Sounds like those that went test optional got pushed to RA
This is not necessarily true.
I had 2 applicants- one went test optional, the other did not.
The one who received an EA appointment went test optional.
The one with an above average ACT score (32, submitted) was deferred to RA.
My observations on application similarities and differences:
Both have very high GPAs (3.95+ unweighted), dual-enrollment
Both 3 sport varsity athletes and state champs in a non-Academy sport
Both considered leaders on their athletic teams and significant volunteer hours
Both attended AIM
Strengths of the one who received an EA appointment:
Very Slightly higher GPA
Slightly higher PFE score
Team captain in fall sport (also recruitable level but not recruited in the fall sport)
Submitted ALL recommendations (other only submitted one additional)
Quality/effort put into the essay submissions (in my opinion this was likely the most significant difference)