Should I submit test optional if my SAT or ACT score is below the college average?

Usually, if your SAT or ACT score is clearly below a college’s middle 50 percent range, going test optional is the safer choice. If your score falls within that middle 50 percent, even near the lower end, submitting can still help.

The most practical benchmark is the school’s published 25th to 75th percentile range for enrolled students, not just the average score you see online. A score below the average is not automatically a problem, because averages can hide a wide spread. What matters more is where you land relative to the college’s reported range.

If your transcript is very strong and your score is weaker than your academic record suggests, test optional often makes sense. On the other hand, if your GPA is less consistent, a solid score within range can strengthen your case.

It also helps to think school by school, not one rule for every application. A score that is worth submitting at one college may be better left out at a more selective one. For test-flexible or test-recommended schools, read the policy carefully, because at some colleges scores still matter more than the phrase test optional suggests.

Your score does not need to be amazing to be worth sending, but it should support the academic story the rest of your application is telling.