Compass has compiled the most recently available score range data and admission testing policies for popular colleges and universities, public and private, chosen to represent a wide array of four-year postsecondary institutions in the U.S.Â
The SAT and ACT scores in the table below represent the most recently reported* scores available. The 25th to 75th percentile ranges show the mid-50% of test scores submitted by enrolled students. These scores should not be viewed as cutoffs or qualifying scores as the ranges are often inflated by pandemic-era score submission practices. In fact, withholding scores may suggest much lower performance to admission officers than would your actual score.Â
In early 2024, schools like Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown followed MIT and returned to requiring testing for nearly all applicants. We have compiled recent significant testing policy updates here.
Schools marked with an asterisk (*) are only Test Optional for some students. Schools that are Test Optional for admissions may require or recommend scores for merit scholarships. We track merit award score ranges and testing policies here.
We encourage you to click on a college’s name, which links directly to its testing policy page for the most complete guidance.
| School | Testing Policy | Policy Details | Number of Applicants | Accept Rate | SAT Total 25th–75th Percentile | ACT Total 25th–75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Institute of Technology | Test Required | Caltech requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process. CalTech does not offer merit-based aid. | 16626 | 2.69% | — | — |
| Harvard College | Test Required | Harvard requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process. In exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible, students may submit AP Exam, IB, GCSE/A-Level, or National Leaving Exam Results. | 56937 | 3.45% | 1500–1580 | 34–36 |
| Stanford University | Test Required | Stanford extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. However, they will begin requiring scores for students entering in the fall of 2026. | 53733 | 3.91% | 1500–1560 | 34–35 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Test Required | MIT requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 33767 | 3.96% | 1520–1570 | 35–36 |
| Yale University | Test Required | Yale requires applicants to submit SAT, ACT, or AP/IB scores as part of the admissions process. Yale does not offer merit-based aid. | 51804 | 4.50% | 1500–1560 | 33–35 |
| Brown University | Test Required | Brown requires students submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their admission application. Brown does not offer merit-based aid. | 51316 | 5.23% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
| Dartmouth College | Test Required | Dartmouth requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Dartmouth does not offer merit-based aid. | 28841 | 6.23% | — | — |
| Johns Hopkins University | Test Required | JHU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. However, they will begin requiring scores for students entering in the fall of 2026. | 38294 | 6.28% | 1530–1560 | 34–35 |
| Cornell University | Test Required | Cornell has extended their temporary test optional policy to fall 2025 applicants. However, they will begin requiring scores for students entering in the fall of 2026. Cornell does not offer merit-based aid. | 67846 | 7.90% | 1480–1550 | 33–35 |
| United States Naval Academy | Test Required | USNA requires all applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process. | 14727 | 9.36% | — | — |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Test Required | For fall 2026 applicants, Carnegie Mellon University will require students to submit test scores as part of their application. The College of Fine Arts is the only school that will remain test optional, however portfolios or auditions are still required. The School of Computer Science will only allow SAT or ACT scores. Other schools allow AP, IB, A-Level, or French Baccalaureate in the place of SAT/ACT. | 33707 | 11.40% | 1500–1570 | 34–35 |
| United States Military Academy | Test Required | West Point requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 12559 | 11.95% | 1230–1430 | 27–33 |
| Georgetown University | Test Required | Georgetown requires submission of SAT/ACT scores for admission. Students who apply without scores will be asked to explain why they were unable to take a test. Georgetown does not offer merit-based aid. | 25485 | 13.08% | 1390–1530 | 32–34 |
| United States Air Force Academy | Test Required | USAFA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 8353 | 16.23% | 1320–1470 | 28–33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Test Required | The University System of Georgia requires students to submit an SAT or ACT test score as part of the application. | 52377 | 16.46% | 1330–1510 | 28–34 |
| Florida A&M University | Test Required | FAMU requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 22713 | 21.12% | 1040–1150 | 19–24 |
| University of Florida | Test Required | The University of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 64473 | 23.35% | 1320–1470 | 28–33 |
| Florida State University | Test Required | Florida State University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 74038 | 25.38% | 1250–1380 | 27–31 |
| United States Merchant Maritime Academy | Test Required | USMMA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1531 | 27.37% | — | — |
| University of Texas—Austin | Test Required | UT Austin requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the application for admission. | 66109 | 29.12% | — | — |
| University of Georgia | Test Required | The University System of Georgia requires students to submit an SAT or ACT test score as part of the application. | 43416 | 37.19% | 1230–1410 | 27–32 |
| University of South Florida | Test Required | University of South Florida requries either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 65187 | 40.96% | 1240–1330 | 24–29 |
| University of Central Florida | Test Required | University of Central Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 55210 | 43.39% | 1200–1340 | 25–29 |
| University of Tennessee | Test Required | The University of Tennessee requires SAT/ACT scores as part of the application for admission. | 50488 | 45.99% | 1190–1340 | 25–31 |
| Purdue University—West Lafayette | Test Required | Purdue University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 72800 | 50.28% | 1210–1450 | 27–34 |
| University of Dallas | Test Required | University of Dallas requires first year applicants to submit offical SAT or ACT scores. | 4307 | 58.70% | 1190–1390 | 24–31 |
| Florida International | Test Required | Florida International University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 25034 | 58.84% | 1060–1240 | 20–26 |
| Gallaudet University | Test Required | Gallaudet University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 425 | 60.94% | 770–890 | 14–18 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Test Required | Florida Institute of Technology requires either the SAT or ACT. It generally does not require the optional ACT Writing Test, but it may be required for some applicants. | 15205 | 62.53% | 1120–1310 | 23–28 |
| New College of Florida | Test Required | The New College of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1830 | 75.41% | 1120–1340 | 24–31 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Test Required | Thomas Aquinas College requires requires that applicants take the SAT, the ACT, or the CLT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. Thomas Aquinas College does not offer merit-based aid. | 262 | 84.73% | 1210–1400 | 27–32 |
| University of Memphis | Test Required | UM requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applicants. | 15627 | 93.38% | 930–1180 | 17–24 |
| Columbia University | Test Optional | Columbia offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 57126 | 4.00% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
| University of Chicago | Test Optional | UChicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 38800 | 4.77% | — | — |
| Northeastern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Northeastern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025-26 admission cycle. | 96631 | 5.65% | 1460–1530 | 33–35 |
| Princeton University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Princeton has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. Princeton does not offer merit-based aid. | 38019 | 5.70% | 1510–1570 | 34–35 |
| Duke University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Duke has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 49523 | 5.88% | 1490–1560 | 33–35 |
| Vanderbilt University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Vanderbilt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admission cycle. | 45313 | 6.28% | 1500–1560 | 34–35 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Test Optional (Temporary) | UPenn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 54588 | 6.50% | 1500–1570 | 34–35 |
| Pomona College | Test Optional | Pomona College offers a test optional policy which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 12121 | 6.76% | 1480–1550 | 33–35 |
| Swarthmore College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Swarthmore has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 14287 | 6.94% | 1480–1540 | 33–34 |
| Northwestern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Northwestern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 51769 | 7.22% | 1500–1560 | 33–35 |
| Colby College | Test Optional | Colby College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Colby does not offer merit-based aid. | 16890 | 7.61% | 1430–1540 | 32–34 |
| Barnard College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Barnard College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admissions cycle. Barnard College does not offer merit-based aid. | 11803 | 7.63% | 1450–1520 | 32–34 |
| Rice University | Test Optional | Rice recommends, but does not require, that students submit SAT or ACT test scores with their applications. | 31059 | 7.88% | — | — |
| Bowdoin College | Test Optional | Bowdoin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bowdoin does not offer merit-based aid. | 10966 | 8.02% | 1470–1530 | 33–35 |
| University of California—Los Angeles | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 145910 | 8.73% | — | — |
