🏫 College Advising

A university announces it is moving to a "test-optional" policy for the upcoming admissions cycle. How should a college counselor advise a student who has strong grades but achieved a standardized test score slightly below the university's average?

A The student must submit their test scores, as "test-optional" is merely a suggestion.
B The student should refrain from submitting their scores, allowing their strong GPA and other application components to be the primary focus.
C The student should retake the test multiple times until they achieve a score above the average, regardless of other commitments.
D The student should only submit their scores if the university explicitly states it prefers them.

✓ Correct Answer: Option B

In a test-optional policy, students with strong academic profiles but lower-than-average test scores are often advised not to submit them. This allows their GPA, essays, and extracurriculars to take precedence.

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