First and foremost, students with strong standardized test scores tend to have higher admission rates at selective colleges. According to experts, test-optional schools are still admitting more applicants who submit scores versus those who don't. It seems like these institutions may still prefer to see applicants' test results when making admission decisions. So if you put in the work to prepare for the SAT or ACT and feel confident about your abilities, submitting your scores could strengthen your application.

High test scores can also open up opportunities for more college financial aid. Some merit scholarship programs at test-optional institutions still take exam results into consideration when awarding aid packages. Earning a competitive score could qualify you for extra institutional grants and scholarships, making college more affordable. 

Certain types of applicants may especially benefit from taking these tests. For example, international students can use SAT/ACT scores to showcase their academic readiness for American universities that may not be familiar with their home country's educational system. Students with lower high school grades can also leverage strong standardized test scores to demonstrate their potential to handle college-level academics.

While test-optional policies stem from good intentions around making college more equitable and accessible, the reality is that exam results still offer applicants an advantage at many selective schools. Rather than viewing standardized tests as unnecessary hurdles, students can strategically use high SAT/ACT scores to highlight their qualifications and offset any weaknesses in other parts of their application. 

Preparing for these lengthy tests does demand a considerable time commitment and can create stress. However, many free and low-cost test prep options are available both online and within high schools. Taking practice tests helps students grow accustomed to the exam format and pinpoint the content areas they need to study more. Developing effective test-taking strategies can help students maximize their scores. 

At the end of the day, students lose nothing by registering for and putting effort into the SAT or ACT since they can decide later whether to actually submit their scores. Earning a strong score only expands students’ college options by showcasing their academic abilities on metrics that test-optional institutions still value.

Rather than being intimidated by more competitive applicants, students should have faith in their own potential to excel on college entrance exams. Taking the initiative to prepare for and sit for these tests demonstrates ambition, self-motivation, and personal accountability. These are ultimately the intangible qualities that help students thrive in college and beyond.