| New York University | Test Optional (Temporary) | NYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 113578 | 9.41% | 1480–1550 | 33–35 |
| Amherst College | Test Optional | Amherst offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 12727 | 9.82% | 1480–1550 | 31–35 |
| Williams College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Williams has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 11465 | 9.99% | 1480–1550 | 33–35 |
| Tufts University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Tufts has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 34003 | 10.13% | 1470–1530 | 33–35 |
| Middlebury College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Middlebury has extended their temproary, test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. Middlebury does not offer merit-based aid. | 13297 | 10.37% | 1440–1530 | 33–34 |
| Emory University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Emory has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 33255 | 10.65% | 1470–1540 | 32–34 |
| Grinnell College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Grinnell has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2026. | 9997 | 10.76% | 1410–1520 | 31–33 |
| Boston University | Test Optional (Temporary) | BU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 80495 | 10.85% | 1410–1500 | 32–34 |
| Claremont McKenna College | Test Optional (Temporary) | CMC has extended their temporary test optional policy to fall 2025 admission. | 5799 | 11.12% | 1470–1530 | 33–35 |
| University of California—Berkeley | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 125916 | 11.73% | — | — |
| Hamilton College | Test Optional | Hamilton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Hamilton does not offer merit-based aid. | 9643 | 11.77% | 1430–1520 | 32–35 |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Test Optional (Temporary) | Washington University in St. Louis offers a test optional policy. | 32240 | 11.96% | 1500–1570 | 33–35 |
| University of Southern California | Test Optional (Temporary) | USC has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 69062 | 12.02% | 1460–1540 | 32–35 |
| University of Notre Dame | Test Optional (Temporary) | Notre Dame has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 28353 | 12.38% | 1440–1540 | 32–35 |
| Colgate University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Colgate University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admissions cycle. | 21109 | 12.43% | 1420–1510 | 32–34 |
| Haverford College | Test Optional | Haverford offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Haverford does not offer merit-based aid. | 6391 | 12.91% | 1440–1530 | 33–35 |
| Bates College | Test Optional | Bates offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bates does not offer merit-based aid. | 9076 | 13.06% | 1370–1480 | 31–33 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Harvey Mudd has extended their temporary test optional policy through 2025. | 4792 | 13.06% | 1490–1550 | 34–36 |
| Wellesley College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Wellesley College has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025 admission. | 8184 | 13.91% | 1460–1540 | 33–35 |
| Davidson College | Test Optional | Davidson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students who attend non-traditional schools are recommended to submit scores. | 7347 | 14.48% | 1360–1510 | 31–34 |
| Tulane University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Tulane currently offers a test optional policy, which means students are able to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 27936 | 14.59% | 1400–1490 | 31–33 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | Test Optional | USCGA has adopted a test optional policy. While scores are optional, they are encouraged, and students applying without scores are asked to upload a short statement. | 1894 | 15.47% | 1160–1360 | 26–31 |
| Boston College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Boston College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 36537 | 15.59% | 1450–1520 | 33–34 |
| Pitzer College | Test Free (Temporary) | Pitzer has been test optional since 2003. After nearly two decades of test optional admissions, Pitzer College will switch to a test-free admission policy through Fall 2025. | 3464 | 16.66% | — | — |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 57221 | 16.85% | 1360–1510 | 30–34 |
| Denison University | Test Optional | Denison offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 14580 | 16.93% | 1320–1440 | 29–32 |
| Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. International students will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores for the 2020-21 admission cycle. | 14500 | 17.10% | 1300–1500 | 31–34 |
| Washington and Lee University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Washington and Lee has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 6820 | 17.36% | 1410–1530 | 32–35 |
| Vassar College | Test Optional | Vassar offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Vassar College does not offer merit-based aid. | 12145 | 17.73% | 1450–1530 | 33–35 |
| University of Michigan—Ann Arbor | Test Optional | The University of Michigan offers a test optional policy. | 87632 | 17.94% | 1350–1530 | 31–34 |
| University of Miami | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Miami has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 48286 | 18.51% | 1340–1450 | 30–33 |
| University of Virginia | Test Optional (Temporary) | UVA has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 50926 | 18.66% | 1400–1540 | 32–34 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Test Optional | Rhode Island School of Design offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are still required to submit test scores. | N/A | 19.00% | — | — |
| Smith College | Test Optional | Smith College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9868 | 19.73% | 1430–1520 | 32–34 |
| Babson College | Test Optional | Babson has adopted a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7995 | 20.00% | 1430–1510 | 32–34 |
| Colorado College | Test Optional | Colorado College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7532 | 20.03% | 1380–1500 | 31–34 |
| Hillsdale College | Test Optional | Hillsdale College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | — | 21.00% | 1350–1490 | 30–33 |
| College of the Holy Cross | Test Optional | The College of the Holy Cross offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8670 | 21.10% | 1270–1420 | 28–32 |
| University of California—Irvine | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 119199 | 21.27% | — | — |
| Wake Forest University | Test Optional | Wake Forest offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 17479 | 21.56% | 1410–1500 | 32–34 |
| Carleton College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Carleton College has extended their temporary test optional to Fall 2025 admissions. | 6464 | 22.28% | 1440–1530 | 32–34 |
| The Cooper Union | Test Optional (Temporary) | Cooper Union has extended their temporary test optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants, to Fall 2025. | 1508 | 22.28% | 1380–1530 | 32–35 |
| Skidmore College | Test Optional | Skidmore College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12144 | 22.92% | 1320–1440 | 30–33 |
| University of Richmond | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Richmond has extended their temporary test optional policy to fall 2025 admissions. | 15121 | 23.31% | 1430–1510 | 32–34 |
| Villanova University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Villanova has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 23835 | 23.39% | 1390–1480 | 32–34 |
| University of California—San Diego | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 130845 | 24.76% | — | — |
| Reed College | Test Free (Temporary) | Reed has extended their temporary test free admission policy to the Fall 2025 period. | 10045 | 27.16% | 1320–1480 | 29–34 |
| University of California—Santa Barbara | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 110876 | 27.78% | — | — |
| Trinity University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Trinity University has extended their test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 11425 | 28.16% | 1290–1440 | 29–33 |
| Macalester College | Test Optional | Macalester College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Macalester recommends that homeschooled students and students who attend high schools that do not provide grades submit SAT or ACT scores. | 8099 | 28.21% | 1350–1480 | 30–33 |
| Case Western Reserve University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Case Western offers a test optional policy. | 39039 | 28.67% | 1440–1530 | 32–35 |
| Lehigh University | Test Optional | Lehigh offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 18415 | 29.26% | 1370–1480 | 31–33 |
| California State Polytechnic University—San Luis Obispo | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 63955 | 29.65% | 1230–1420 | 27–32 |
| Kenyon College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Kenyon has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 semester. | 8218 | 30.71% | 1380–1480 | 31–34 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Test Optional | Bryn Mawr offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3278 | 31.06% | 1320–1460 | 30–33 |
| Lafayette College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Lafayette College extended their temporary test optional policy to the fall 2026 term. | 9874 | 31.47% | 1350–1470 | 30–33 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Test Optional | Franklin and Marshall College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Franklin and Marshall does not offer merit-based aid. | 9231 | 31.83% | 1330–1430 | 29–32 |
| Bucknell University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bucknell University adopted a five-year, test optional policy for first-year students, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. Bucknell will use the five-year pilot period to assess the patterns of success for test score submitters and non-submitters. | 11010 | 32.01% | 1170–1360 | 25–32 |
| Berea College | Test Optional | Berea College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2073 | 32.71% | — | — |
