It’s that time of year - study time for the SAT and ACT tests traditionally required as part of the college application process.

But that’s changing and many schools are making the tests optional.

It’s no longer a requirement to submit the test scores in order to apply for admission to a SUNY college or university, temporarily. It's a decision that was made during COVID-19.

What You Need To Know

  • SUNY is maintaining optional SAT testing another year

  • SUNY Brockport Director of Admissions: "I think the more data that we have available to us, the more refined we make our admissions process be and more equitable."

  • SUNY campuses across the state will remain SAT/ACT test-optional for applicants for the 2023-2024 school year

But now the temporary suspension of the testing requirements has been extended another year.

“I think there’s been a lot of positive studies on it and how you can close opportunity gaps through the test-optional environments, and I think there’s a lot more data out there nationwide…and I think the more data that we have available to us, the more refined we make our admissions process be and more equitable," said SUNY Brockport Director Undergraduate Admissions Robert Wyant.

He says he believes the optional testing offers more opportunities for more potential students.

“It actually requires us to look into more things like a core average, like a Regent’s average, like their participation in high school activities, extracurricular activities, stuff like that. So it really made us dive into the whole application on a much deeper level, and it allows us to know and understand our applicants in a more detailed setting,” he said.

Students attending SUNY Brockport who opted out of submitting SAT scores are thankful they had the choice.

“I like it, I mean I didn’t like how standardized the SATs were. I thought they weren’t a good representation of what a student could do. So I was kind of glad they focused more on your GPA and other achievements that you did in high school," said Mya Henry.

“I think it was a good thing it was optional and stuff like that, especially for kids because not taking it can help you too in the long run. So it’s really good, beneficial wise, depending on whether you want to take it or not," said Mingil Bash.

Wyant says he would like to see the test-optional requirement become permanent.

For now, SUNY campuses across the state will remain SAT/ACT test-optional for applicants for the 2023-2024 school year.