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Many U.S. colleges now use test-optional admissions. A frequent claim is that by
not seeing standardized test scores, a college can admit a student body it prefers, say
with more diversity. But how can observing less information improve decisions? This
paper proposes that test-optional policies are a response to social pressure on admission
decisions. We model a college that bears disutility when it makes admission decisions
that 鈥渟ociety鈥� dislikes. Going test optional allows the college to reduce its 鈥渄isagreement
cost鈥�. We analyze how missing scores are imputed and the consequences for the college,
students, and society.
