When I meet with students and families during college application season, one of the first questions they ask is: “What matters more — GPA or standardized test scores?” It’s a fair question, and the answer has shifted quite a bit over the years. Especially with the rise of test-optional policies and the disruptions caused by the pandemic, many students are left wondering how to present themselves in the strongest light to admissions officers.
Let’s unpack this together — not just from a numbers perspective, but from the human side of admissions. Because your GPA and test scores are more than just digits on a transcript or a score report. They’re signals. And understanding what they signal can help you take control of your narrative, especially if you’re navigating this process as a first-gen, international, or under-resourced student.
The Role of GPA vs Standardized Tests in Admissions
Colleges use GPA and standardized test scores to evaluate academic readiness, but they measure very different things. Your GPA reflects years of work — your consistency, determination, and how well you’ve handled academic challenges over time. Standardized tests, like the SAT or ACT, are snapshots — timed, high-pressure assessments of skills in math, reading, and reasoning.
I always tell students: GPA shows your journey. Test scores show your moment. Both can matter, but not always equally — and not at every school.
Why GPA Typically Carries More Weight
For most colleges, your high school GPA — especially in core and advanced courses — is the single most important academic factor. In fact, NACAC’s report on college admissions trends consistently shows that grades in college-prep courses are ranked as more important than standardized tests.
If you’ve taken AP, IB, or honors classes, admissions officers will consider not just your GPA, but the rigor of your coursework. A 3.8 in all regular classes doesn’t carry the same weight as a 3.5 with challenging classes.
One student I worked with, Maya, had a 3.7 GPA but had taken five AP courses and earned mostly A’s and a few tough B’s in them. Her SAT was below the school average, but colleges saw her transcript and knew she had what it took to thrive. She ended up getting admitted to a highly selective liberal arts college — without submitting test scores at all.
When Test Scores Matter More
That said, test scores can still play a critical role — especially at test-required schools or when you’re applying to highly competitive programs. A strong SAT or ACT score can also help balance out a lower GPA, particularly if your grades dipped early in high school but improved over time.
Take Ethan, for example. He had a rocky freshman year and ended up with a 3.2 GPA overall. But he scored a 1510 on the SAT. That score helped him stand out at several test-required public universities, where GPA and test scores are both used in formulaic admission decisions. It gave him a second chance to show his potential — and it worked.
Some programs also use test scores for scholarship consideration. So even at test-optional schools, submitting a high score can open doors to merit aid you might not get otherwise.
The Rise of Test-Optional and Test-Blind Policies
Since 2020, more than 1,800 colleges have adopted test-optional or test-blind admissions. That’s a game-changer. But it doesn’t mean test scores are irrelevant. The nuance is in how each school implements these policies.
- Test-optional means you can choose whether or not to submit scores. If you don’t, your application will still be considered complete.
- Test-blind means the college won’t look at test scores at all — even if you send them.
For instance, the University of California system is test-blind, while schools like NYU and Northeastern are test-optional. If you’re applying to schools like Harvard or MIT, submitting strong test scores is still encouraged — and often expected.
This is where strategy comes in. If your GPA is strong and your test scores are average or below the school’s median, you might be better off not submitting them. On the other hand, if your GPA is a little shaky but your test scores are stellar, they can tilt the scales in your favor.
How GPA and Test Scores Work Together
Admissions decisions are rarely based on one number. Colleges are looking at your academic profile as a whole — and they’re trying to answer a simple question: Can this student thrive here?
Creating a Balanced Academic Narrative
If your GPA and test scores are both strong, that’s ideal. But many students have imbalances, and that’s okay. What matters is how you explain them.
One of my students, Amina, had a 4.0 GPA but never felt confident with standardized tests. She submitted her application test-optional and used her essay to talk about the learning strategies she developed as a student with ADHD. Her story showed resilience and self-awareness — and she was accepted to three of her top five schools.
In contrast, Josh had a 3.4 GPA but scored a 34 on the ACT. He used that to his advantage by applying to schools where test scores could carry more weight and focused his essays on his growth mindset and upward academic trend.
To build a strong application, make sure your GPA, test scores (if submitted), essays, and recommendation letters all support the narrative of who you are as a learner. If there are gaps or inconsistencies, use the additional information section to explain them.
GPA as a Predictor of College Success
Multiple studies, including those from Stanford researchers, show that high school GPA is a better predictor of college performance than SAT or ACT scores. Why? Because GPA reflects day-to-day habits: attendance, homework, participation, and perseverance.
That’s why many admissions officers consider GPA to be more indicative of how you’ll perform once you’re actually on campus. If you’ve shown you can manage a full course load over several years, that speaks volumes.
FAQ: GPA and Test Scores in Context
Do colleges recalculate GPA?
Yes, many colleges recalculate your GPA using only core academic courses (math, science, English, social studies, foreign language) and sometimes weight AP/IB classes differently. Your school’s grading scale may not match the one the college uses.
If I apply test-optional, will it hurt my chances?
No, not if your other materials are strong. Many schools have admitted large percentages of test-optional applicants. But make sure the rest of your application — including your GPA, essays, and activities — tells a compelling story.
Should I still take the SAT or ACT if my target schools are test-optional?
Yes, in most cases. Taking the test gives you the option to submit scores if they’re strong. If not, you can leave them out. Think of it as giving yourself more flexibility.
What if my GPA is low because of family or personal challenges?
Use the additional information section or your essay to explain. Colleges do consider context. If you’ve overcome obstacles, that resilience can be a powerful part of your story — especially when paired with growth or improvement over time.
Final Thoughts: Your Application Is Bigger Than Numbers
At the end of the day, admissions isn’t a formula. It’s a holistic process. While GPA and standardized test scores are important, they’re just two pieces of a much larger picture. Your essays, your activities, your letters of recommendation, and your voice all matter just as much — sometimes more.
Whether you’re trying to stand out at an Ivy League school or applying to a strong public university, like the Cornell University acceptance rate or University of Michigan, what matters most is how authentically and strategically you present your story.
If you’re unsure whether to submit test scores, how to explain a GPA dip, or how to align your application components, don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor or a trusted advisor. And if you’re just getting started, check out our guide on college application mistakes to avoid — it’ll help you steer clear of common pitfalls.
You are not your GPA. You are not your SAT score. You are a whole person with a story worth telling — and colleges want to hear it. Let that guide you as you shape your application.