受今年疫情影響，託福、SAT 等標化考試被頻繁取消，不少學生報名並參加標化考試的計劃被嚴重打亂。
為了減輕疫情等不可抗力對學生正常申請產生的阻礙和給學生們帶來的焦慮，近期，包括哈佛（今天清晨剛剛發出通告）、耶魯等 8 所常春藤院校在內的美國高校紛紛發布通知，宣布2020-2021學年，即 2025 屆將採取 test-optional 政策，允許學生在不提交標化成績的情況下申請入學。
當然，這一政策的宣布並不代表各大高校會因此降低錄取門檻：申請者依然需要照常提交其他申請材料，並且，由於缺少了標化成績這一考核標準，對於申請者而言，必然需要在其他材料上更多地下功夫，來證明自己的實力和錄取資格。
因此，如果能夠正常參加考試，我們還是建議申請者提交其標化考試成績，這也有助於學校全方位地了解申請者的實力，並在此基礎上作出更加客觀的判斷。同時，今年的突發情況也為接下來幾年準備申請的同學敲響了警鐘：申請過程中標化考試的準備宜早不宜遲。
我們來看看這些高校都公布了哪些具體政策。
1、 哈佛大學
Harvard College will allow students to apply for admission to the Class of 2025 without requiring standardized test scores. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has created insurmountable challenges in scheduling tests for all students, particularly those from modest economic backgrounds, and we believe this temporary change addresses these challenges.
Consistent with Harvard’s whole-person admissions process, standardized tests are only one factor among many. Accomplishments in and out of the classroom during the high school years – including community involvement, employment, and help given to students』 families are considered as part of our process. However, students who find themselves limited in the activities they can pursue due to the current coronavirus outbreak will not be disadvantaged as a result, nor will students who are only able to present pass/fail grades or other similar marks on their transcripts this spring.
哈佛大學指出，COVID-19大流行給所有申請者，尤其是那些經濟條件不佳的學生在準備考試時帶來了難以克服的挑戰。為了減輕疫情給學生申請帶來不小障礙，學校在6月15日宣布，將允許學生在不提交標化考試成績的情況下申請入讀2025屆。
當然，哈佛也強調，標化考試成績只是學校在評審學生錄取資格時的眾多考量因素之一。學生在高中階段取得的課內成績及課外成就，包括社區活動在內的多個類目都將被作為評定學生的標準。不過，哈佛也會考慮到當前疫情爆發對學生參加課外活動帶來的不利影響，客觀、靈活地評估學生的申請。
不提交標化考試成績將不會影響學生的申請進程。學校將根據學生提供的已有的申請材料來對作出評估；同時，學校也鼓勵學生們提供任何可以展現他們在中學階段成就以及證明他們未來潛力的其他材料。
哈佛大學還強調，提前輪申請（截止日期為11月1日）和在正常批次申請（截止日期為次年1月1日）的學生不會面臨區別對待，在錄取標準同樣的情況下，學校建議學生無需過度緊張，按照自己正常節奏提交申請即可。此外，由於疫情影響，在必要情況下，學校也會適當延長申請的截止日期，並且接受在截止日期之後獲得的標化考試成績。
對於參加標化考試機會可能更少的國際學生，學校還是希望學生能夠提供相關考試的預期或實際結果。另外，學校的助學金計劃並不會因為疫情和經濟低迷而被取消，學生仍會正常獲得與原先一樣的助學金。
更新時間：2020年6月15日
2、耶魯大學
In response to the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions will temporarily suspend its requirement that first-year applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT.
The change will be in effect during the 2020-2021 admissions cycle for applicants to the Class of 2025. Applicants who are unable to complete an exam or who choose not to report exam scores will not be disadvantaged in the selection process. As announced previously, SAT Subject Tests will not be considered during the 2020-2021 admissions cycle.
This one-year policy change reflects the extraordinary circumstances that students, families, and educators are currently facing. This policy applies only to students graduating from secondary school in the 2020-2021 academic year. Transfer applicants and students who intend to apply for admission to enroll in fall 2022 or later should plan to complete the ACT or SAT by the appropriate deadlines.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions remains committed to a whole-person review process that relies on experienced application readers and a committee of admissions officers, faculty, and deans to consider every applicant’s unique context and circumstances. This commitment extends to Yale’s evaluation of a student’s test scores, when available. For applicants who choose to send scores, the Admissions Committee will continue to view the scores within the context of the student’s entire file; to focus on the highest individual section scores for students who have completed the exam more than once; to accept self-reported scores for the purposes of evaluation; and to take context into account if a student has had limited or no opportunities to complete an exam.