| College of William and Mary | Test Optional | William and Mary offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 17548 | 32.72% | 1370–1510 | 32–34 |
| Scripps College | Test Optional | Scripps offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3082 | 33.94% | 1430–1510 | 32–34 |
| Spelman College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Spelman has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 10610 | 34.09% | 1050–1250 | 21–27 |
| San Diego State University | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 83190 | 34.18% | — | — |
| Oberlin College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Oberlin College has extended their temporary test optional policy for first-time, international, and homeschooled to the 2025–26 application year. | 10597 | 34.34% | 1340–1460 | 30–34 |
| Brandeis University | Test Optional | Brandeis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11282 | 35.33% | 1400–1500 | 31–34 |
| University of Rochester | Test Optional | The University of Rochester offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 21680 | 35.85% | 1410–1510 | 31–34 |
| Trinity College (Hartford) | Test Optional | Trinity offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6220 | 36.14% | 1320–1460 | 30–32 |
| Binghamton University—SUNY | Test Optional | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 49519 | 37.73% | 1350–1470 | 30–33 |
| Connecticut College | Test Optional | Connecticut College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9397 | 38.28% | 1170–1370 | 27–32 |
| Mount Holyoke College | Test Optional | Mount Holyoke College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5030 | 38.29% | 1360–1470 | 31–33 |
| Southwestern University | Test Optional | Southwestern University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 6585 | 39.07% | 1180–1320 | 23–30 |
| North Carolina State University—Raleigh | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 39822 | 39.55% | 1280–1430 | 25–31 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Hampden-Sydney College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 period. | 3262 | 39.79% | 1040–1310 | 23–29 |
| Occidental College | Test Optional | Oxy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6573 | 39.89% | 1370–1470 | 31–34 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Test Optional (Temporary) | LMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 23361 | 40.29% | 1280–1430 | 29–33 |
| Rollins College | Test Optional | Rollins offers a test optional policy ("test scores waived option"), which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the 3/2 Accelerated Management Program or the Honors Degree Program must submit test scores. | 9797 | 40.56% | 1210–1360 | 26–31 |
| American University | Test Optional | American University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 19510 | 40.63% | 1290–1420 | 29–32 |
| University of California—Davis | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 94635 | 41.85% | — | — |
| University of Washington—Seattle | Test Optional | The University of Washington—Seattle offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 62428 | 42.53% | 1280–1490 | 30–34 |
| Texas Christian University | Test Optional (Temporary) | TCU has extended their temporary test optional policy through 2025. | 20517 | 42.60% | 1160–1370 | 26–31 |
| Emerson College | Test Optional | Emerson College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12109 | 42.75% | 1280–1410 | 30–32 |
| Clemson University | Test Optional | Clemson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 52819 | 42.98% | 1230–1400 | 26–31 |
| Dickinson College | Test Optional | Dickinson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7185 | 43.08% | 1290–1410 | 29–32 |
| Syracuse University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Syracuse extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 46357 | 43.12% | 1280–1410 | 28–32 |
| University of Wisconsin—Madison | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Wisiconsin—Madison has extended its temporary test optional policy to the spring 2027 term. | 63537 | 43.32% | 1370–1490 | 28–32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Stevens Institute of Technology has extended their temporary test optional policy, with some exceptions, for Fall 2026. However, students applying to the Accelerated Pre-Medicine or Pre-Law programs are required to submit scores. | 14170 | 43.44% | 1380–1490 | 31–34 |
| George Washington University | Test Optional* | George Washington University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants applying to the accelerated Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and recruited NCAA Division 1 athletes are not eligible for test optional admission (unless allowed by the NCAA). | 27094 | 43.54% | 1360–1480 | 31–34 |
| University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | Test Optional | University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign offers a test optional oplicy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 67398 | 43.69% | 1350–1510 | 30–34 |
| Union College (NY) | Test Optional | Union College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and those applying for the Leadership in Medicine program or the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9295 | 43.79% | 1330–1460 | 30–33 |
| University of Maryland—College Park | Test Optional (Temporary) | UMD has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 application cycle. | 59369 | 44.84% | 1380–1510 | 32–35 |
| Fairfield University | Test Optional | Fairfield University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 15463 | 44.98% | 1250–1370 | 29–32 |
| Truman State University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Truman State University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 semester. Students applying to the nursing major must submit scores. Test scores are also required to be eligible for some scholarships or programs. | 4912 | 45.05% | 1070–1330 | 23–29 |
| Hampton University | Test Optional* | Hampton University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.3+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 15035 | 45.10% | 840–1220 | 17–27 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Illinois Wesleyan offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6128 | 45.17% | 1140–1330 | 24–29 |
| University of San Diego | Test Free (Temporary) | University of San Diego has extended their temporary test free policy to the Fall 2025 semester. | 15924 | 46.80% | — | — |
| California State University—Long Beach | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 79657 | 47.14% | — | — |
| Gettysburg College | Test Optional | Gettysburg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Gettysburg recommends that both international and homeschooled students submit SAT or ACT scores. | 7122 | 47.50% | 1240–1460 | 27–32 |
| CUNY—Hunter | Test Free (Temporary) | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy through Spring 2027. | 33913 | 47.80% | — | — |
| Bennington College | Test Optional | Bennington has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 2825 | 48.04% | 1310–1400 | 30–32 |
| Bentley University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bentley University has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025. | 10482 | 48.44% | 1270–1390 | 29–32 |
| Providence College | Test Optional | Providence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 12469 | 48.72% | 1100–1300 | 25–30 |
| Stony Brook University—SUNY | Test Optional | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 50341 | 49.01% | 1330–1470 | 28–33 |
| Rhodes College | Test Optional | Rhodes offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7438 | 49.19% | 1310–1470 | 27–31 |
| CUNY—Baruch College | Test Free (Temporary) | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy through Spring 2027. | 25671 | 49.54% | 960–1420 | — |
| University of Pittsburgh | Test Optional (Temporary) | Pitt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 58416 | 49.70% | 1270–1450 | 29–33 |
| Pepperdine University | Test Optional | Pepperdine offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 12457 | 49.85% | 1250–1440 | 26–32 |
| St. John's College—Annapolis | Test Optional | St. John's College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who will not earn high school diplomas are not eligible for test optional admission. Most international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 983 | 49.95% | 1250–1460 | 30–33 |
| Whitman College | Test Optional | Whitman College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 6185 | 49.99% | 1290–1470 | 27–33 |
| Clark University | Test Optional | Clark University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8787 | 50.32% | 1260–1430 | 28–33 |
| Auburn University | Test Optional* | Auburn requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, applicants with a 3.6+ GPA may apply test-optional. | 48179 | 50.47% | 1240–1360 | 25–31 |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Ohio Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5708 | 50.67% | — | — |
| Sewanee: University of the South | Test Optional | Sewanee—The University of the South offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5018 | 50.90% | 1230–1360 | 27–31 |
| Baylor University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Baylor has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools that only provide narrative evaluations, and students who graduate high school early are not eligible for test optional admissions. | 39767 | 50.97% | 1160–1340 | 25–31 |
| Howard University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Howard University has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 19537 | 51.90% | 1060–1270 | 20–26 |
| Santa Clara University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Santa Clara University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 terms. | 16650 | 52.11% | 1300–1470 | 29–33 |
| St. Olaf College | Test Optional | St. Olaf College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5956 | 52.15% | 1260–1450 | 28–32 |
| California State University—Fresno | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 19935 | 52.19% | — | — |
| Furman University | Test Optional | Furman University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8406 | 52.57% | 1280–1410 | 28–32 |
