William Paterson University will no longer require standardized test scores for most prospective freshmen.

The school announced that SAT and ACT test are now optional to apply for the school – as of fall 2019.

"We felt that as an entry point to the university, their record in high school is the best predictor because it's a record that's based over time,” says Dr. Reginal Ross, vice present of enrollment management at William Paterson.

Ross says that test scores used to account for half of admissions. He says that because of this, students were spending a lot of money on prep sessions for the tests.

"There is an improvement in test scores if you engage in those kinds of practice sessions. The problem is they're very expensive and your average student can't afford that,” says Ross.

The university will now focus on grade point average, the level of classes a student takes and extracurricular activities.

Students who go for nursing and communication disorders degrees or those who apply for merit-based scholarships and Honors College will still have to submit their test scores.

More than 1,000 colleges and universities have already gone test-optional.