools like the University of Chicago, Bowdoin, and Colorado College remain test-optional and evaluate applications holistically. That means you can choose to submit scores if they support your application—but you won’t be penalized if you don’t.

Heads-up from our teachers: Yes, many schools are test-optional—but you still need to double-check each school’s official admissions page. Policies vary not only by college but sometimes even by program. For example, nursing or engineering programs at test-optional schools may still require scores, or ask for them in borderline cases.

Which Colleges Require SAT Or ACT Scores?

Here’s a snapshot of some test-required schools for Fall 2025 admissions:

How To Check If Colleges Received Your Scores?

There’s no automatic confirmation, so you’ll need to:

• Log into your College Board or ACT account
• Check your “score send history”
• Look for each college’s status (sent, pending, delivered)

Many colleges also update your application portal once they receive scores. Still missing? Email admissions with your full name, test date, and College Board/ACT ID.

How Do SAT And ACT Scores Affect Admissions?

Strong test scores help confirm academic readiness for many selective schools. Admissions officers use them to compare students from different schools or grading scales. A 1450 SAT or a 32 ACT can boost your chances at colleges like the University of Michigan or Georgia Tech, especially if your GPA isn’t from a known or rigorous high school. Test scores act like a common measuring stick—one that helps balance out subjective elements of an application.

But scores don’t stand alone. They’re considered only if they strengthen your application at test-optional schools like Boston University or Wake Forest. That means submitting a high score can be a plus, but a lower one won’t hurt you—because you don’t have to include it. Data from the Common App shows that more than 40% of applicants to test-optional colleges still choose to submit scores, and they’re admitted at higher rates than students who don’t.

Some colleges require scores for scholarships or honors programs even if they’re test-optional for general admission. For example, Baylor University and the University of Alabama offer thousands in merit aid based on SAT or ACT results. So if you skip sending scores, you could miss out on financial aid.

And let’s not forget schools that still require test scores. Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth announced they’re reinstating SAT/ACT requirements for 2025 admissions. These schools say standardized testing provides valuable context, especially when grades alone don’t tell the full story.

“Standardized tests can be a useful tool to help admissions staff identify underrepresented students more likely to achieve academic success”

—u/2ndwind, Reddit

Ana Lucía Torres, Senior Learning Advisor

Sources: College Board, ACT, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, MIT, University of Florida, University of Georgia, Reddit