| Ohio State University—Columbus | Test Optional (Temporary) | OSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 65189 | 52.72% | — | — |
| Pratt Institute | Test Optional | Pratt offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 8281 | 53.17% | 1240–1410 | 26–32 |
| Michigan Technological University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Michigan Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 semester for students whose GPA is 3.0+. | 20565 | 53.17% | 1120–1330 | 25–31 |
| DePauw University | Test Optional | DePauw University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who wish to apply for an Honor Scholar or Fellows program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7197 | 54.06% | 1140–1430 | 26–31 |
| Fordham University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Fordham University has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025 admissions. | 47203 | 54.13% | 1330–1460 | 30–33 |
| Pennsylvania State University—University Park | Test Optional (Temporary) | Penn State has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 85957 | 54.22% | 1230–1390 | 27–32 |
| The College of Wooster | Test Optional | The College of Wooster offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 7031 | 54.32% | 1280–1430 | 27–32 |
| University of Connecticut | Test Optional (Temporary) | UConn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 40894 | 54.51% | 1220–1440 | 28–33 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Test Optional | Illinois Tech offers a test optional policy. | 8912 | 55.42% | 1190–1400 | 25–31 |
| Chapman University | Test Optional | Chapman offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who graduate from schools without traditional grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 15914 | 55.61% | 1260–1420 | 28–32 |
| Soka University of America | Test Optional | Soka University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 498 | 56.63% | 1280–1410 | 26–27 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Virginia Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025. | 47207 | 57.03% | 1240–1420 | 27–32 |
| Birmingham-Southern College | Test Optional | Birmingham-Southern College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who select test optional admission are required to have an interview with an admissions counselor. | 3019 | 57.17% | 1150–1260 | 22–29 |
| New School | Test Optional | The New School offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9524 | 57.18% | — | — |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Test Optional | Hobart and William Smith Colleges offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5560 | 57.28% | 1230–1360 | 26–32 |
| Beloit College | Test Optional | Beloit offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3914 | 57.36% | 1250–1380 | 26–31 |
| University of Massachusetts—Amherst | Test Optional | UMass Amherst offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 50424 | 57.77% | 1310–1460 | 29–33 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Test Optional | Mines offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 10886 | 58.00% | 1340–1460 | 30–33 |
| John Brown University | Test Optional | JBU offers a test optional admission policy. However, some international students may be required to submit scores. | 1442 | 58.39% | 1100–1360 | 21–28 |
| St. Lawrence University | Test Optional | St. Lawrence offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5367 | 58.47% | 1260–1400 | 29–32 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | RPI has extended their temporary test optional police to the fall 2025 semester. However, students applying to the Physician-Scientist Program will be required to submit the appropriate testing. | 15950 | 58.50% | 1370–1490 | 31–34 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Test Free (Temporary) | WPI has adopted an eight year test free policy, which means the university does not accept scores in the application process, beginning with the Fall 2021 application cycle. | 11809 | 58.50% | — | — |
| Drury University | Test Optional | Drury University offers a test optional policy, which allows domestic students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2631 | 58.76% | 1040–1330 | 23–28 |
| Sarah Lawrence College | Test Optional | Sarah Lawrence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4819 | 58.93% | 1250–1400 | 29–33 |
| Marist College | Test Optional | Marist College offers a test optional policy, offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students applying to some programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11000 | 59.09% | 1220–1350 | 27–32 |
| Lake Forest College | Test Optional | Lake Forest College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants must complete an interview. Homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4811 | 59.41% | 1190–1370 | 28–31 |
| University of Vermont | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Vermont has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2026. | 30231 | 59.79% | 1280–1420 | 28–32 |
| Bard College | Test Optional | Bard College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5161 | 59.99% | 1290–1470 | 28–33 |
| Morehouse College | Test Optional | Morehouse offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 5221 | 60.01% | — | 18–25 |
| Wofford College | Test Optional | Wofford College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4425 | 60.18% | — | — |
| Hendrix College | Test Optional | Hendrix College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students who are native speakers of English are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2729 | 60.28% | 1130–1340 | 23–31 |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Test Optional | MSOE offers a test optional policy. | 6032 | 60.38% | 1170–1370 | 25–30 |
| Georgia State | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Georgia State with a 3.4+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 28127 | 60.59% | 960–1170 | 19–26 |
| Biola University | Test Optional | Biola University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3958 | 60.64% | 1150–1350 | 24–30 |
| Southern Methodist University | Test Optional | SMU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 15092 | 61.22% | 1340–1470 | 30–34 |
| University of California—Santa Cruz | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 68750 | 61.28% | — | — |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Test Optional | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2018 | 61.40% | 1120–1310 | 23–29 |
| University of South Carolina | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of South Carolina has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025 admissions. | 46682 | 61.49% | 1190–1370 | 26–32 |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Test Optional | Gustavus Adolphus College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4450 | 61.80% | — | 25–31 |
| University of Dayton | Test Optional | The University of Dayton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 22485 | 61.83% | 1180–1350 | 24–30 |
| The College of New Jersey | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The College of New Jersey has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. However, test scores are required for Nursing students and the Accelerated Seven-Year Medical School opportunities. | 11668 | 62.14% | 1150–1330 | 25–37 |
| Centre College | Test Optional | Centre College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 2746 | 62.35% | 1200–1470 | — |
| Wabash College | Test Optional | Wabash offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 1897 | 62.78% | 1100–1290 | 24–29 |
| Lawrence University | Test Optional | Lawrence University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3489 | 63.03% | 1230–1420 | 27–32 |
| Texas A&M University—College Station | Test Optional | Texas A&M offers a test optional policy. | 51108 | 63.10% | 1150–1370 | 25–31 |
| SUNY—Geneseo | Test Optional | SUNY-Geneseo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 13479 | 63.53% | 1200–1330 | 25–27 |
| Yeshiva University | Test Optional* | Yeshiva offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for regular admission without SAT/AC scores. However, honors applicants are required to submit scores. | 1713 | 63.75% | 1330–1470 | 28–33 |
| Allegheny College | Test Optional | Allegheny College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4492 | 63.82% | 1030–1310 | 25–31 |
| Muhlenberg College | Test Optional | Muhlenberg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4348 | 64.01% | 1230–1390 | 28–31 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Daytona Beach | Test Optional | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students must provide SAT or ACT scores and show academic strength through AP Exams. | 9825 | 64.85% | 1140–1330 | 23–30 |
| Washington College | Test Optional | Washington College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and internantional applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2576 | 65.37% | 1200–1330 | 25–30 |
| University of Texas—Dallas | Test Optional | UTD offers a test optional policy. | 29366 | 65.46% | 1180–1400 | 25–32 |
| Drake University | Test Optional | Drake University offers a test optional policy, which it refers to as a "test-flexible" plan, which allows students to either write an essay or sit for an interview in lieu of submitting test scores. However, homeschooled students, as well as applicants to certain programs, are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7579 | 65.50% | 1220–1370 | 24–30 |
| Concordia College—Moorhead | Test Optional | Concordia College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3774 | 65.53% | 1410–1410 | 21–28 |
| Abilene Christian University | Test Optional | ACU offers a test optional policy. However, only students who submit test scores will be considered for the honors college and elligible for some scholarships. | 11226 | 65.79% | 1030–1250 | 20–27 |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—New Brunswick | Test Optional | Rutgers—New Brunswick offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 41654 | 66.29% | 1270–1460 | 28–33 |
| Lipscomb University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Lipscomb University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 term. | 4230 | 66.67% | 1110–1290 | 20–28 |
