Penn State will continue making SAT and ACT score submissions optional for high schoolers applying for admission through summer and fall 2023, the university announced Tuesday.

Penn State hopes the decision will ease high schoolers’ anxieties while testing is disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

“We have heard from many students, parents, and high school counselors that this is placing a great deal of stress on applicants,” assistant vice president for Undergraduate Education and executive director of Undergraduate Admissions Rob Springall said in a statement. “By making the SAT and ACT tests optional for an additional two admissions cycles, we hope to alleviate some of the anxiety students are feeling.”

If a student doesn’t submit test scores, Penn State will look at their high school records with a focus on the areas related to the student’s intended major and the overall academic performance for undeclared majors. The decision to submit or not test scores can be changed up until you receive your admissions decision. 

Nearly 58% of Penn State applicants chose not to submit test scores for summer and fall 2021 admission.

The choice was especially popular among first-generation students and students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups, according to Yvonne Gaudelius, interim vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education.

“We hope that, by making the SAT and ACT optional for the next two admissions cycles, we can aid the ability of all students, but especially first-generation students and students from under-represented backgrounds, to apply to Penn State during the pandemic,” Gaudelius said.

After the class with optional tests completes a year at Penn State, in summer 2022, Penn State will exam the students’ performance to measure the utility of test scores during the admission process. Findings might change Penn State’s use of scores in the future. 

Even with the pandemic, applications went up by 8% through all universities this year and by 11% at University Park compared to last year.