6月12日，耶魯大學本科招生委員會宣布，將暫時中止對第一年申請者提交ACT或SAT成績的要求。同時學校也註明，該政策變化僅對2020-2021學年申請季（即2025屆）的學生有效：因為疫情無法完成標化考試或選擇不提交標化考試成績的申請者將不會受到影響。同時，2020-2021學年申請季的錄取也不會考慮SAT的科目考試。
這項政策不適用於計劃在2022年秋季學期或者之後入學的申請者——之後申請入學的學生仍需在適當的截止日期之前完成ACT或SAT考試。此外，耶魯大學也強調，對於那些選擇提交考試分數的學生，招生委員會仍然會將他們的成績納入評定範圍中。
另外，無論申請者是否提交標化考試成績，在評判申請者的過程中，耶魯招生委員會依然會密切關注學生的高中成績單、推薦信以及其他申請材料。申請委員會會根據現有的最佳信息,靈活但客觀地做出決定。
在提交申請之前已經完成AP考試，IB考試或AICE考試的學生可以選擇在申請中提交其分數，但學校不要求當年入學的學生必須在2020年春季或夏季完成這些考試。
此外，有體育特長的學生運動員將被要求遵守常春藤聯盟的政策並提供考試成績，若學生有特殊情況無法參加標化考試，則需要提供相關證明，學校將根據情況單獨考慮。
更新時間：2020年6月12日
3、布朗大學
Given the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prospective college students and their families across the globe, Brown University has temporarily suspended its standardized test requirement for prospective undergraduates. The submission of SAT or ACT scores will be optional for first-year applicants who apply for admission during the 2020-21 year.
Dean of Admission Logan Powell said that with the ability to register for in-person testing significantly limited, and with no at-home SAT to be offered in Fall 2020, the temporary policy shift will assist prospective students who are contending with the implications of the pandemic during their final years of high school.
Powell said that the Office of College Admission will continue to review SAT or ACT scores submitted by applicants who are able to take the tests, but that those unable to submit scores will face no disadvantage in the admission process. While tests have traditionally been one requirement for undergraduate admission, Brown considers each application holistically and individually, making admissions decisions on a case-by-case basis to build a class that is both academically talented and reflective of the diverse range of perspectives and experiences essential for a world-class learning and research community.
鑑於疫情造成的持續影響，布朗大學在6月12日宣布，學校已經暫時中止對申請者的標化考試成績要求：在2020-2021年申請入學大一年級的學生可以選擇是否提交SAT或ACT分數。這項政策僅適用於2020-2021年這一招生周期。
與先前兩所學校相同，布朗大學也指出，對於照常遞交成績的申請者，他們的成績將會被正常納入評定範圍，而因故無法遞交成績的申請者也不會因此受到不利影響；儘管標化成績是具有參考價值的重要指標，但學校更加注重衡量申請者的綜合能力。
更新時間：2020年6月12日
4、哥倫比亞大學
Due to ongoing standardized testing disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbia is adopting a one year test-optional policy for first-year applicants to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering for the fall of 2021.
If students have completed testing and can submit SAT or ACT results, we encourage them to do so as we believe this information can be a valuable addition in our review process. However, testing is no longer a required component for the first-year 2020-2021 application cycle, and students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged. We will continue to evaluate all submitted information within the holistic and contextual review process that considers individual circumstances shaping each applicant's journey. The rigor of a student’s curriculum, their academic achievement, and their demonstrated intellectual curiosity will remain central to our review.
For students able or who choose to submit testing, Columbia's testing policies remain the same. We accept SAT and ACT scores through November test dates for Early Decision applicants and scores through January for Regular Decision applicants. We will continue to accept self-reported scores and only require official testing for enrolling students. If you were able to take an exam more than once, you will be evaluated on the highest score you received in any individual section of that test. Please note that we are aware that many students, if able to test, could only take a test once. As noted above, that context will be taken into consideration should scores be provided. Standardized testing is only one component in a highly contextualized, multi-layered holistic review.