| University of Alaska—Anchorage | Test Optional | University of Alaska, Anchorage offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3900 | 66.69% | 990–1220 | 19–25 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | NJIT has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024. | 13993 | 66.90% | 1210–1470 | 25–32 |
| Presbyterian College (SC) | Test Optional | Presbyterian College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3359 | 66.92% | 1080–1280 | 12–27 |
| Elon University | Test Optional* | Elon offers a test optional policy. However, students applying to the Nursing, Accelerated Pathways to PA and DPT and the Accelerated 3+1 Business Dual-Degree programs are required to submit scores. Nursing applicants must have a minimum SAT score of 1100 and ACT 22. Home-schooled applicants and students attending U.S. high schools that do not issue letter grades are required to submit standardized test scores for admission and scholarship consideration. | 18791 | 67.31% | 1200–1360 | 26–31 |
| Agnes Scott College | Test Optional | Agnes Scott College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1857 | 67.64% | 1170–1330 | 26–31 |
| Augustana College | Test Optional | Augustana College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants may be asked to complete an interview. However, homeschooled applicants and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7424 | 67.65% | 1020–1240 | 21–28 |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Test Optional | Queens University of Charlotte offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, though they encourage applicants to submit scores. | 4357 | 67.68% | 1130–1280 | 24–29 |
| Stonehill College | Test Free (Temporary) | Stonehill College has has extended their temporary test free policy to Fall 2025. | 6961 | 67.69% | 1120–1290 | 24–29 |
| University of North Georgia | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to UNG with a 3.0+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 10169 | 67.72% | 1040–1220 | 19–25 |
| St. John Fisher University | Test Optional | Fisher offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4600 | 67.80% | 1120–1270 | 24–29 |
| University of North Carolina—Wilmington | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 16860 | 68.83% | 1220–1370 | 24–29 |
| University of Tulsa | Test Optional* | University of Tulsa offers a test optional policy, however, test scores are strongly encouraged. Applicants to the Early Careers in Medicine program are required to submit scores. | 12042 | 69.18% | 1070–1350 | 21–30 |
| Kennesaw State University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Kennesaw State with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 23138 | 69.18% | 1030–1220 | 19–25 |
| Brigham Young University—Provo | Test Optional (Temporary) | BYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Winter 2027 term. | 11006 | 69.19% | 1290–1440 | 28–32 |
| University at Buffalo—SUNY | Test Optional | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 38210 | 69.30% | 1210–1380 | 27–32 |
| University of Hawai'i at MƒÅnoa | Test Optional | University of Hawai'i offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. However, please note that scholarships or department direct entry programs may require test scores for consideration. | 19217 | 69.67% | — | — |
| University of Houston | Test Optional* | University of Houston requires the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class or have a 3.45+ GPA. | 30237 | 69.74% | 1160–1320 | 23–28 |
| University at Albany—SUNY | Test Optional | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 30740 | 69.87% | 1140–1310 | 23–29 |
| Berry College | Test Optional | Berry College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without standardized test scores. | 5220 | 69.94% | 1100–1270 | 23–29 |
| Ithaca College | Test Optional | Ithaca College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 12007 | 69.94% | 1210–1330 | 27–31 |
| Saint Louis University | Test Optional | Saint Louis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 15047 | 70.05% | — | — |
| University of California—Riverside | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 56883 | 70.38% | — | — |
| Siena College | Test Optional | Siena College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants must meet certain academic requirements to apply test optional. Additionally, applicants to select programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8992 | 70.57% | 1110–1350 | 26–29 |
| Hofstra University | Test Optional | Hofstra Univeristy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 22890 | 70.59% | 1220–1360 | 27–31 |
| University of Denver | Test Optional | University of Denver offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 19214 | 70.67% | 1220–1370 | 28–32 |
| Hollins University | Test Optional | Hollins offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 2992 | 70.86% | 1110–1310 | 23–29 |
| Texas Tech University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Texas Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 entry terms. | 34020 | 70.89% | 1100–1260 | 22–28 |
| University of Akron | Test Optional | The University of Akron offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 14982 | 70.91% | 960–1190 | 18–25 |
| Oklahoma State University | Test Optional | Oklahoma State University offers a test optional policy. However, test scores are required for most university scholarships. | 19612 | 70.93% | 1020–1230 | 20–27 |
| Knox College | Test Optional | Knox College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4136 | 71.06% | 1200–1370 | 21–30 |
| Austin College | Test Optional | Austin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3435 | 71.12% | 1120–1290 | 24–31 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Test Optional | Rochester Institute of Technology offers a test optional policy, which allows students applying to most programs to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students applying to imaging science, motion picture science, and photographic sciences within the College of Art & Design must still provide test scores | 24071 | 71.14% | 1290–1440 | 29–33 |
| University of San Francisco | Test Optional | University of San Francisco offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 23103 | 71.18% | 1230–1390 | 27–31 |
| Coe College | Test Optional* | Coe College requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement if you have a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 7481 | 71.50% | 1080–1280 | 22–28 |
| Ball State | Test Optional | Ball State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 28668 | 71.60% | 1080–1250 | 25–30 |
| University of Arkansas—Fayetteville | Test Optional* | The University of Arkansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. Applicants with a 3.2+ GPA may apply test optional, however, they are required to submit scores for enrollment. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 28172 | 71.67% | 1050–1220 | 21–28 |
| College of Charleston | Test Optional | College of Charleston is test optional. | 26683 | 72.00% | 1150–1290 | 24–29 |
| Creighton University | Test Optional | Creighton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the nursing program and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7222 | 72.43% | 1230–1400 | 24–30 |
| University of North Texas | Test Optional* | University of North Texas requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 36807 | 72.46% | 1000–1220 | 19–27 |
| Missouri University of Science & Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Missouri S&T has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 8181 | 73.07% | 1160–1350 | 25–31 |
| California State Polytechnic University—Pomona | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 46241 | 73.11% | — | — |
| Drew University | Test Optional | Drew University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3989 | 73.15% | 1120–1300 | 24–30 |
| Luther College | Test Optional | Luther College offers a test optional policy. However, who do not meet the minimum academic requirements may be asked to provide additional transcripts, test scores, educator references, or essays. | 2447 | 73.27% | 1100–1310 | 22–29 |
| DePaul University | Test Optional | DePaul University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 32176 | 73.53% | 1070–1290 | — |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Test Free* | Rutgers—Newark offers a test free policy, which means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores as part of the admission process. However, applicants to the 7-year BA/MD joint program are required to submit scores. | 14935 | 73.94% | 1060–1290 | 21–30 |
| Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge | Test Optional* | LSU requires SAT or ACT scores, however students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA on core classes or 18 early college credits with a 2.5 GPA may apply without test scores. | 42558 | 74.00% | 1150–1300 | 24–29 |
| University of Delaware | Test Optional | University of Delaware offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 35228 | 74.09% | 1210–1350 | 26–31 |
| Earlham College | Test Optional | Earlham offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1765 | 74.22% | 1200–1330 | 23–30 |
| Mercer University | Test Optional* | Mercer University requires test scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 3.5+ are able to apply test optional. | 7586 | 74.39% | 1210–1340 | 26–31 |
| Lewis & Clark College | Test Optional | Lewis and Clark offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Prior to the 2020-21 admission cycle, students who chose not to submit standardized test scores had to submit an academic portfolio in lieu of scores. However, students will no longer be required to submit a portfolio. | 6334 | 74.53% | 1230–1390 | 29–31 |
| Clarkson University | Test Optional | Clarkson University offers a test optional policy. | 7011 | 74.58% | 1190–1370 | 25–32 |
| Goucher College | Test Optional | Goucher College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3414 | 74.63% | 1100–1320 | 26–30 |
| Seton Hall University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Seton Hall has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 25732 | 75.06% | — | — |
| University of La Verne | Test Optional | University of La Verne offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5984 | 75.10% | 970–1300 | 18–25 |
