What does it mean to be test-optional?

A test-optional policy means U.S. colleges don’t require you to submit SAT or ACT scores—but they’re happy to consider them if you do. For Swiss students navigating the Matura, IB, or French Bac, this might sound like a sigh of relief. But here’s the truth: a strong test score can still provide a significant advantage, especially as an international applicant.

Admissions officers want as many data points as possible when comparing students from different systems. If your school’s grading scale isn’t familiar or your curriculum differs from the American model, an excellent SAT or ACT score helps admissions officers evaluate you in a language they know. It shows not just academic skill but motivation, discipline, and preparedness for a U.S. university environment.

That said, test scores don’t carry the whole application. They’re part of a bigger picture that includes essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and transcripts. But if you can submit a strong score, it can tip the odds in your favor, particularly coming from Switzerland, where academic excellence is often paired with an international perspective.