Test-Optional Admissions, Selectivity, and Enrollment Outcomes during the Pandemic
To what extent do “test-optional” policies relate to selectivity and enrollment outcomes among low-income and racially minoritized students?
Results suggest test-optional implementation related to increases in Black student enrollment, mostly at moderately selective colleges and when policies extended to all applicants and scholarships. At highly selective colleges, results suggest test-optional implementation related to an increase in applications but not consistent gains in enrollment.