UK makes ACT and SAT optional for 2021-2022 school year

The University of Kentucky is joining other institutions including Harvard and Cornell in telling potential students they don't need to take a standardized test to apply for the next school year.

N-b-a draft later in sports.

Parents and high school upperclassmen...lis ten up.

The university of kentucky is joining other institutions including harvard and cornell...in telling potential students they don't need to take a standardized test to apply for the next school year.

Abc 36's chelsea smith has what you need to know about applying.

Guidance counselor: those students that are not good standarized test takers, this will be a jump for joy for them.

Jumping for joy for one bit of good news...out of a pretty terrible year.

Bath county high school guidance counselor tamela porter says it's been difficult preparing some of her students for college...virtually.

..because a lot of them are cared for by grandparents who don't have good access to... or understanding of... technology.

So uk's decision to drop a-c-t and s-a-t scores will make the process just a little bit easier.

Harper: "regardless whether they have the test score or not we're going to use what benefits them the most."

Chief enrollment officer... christine harper... says if you want to get into a specific college...engineeri ng for example... the university has set a minimum g-p-a you have to meet...if you don't have a test score.

So focus more on your essay...counselors say it'll help you stand out.

Guidance counselor: "that is definitely not a time to be modest."

Even if you still plan on taking the act and sat... porter says get your applications in as soon as possible so you have a better chance at financial aid...then t sults later.

"we'll be looking at when they got their application in as we're going through merit aid awards process."

While uk says a student with a test score won't have an advantage over one who doesn't... counselors say if you can take the test...you still should chelsea smith... abc 36 news.

### ots video tape:right brent spence repairs