U.S. Undergraduate Test-Optional Policies for International Applicants during the COVID Pandemic: An Exploration of Admissions Webpages

Abstract

Although the adoption of test-optional policies (TOPs) has risen, there is little research documenting the types of TOPs (e.g., test-blind, test-optional) utilized across higher educational institutions, particularly for international applicants, who have been traditionally required to submit additional application components (e.g., proof of English language proficiency [ELP]). Using the content of undergraduate admissions webpages from 518 U.S. 4-year universities, the current study examined how standardized test policies are implemented in admissions for international applicants. We found that only 2.5% of the institutions explicitly required ACT/SAT scores, whereas 43.1% stated ACT/SAT scores as optional requirements for admissions. Some institutions provided unclear TOP information, with some listing ACT/SAT together with the ELP requirements. Most institutions (82.0%) explicitly required an ELP test score. Lastly, we found that, of the differing test policies, utilizations of the ACT test as both a main requirement and proof of ELP were associated with lower rates of international student admissions to institutions, and for private institutions in particular.