| Elmhurst College | Test Optional | Elmhurst offers a test optional policy. Students who choose to apply TO will be required to submit an essay. | 6264 | 75.70% | 1060–1250 | 24–28 |
| University of Alabama | Test Optional (Temporary) | Bama has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 58418 | 75.82% | 1120–1370 | 22–30 |
| Gonzaga University | Test Optional | Gonzaga University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. | 9530 | 75.96% | 1230–1400 | 26–31 |
| University of Puget Sound | Test Optional | Puget Sound offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5568 | 75.99% | 1220–1380 | 27–31 |
| Taylor University | Test Optional | Taylor University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students who choose not to submit scores may be asked to provide more information or complete proficiency exams. | 2076 | 76.11% | 1070–1320 | 23–30 |
| James Madison University | Test Optional | James Madison University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 35750 | 76.25% | 1180–1310 | 23–29 |
| Mississippi State University | Test Optional | Mississippi State offers a test optional policy. While SAT and ACT scores are not required for admission, they are recommended for scholarship consideration. | 20877 | 76.32% | 1110–1410 | 21–29 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Test Optional | Loyola University Maryland offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 10162 | 76.33% | 1200–1340 | 27–32 |
| University of Rhode Island | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Rhode Island has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 25481 | 76.39% | 1140–1300 | 25–30 |
| Bradley University | Test Optional | Bradley University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 10138 | 76.66% | 1050–1290 | 25–32 |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Test Optional | Baldwin Wallace University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home schooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4384 | 76.85% | 1050–1270 | 20–27 |
| University of Missouri | Test Optional (Temporary) | Mizzou has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 21669 | 77.02% | 1150–1330 | 23–29 |
| University of Nebraska—Lincoln | Test Optional* | The University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, it will waive this requriement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top half of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 18354 | 77.07% | 1090–1310 | 22–28 |
| University of North Dakota | Test Optional | University of North Dakota offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 7437 | 77.09% | 1130–1270 | 20–26 |
| Wheaton College (MA) | Test Optional | Wheaton College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Wheaton encourages students whose first language is not English to submit their SAT or ACT scores along with the required English proficiency testing. | 3580 | 77.09% | 1180–1340 | 25–31 |
| University of Oklahoma | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Oklahoma has adopted a five-year test optional policy beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. Test scores are encouraged for scholarship consideration. | 22157 | 77.16% | 1150–1310 | 23–29 |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | Test Optional | Saint Mary's College of Maryland has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with non-traditional academic transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2934 | 77.30% | 1130–1350 | 28–30 |
| University of Minnesota—Twin Cities | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Minnesota—Twin Cities has extended their temporary test optional policy to the fall 2027 term. | 34699 | 77.47% | 1330–1460 | 27–31 |
| Adelphi University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Adelphi University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2027–28 admissions cycle. | 17135 | 77.53% | — | — |
| Drexel University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Drexel has extended their temporary test optional policy to the fall 2025 term. | 40204 | 77.53% | 1250–1410 | 27–33 |
| University of New Mexico | Test Optional | UNM offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home-schooled and non-traditional students are not eligible for TO admission. Scores are also necessary for some scholarships. | 13631 | 78.32% | 910–1150 | 19–26 |
| Carroll College | Test Optional* | Carroll College requires either the SAT or ACT, however it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ unweighted GPA. Students who are homeschooled, wish to apply to Direct Entry Nursing, or wish to participate in intercollegiate atheletics are not elligible for test optional admission. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 2709 | 78.33% | 1070–1270 | 22–28 |
| University of Illinois—Chicago | Test Optional | UIC offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 25420 | 78.50% | 1070–1300 | 24–31 |
| High Point University | Test Optional | High Point University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students seeking some merit scholarship or those who wish to be placed in the Honors Program need to submit test scores. | 12446 | 78.88% | 1100–1280 | 23–29 |
| University of Idaho | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University of Idahos requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, applicants through 2025 may apply test-optional with a 2.6+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 12222 | 79.09% | 950–1200 | 20–29 |
| Cornell College | Test Optional | Cornell College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Students who apply test optional are expected to respond to two additional written prompts on their applications, and to submit portfolios. | 3057 | 79.33% | 1210–1320 | 23–30 |
| Kalamazoo College | Test Optional | Kalamazoo College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3564 | 79.83% | 1200–1370 | 26–32 |
| University of North Carolina—Charlotte | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 22698 | 80.21% | 1170–1210 | 21–27 |
| San Jose State University | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 35780 | 80.23% | 1070–1320 | 22–28 |
| Indiana University—Bloomington | Test Optional | Indiana University—Bloomington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems are not eligible for test optional admission. | 54279 | 80.37% | 1180–1380 | 27–32 |
| Hope College | Test Optional | Hope College offers a test optional policy. | 5150 | 80.47% | 1090–1330 | 25–31 |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Test Optional | Pacific Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from schools with written evaluations rather than grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Applicants to the nursing program, students interested in teaching, and international applicants strongly encouraged to submit scores. | 4139 | 80.53% | 990–1290 | 21–27 |
| Willamette University | Test Optional | Willamette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3995 | 80.60% | 1240–1420 | 27–33 |
| University of Texas—Arlington | Test Optional | UTA is test score optional for admission. However, test scores can help in determining admissions decisions, scholarship opportunities, and Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemptions. | 21963 | 80.80% | 1000–1240 | 18–26 |
| Hanover College | Test Optional | Hanover College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2848 | 81.00% | 1070–1220 | 23–29 |
| St. Mary's College (IN) | Test Optional | Saint Mary's College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2376 | 81.14% | 1040–1260 | 23–29 |
| Ripon College | Test Optional | Ripon College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2142 | 81.33% | 990–1170 | 19–27 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Test Optiona* | Eastern Michigan University requires SAT or ACT scores as part of the application. However, student with a 2.75+ GPA are permitted to apply test optional. | 20351 | 81.35% | 910–1150 | 18–26 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Test Optional | Loyola University Chicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. However, students applying for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing and Engineering Science programs will still be required to submit a self-reported test score as part of the requirement for review. | 40468 | 81.39% | 1210–1370 | 24–30 |
| University of Colorado—Boulder | Test Optional | University of Colorado—Boulder offers a test optional admission policy. | 57340 | 81.43% | 1160–1380 | 27–32 |
| Washington and Jefferson College | Test Optional | Washington and Jefferson College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 3218 | 81.54% | 1030–1250 | 18–29 |
| West Virginia University | Test Optional | WVU has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 18639 | 81.61% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
| Virginia Military Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | VMI has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 application cycle. | 1171 | 81.73% | 1050–1260 | 22–28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Test Optional | PLNU does not require an SAT or ACT score for admission. Some merit aid at PLNU does still require a test score to be awarded. | 3065 | 81.76% | 1170–1380 | 22–30 |
| Wayne State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | WSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 15229 | 81.82% | 940–1200 | 21–27 |
| University of Redlands | Test Optional | University of Redlands offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3872 | 81.87% | 1110–1280 | 25–30 |
| Westmont College | Test Optional | Westmont College offers a test otional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2326 | 81.99% | 1220–1420 | 30–33 |
| Samford University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Samford University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 term. | 4541 | 82.23% | 1070–1260 | 23–29 |
| Oregon State University | Test Optional | Oregon State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 25651 | 82.53% | 1130–1380 | 22–30 |
| Simmons University | Test Optional | Simmons University offers a test optional policy. | 2905 | 82.55% | 1080–1250 | 24–29 |
| Ursinus College | Test Optional | Ursinus College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with narrative-style transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3818 | 82.71% | 1200–1350 | 27–32 |