針對疫情帶來的影響，哥倫比亞大學近日宣布，對於申請2021年秋季入學的哥倫比亞大學或哥倫比亞工程學院的一年級申請者，學校將採取test-optional政策。
當然，如果學生已經參加了考試並取得成績，學校仍然鼓勵學生提交成績，以幫助申請委員會更全面地評判申請者，評判標準將和過去相同；對於無法提交或選擇不提交成績的學生，學校也不會強求。評定申請者的指標除了考試成績外，還包括了學生的過往課程、學業成績和學生展現出的求知慾。
對於選擇在11月提前批次遞交申請的學生，以及選擇在1月常規批次遞交申請的學生，學校將分別接受學生在11月和1月的考試成績。
5、賓夕法尼亞大學
In response to COVID-19, Penn will not require applicants to submit the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests for the 2020-21 application cycle. This applies to first-year and transfer applicants. Applicants who do not submit SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. For international students attending schools where English is not the language of instruction, we continue to require testing that demonstrates English-language proficiency. Students who are able to take the SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests and wish to report them may continue with that plan.
賓大同樣給出了類似的通知。近日，賓大宣布，學校將不會要求申請人提交2020-21申請周期的SAT，ACT或SAT科目考試成績，這一新政策適用於計劃入學大一的申請者和轉學申請者。不提交SAT，ACT或SAT科目考試成績的申請人也不會在錄取過程中受到不利影響。
對於英語非母語的國際生，賓大要求學生繼續要求進行測試以證明其英語水平。能夠參加SAT，ACT或SAT科目考試並希望提交成績的學生可以繼續他們原先的計劃。
6、達特茅斯學院
Dartmouth will not require standardized test scores from students applying for undergraduate admission to the Class of 2025. Vice Provost for Enrollment Lee Coffin announced the decision today on his admissions blog, writing that Dartmouth is enacting a one-year suspension of the testing requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Dartmouth College is now test-optional for the Class of 2025," writes Coffin, who is also dean of admissions and financial aid. "In normal circumstances, standardized testing offers useful statistical context for the holistic evaluation of a student's academic record as well as our essential assessment of preparation for the curriculum we offer. But this moment is not normal."
6月3日，達特茅斯學院宣布，將不要求今年的申請者（2025屆）提交標化考試成績。負責招生的副教務長Lee Coffin在其博客上宣布了這一決定：
「在正常情況下，標化考試為整體評估學生的學業成績以及我們對所提供課程的準備工作起到了幫助，但目前處於非常時期。」
更新時間：6月3日
7、普林斯頓大學
As always, we are committed to a holistic review, in which we look at your whole application, not just the quantitative pieces. Our goal is to build a campus community that enriches the learning of all students. To do that, we must consider not just grades, rigor of curriculum, and testing, but also the less quantitative pieces of an application, including your essays and your recommendation letters. Please also note that 「demonstrated interest」 is not a part of our review, though we encourage you to visit our website and engage in our virtual tour to learn more about the Princeton campus.
The present worldwide health crisis has meant that most high schools, colleges, and universities (Princeton included) have moved to remote learning. In some cases, schools have moved to a pass/fail grading option for this spring semester. Please know that if you decide to apply to Princeton, we will accept whatever grading format your high school used to end this school year. We also recognize that there will be fewer opportunities for students to sit for various tests this year. While our policy has long been that SAT subject tests are recommended but not required, now seems the appropriate time to reiterate that applicants who do not submit subject tests will not be disadvantaged in our process.
近日，在致2025屆申請者的信中，普林斯頓大學宣布，申請者若因故無法遞交標化考試成績，將不會在評估環節收到不利影響。
同時，學校強調，在評估申請的過程中，除了考試成績以外，課程的嚴格程度、申請文書、推薦信等一系列其他材料依然會被全面且嚴格地評判。因此，不要求遞交標化成績並不代表學校會放寬錄取要求。
8、康奈爾大學
The SARS-COV-2 pandemic emergency has led to many SAT and ACT administration cancellations. Due to this extraordinary circumstance, students seeking to enroll at Cornell University beginning in August 2021 can submit their applications without including the results from ACT or SAT exams. This will be true for both the Early Decision and Regular Decision rounds of review.
For those who have taken, or who can take, ACT and SAT exams. Cornell overall has not planned to adopt a test-optional admission policy permanently. As appears to be true at test-optional colleges and universities, we anticipate that many students who will have had reasonable and uninterrupted opportunities to take the ACT and/or SAT during 2020 administrations will continue to submit results, and those results will continue to demonstrate preparation for college-level work.
早在今年四月，康奈爾大學就已經宣布，由於疫情造成考試取消，對於希望在2021年8月入學的申請者，可以在提交申請材料的過程中不把ACT和SAT考試成績包括進去，這一規則適用於提前輪次和正常輪次申請的學生。
學校也表示，這一政策並非永久適用。對於已經參加或能夠參考考試的學生，學校仍然鼓勵他們遞交考試成績。
更新時間：2020年4月