With many universities going test optional, many students wonder if they must put in all the effort to take the SAT or ACT. We advise all students to surely take the standardized test as the test is an opportunity to demonstrate strong verbal and math skills. Between two students with similar profiles, with one who has taken the test versus another who has chosen not take the test, an admissions officer will most likely choose the student who has submitted the SAT/ACT score. If you are applying only to California state schools, then you need not take the standardized tests as California schools no longer consider the standardized test scores in their admissions decision.