| Towson University | Test Optional | Towson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 18948 | 82.80% | 1060–1250 | 19–28 |
| Humboldt State University | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 16556 | 82.82% | 1030–1280 | 21–28 |
| Temple University | Test Optional | Temple University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, home-schooled applicants, recruited student athletes, and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 36399 | 82.92% | 1150–1370 | 23–30 |
| Albion College | Test Optional | Albion offers a test optional application policy. | 5438 | 83.16% | — | — |
| Randolph-Macon College | Test Optional | Randolph-Macon College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 2620 | 83.40% | 1060–1220 | 22–29 |
| Quinnipiac University | Test Optional | Quinnipiac University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communications and School of Engineering to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students playing a Division I sport must provide test scores. | 18668 | 83.79% | 1130–1300 | 24–29 |
| Boise State | Test Free | Boise State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend non-accredited high schools are required to submit test scores. | 16795 | 83.92% | — | — |
| Michigan State University | Test Optional | Michigan State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 58879 | 83.92% | 1110–1300 | 24–30 |
| Xavier University | Test Optional | Xavier University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 14852 | 84.49% | 1140–1300 | 23–30 |
| University of Iowa | Test Optional | University of Iowa is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 25682 | 84.67% | 1130–1310 | 22–28 |
| St. John's University (NY) | Test Optional | St. John's University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, some international students, students applying for several specific majors, and prospective student athletes are not eligible for test optional admission. | 24607 | 84.67% | 1110–1310 | 24–29 |
| Western Michigan University | Test Optional | WMU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 20100 | 84.68% | 990–1210 | 20–27 |
| Whittier College | Test Optional* | Whittier College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit standardized test scores. | 2750 | 84.87% | 1120–1330 | 23–31 |
| Ohio University | Test Optional | Ohio University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 25385 | 84.96% | 1100–1280 | 22–28 |
| University of Oregon | Test Optional | The University of Oregon offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from nonaccredited schools and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 39454 | 84.99% | 1150–1340 | 22–30 |
| St. Michael's College | Test Optional | St. Michael's College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2629 | 85.05% | 1160–1320 | 26–30 |
| Seattle University | Test Optional | Seattle University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not elligible for test optional admission. | 7934 | 85.15% | 1160–1360 | 24–30 |
| Washington State University | Test Optional | WSU offers a test free policy, which means they do not consider SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process. | 26166 | 85.36% | 1000–1250 | 20–27 |
| The Catholic University of America | Test Free | The Catholic University of America has adopted a test free policy, which means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission. | 5801 | 85.59% | 1110–1340 | 22–29 |
| University of Arizona | Test Optional | University of Arizona offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the UA Honors College, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Nursing, the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, and College of Engineering and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 56466 | 85.66% | 1150–1350 | 21–28 |
| University of Nevada—Las Vegas | Test Optional* | UNLV requires either the SAT or ACT, however, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 13711 | 85.76% | 980–1230 | 18–24 |
| Butler University | Test Optional | Butler University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who major in Pre-Pharmacy, Health Sciences, and Healthcare and Business programs, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 20 college credits are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9431 | 85.87% | 1200–1340 | 26–31 |
| University of Mary Washington | Test Optional | The University of Mary Washington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to petition to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students applying for the Pre-Nursing Program or merit based scholarships and homeschooled students are not eligible for test choice. | 4606 | 86.26% | 1160–1320 | 23–31 |
| Stetson University | Test Optional | Stetson University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7824 | 86.43% | 1030–1240 | 20–26 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Test Optional | Virginia Commonwealth University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. However, submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 19289 | 86.56% | 1040–1260 | 22–30 |
| Kent State | Test Optional | Kent State requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 22366 | 86.65% | 1010–1230 | 18–25 |
| California State University—Fullerton | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 48479 | 86.72% | 880–1100 | 20–26 |
| University of New Hampshire | Test Optional | The University of New Hampshire offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, all Division 1 athletic recruits are required to submit standardized test scores. | 20887 | 86.87% | 1130–1310 | 26–31 |
| California State University—Los Angeles | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 33941 | 86.94% | — | — |
| University of Utah | Test Optional | The University of Utah offers a test optional admission policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 22996 | 87.17% | 1190–1380 | 22–29 |
| University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley | Test Optional (Temporary) | UTRGV has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 12674 | 87.36% | 910–1110 | 16–22 |
| Montclair State University | Test Optional | Montclair State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 23599 | 87.41% | 920–1220 | — |
| Marquette University | Test Optional | Marquette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, to both domestic and international applicants. | 15657 | 87.48% | 1200–1340 | 26–31 |
| University of Cincinnati | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Cincinnati has extended its temporary test optional policy through Fall 2025. | 33165 | 87.67% | 1160–1340 | 24–29 |
| Loyola University New Orleans | Test Free | Starting with the Fall 2021 application cycle, Loyola will not require a standardized test score for its university admission application and will not consider a test score, should a student choose to submit. | 6142 | 87.72% | — | — |
| Duquesne University | Test Optional | Duquesne offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 12282 | 87.73% | 1170–1330 | 25–31 |
| Miami University—Oxford | Test Optional (Temporary) | Miami Ohio has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 30367 | 87.92% | 1170–1350 | 24–29 |
| Christopher Newport University | Test Optional* | Christopher Newport University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.5+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. For students applying in the 2020-21 admission cycle, there is no minimum GPA for test optional admission. | 7062 | 87.96% | 1120–1290 | 23–29 |
| Susquehanna University | Test Optional | Susquehanna University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4688 | 88.03% | 1090–1250 | 22–28 |
| University of Kansas | Test Optional* | The University of Kansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.4+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 19226 | 88.20% | 1060–1280 | 21–27 |
| University of Texas, San Antonio | Test Optional | University of Texas, San Antonio offers a test optional policy, which allows studenrs to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 22497 | 88.46% | 1010–1200 | 19–26 |
| University of California—Merced | Test Free | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 30017 | 88.60% | — | — |
| Appalachian State University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 24001 | 88.64% | 1100–1270 | 21–27 |
| St. Mary's College of California | Test Optional | St. Mary's offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, student-athletes, homeschooled students, and students attending schools that don't give grades must provide test scores. | 4289 | 88.67% | — | — |
| Wheaton College (IL) | Test Optional* | Wheaton offers a test optional policy. However, students applying from non-accredited schools are required to submit scores. | 1872 | 88.68% | 1260–1420 | 28–33 |
| Texas State University | Test Optional* | Texas State offers a test optional policy for students in the top 75% of their graduating class. All students ranked in the fourth quartile of their class must submit scores that meet assured admission standards for admission. | 37486 | 88.76% | 990–1180 | 19–26 |
| George Mason University | Test Optional | George Mason University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who major in computer science and engineering majors, home-schooled applicants, and students seeking to become a member of one of George Mason's NCAA intercollegiate athletics teams are not eligible for test optional admission. The Volgenau School of Engineering entering classes of 2020 and 2021 are exempt from the 550 SAT Math/24 ACT Math requirement. | 22579 | 88.83% | 1160–1330 | 25–30 |
| California Lutheran University | Test Optional | California Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission, and test scores are required to qualify for some merit scholarships. | 5290 | 88.88% | 1130–1320 | 23–29 |
| Goshen College | Test Optional | Goshen offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/AC scores. | 1175 | 88.94% | 860–1130 | — |
| Illinois State | Test Optional | Illinois State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. | 20884 | 89.01% | 1030–1220 | 22–27 |
| Iowa State University | Test Optional | Iowa State is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 22995 | 89.13% | 1120–1330 | 21–28 |
| Colorado State University | Test Optional | Colorado State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 36616 | 89.59% | 1050–1260 | 23–29 |
| Georgia Southern University | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The University System of Georgia requires SAT or ACT test scores. However, students applying to Georgia Southern with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 14410 | 89.63% | 980–1150 | 18–23 |
| California State University—San Bernardino | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 13984 | 89.73% | 820–1020 | 15–24 |
| University of North Carolina—Greensboro | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 12379 | 89.83% | 1110–1240 | 22–27 |
| San Francisco State University | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 31924 | 89.96% | — | — |
| East Carolina | Test Optional* (Temporary) | The UNC System requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, students with an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher are able to apply test optional. | 22289 | 90.11% | 1040–1200 | 19–24 |
| Arizona State University | Test Optional* | ASU requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top 25% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 68840 | 90.19% | — | — |
| Transylvania University | Test Optional | Transylvania University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, test optional applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the Transylvania campus for an in-depth interview. | 1781 | 90.68% | 1120–1360 | 23–29 |
| Portland State | Test Optional* | Portland State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attended homeschool, or a non-accredited, non-standard high school are required to submit test scores. | 8877 | 90.91% | 1100–1290 | 19–28 |
| Northern Arizona University | Test Optional | Northern Arizona University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores required to receive merit-based scholarships. | 37805 | 90.95% | 1040–1260 | 19–26 |
| Central Michigan University | Test Optional* | CMU offers a test optional policy. However, homeschooled students or students whose high schools do not provide grades are required to submit SAT/ACT scores. | 18102 | 91.01% | 970–1200 | 21–27 |
| Missouri State University | Test Optional* | Missouri State University requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 11901 | 91.05% | 1000–1090 | 19–25 |
| California State University—Chico | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 22910 | 91.07% | 910–1150 | 19–30 |
| College of St. Benedict | Test Optional | The College of Saint Benedict offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems, and applicants to the Nursing Early Admission Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1852 | 91.36% | — | 21–27 |
| University of Washington—Bothell | Test Optional | The University of Washington—Bothell offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 4776 | 91.77% | 1070–1360 | 23–30 |
| California State University—Northridge | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 30098 | 92.19% | — | — |
| Valparaiso University | Test Optional | Valparaiso offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scors. | 6133 | 92.22% | — | — |
| California State University—Sacramento | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 25443 | 92.25% | — | — |
| California State University—Monterey Bay | Test Free | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 11965 | 93.27% | 1000–1230 | 21–28 |
| Utah State | Test Optional | USU offers a test optional policy. While SAT or ACT scores are not required for application, they are recommended for scholarship consideration. | 19331 | 93.62% | 1070–1300 | 20–28 |
| Texas Lutheran University | Test Optional | TLU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 1554 | 94.79% | 1030–1230 | 22–28 |
| University of Toledo | Test Optional | University of Toledo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11184 | 94.83% | 1000–1270 | 20–27 |
| University of the Pacific | Test Optional | University of the Pacific offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5763 | 94.86% | 1170–1410 | 23–31 |
| University of Kentucky | Test Optional (Temporary) | UK has extended their temporary test optional policy to students entering in the 2028–29 academic year. | 22109 | 94.89% | 1080–1280 | 21–28 |
| University of Maine | Test Optional | University of Maine offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 13524 | 94.96% | 1080–1320 | 22–31 |
| Old Dominion University | Test Optional* | ODU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, not all applicants may be eligible for test optional admission. Please check with the university. | 14435 | 95.14% | 1100–1240 | 22–27 |
| University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee | Test Optional (Temporary) | The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee has extended its temporary test optional policy to the spring 2027 term. | 15109 | 95.29% | — | — |
| University of Portland | Test Optional (Temporary) | University of Portland has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2025. | 9041 | 95.39% | 1190–1410 | 25–30 |
| University of Montana | Test Optional | University of Montana offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 9464 | 95.60% | 1110–1280 | 19–26 |
| Western Kentucky University | Test Optional* | WKU requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.5+ GPA. | 7720 | 97.05% | 920–1140 | 18–25 |
| University of Wyoming | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Test scores are not currently required for undergraduate admission decisions to the University of Wyoming. Though not required, scores are recommended for financial assistance. Students who have earned their GED and are under 21 years old must submit SAT or ACT scores. | 5644 | 97.41% | 1040–1260 | 21–27 |
| University of Mississippi | Test Optional* (Temporary) | Ole Miss has extended their temporary test optional policy for students with a 3.2+ GPA. Although they are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2024–25 application cycle, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs and for academic placement. | 27837 | 97.78% | 1030–1200 | 21–29 |
| The Citadel | Test Optional | The Citadel is a test optional institution. | 2883 | 98.09% | 1100–1260 | 22–26 |
| University of South Dakota | Test Optional* | University of South Dakota requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.6+ GPA, rank in the top 50% of their class, or achieve a 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced Assessments. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 5381 | 98.88% | 1150–1290 | 19–25 |
| Kansas State University | Test Optional* | Kansas State requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 10672 | 99.83% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
| University of Texas—El Paso | Test Optional* | UTEP requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class. | 10493 | 99.92% | 870–990 | 16–22 |
| Weber State University | Test Optional | Weber State University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores are recommended to help determine scholarship eligibility and Math & English placement. | 9968 | 100.00% | — | 18–24 |
| Millsaps College | Test Optional | Millsaps College offers a test optional policy. | N/A | N/A | — | — |
| University of St. Thomas (MN) | Test Optional | The University of St. Thomas offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | N/A | N/A | 1130–1340 | 24–29 |
About 96% of the schools listed have reported for the classes entering in fall 2023 or 2022—the two most recent reporting years. Many of these institutions currently offer test optional policies, which explains the low submission percentages and the absence of score data at some schools. Scores for enrolled students entering in the fall of 2024 should become generally available summer of 2025.
Hello Art-
My son is a high school junior. He took a SAT prep class the summer before junior year and scored a 1480 on the new SAT in Dec 2016. He re-took the new SAT on March 25th and his school is administering a SAT on April 11th. He aspires to apply to schools that are quite competitive, Rice, Brown, Duke etc. He hopes to get a higher than 1530 score but is using mostly a more practice strategy rather than new study skills. He has taken the subject Bio SAT sophomore year and got a 730. He plans to try the Math Lvl II SAT and Chemistry SAT on May 6th. He is taking AP Calc AB and AP Chemistry as a junior.
1. Should he try the ACT? He is not fast at reading comprehension.
2. Subject Chemistry: does studying for the AP Chemistry exam usually cover the subject Chem study material?
3. Does he need to carve out time to study for the Math LvL II SAT or is the content similar to the math on the new SAT?
4. At what SAT score point (1500? 1530?) this June should he stop trying the SAT and hold with his score, his unweighted GPA is around a 3.9. Does taking the SAT repeatedly actually improve one’s score?
Thank you.
Jehanara,
Sorry for the delay. I hope things went well for your son!
1. He should take a practice ACT — one released by ACT — under timed conditions. I recommend that students base decisions off of scores rather than off rules of thumb — every student is different. If he ends up scoring in the mid-1500’s, I don’t think there is much of an advantage to taking the ACT.
2. Yes. In general, the AP Chemistry test expects a deeper knowledge than the Chemistry Subject Test. They are different enough, though, that I encourage your son to take a practice test or two in the Subject Test format (it will only take him 1 hour per test and a little time to review his errors). The Relationship Analysis questions are like nothing on the AP (or on any other Subject Test).
3. Math 2 is considerably more advanced than the math on the new SAT. Only in the most basic sense is SAT prep directly relevant to Math 2, I’m afraid.
4. The first part is not one that I can answer for your son. After all, it’s your son — not me — who has to do the work. As you might imagine, the chance of going down increases with higher scores. It’s preparing for the test — not repetition alone — that will raise his score.
Hello, I got a 1550 on the new SAT with a perfect 800 math, and a 7/8 on the essay. Would this be considered a strong enough score for admissions to schools like University of Pennsylvania or Harvard? Or should I consider retaking?
Thank you!
Jacob,
You should not retake the test. A higher score will not tip a decision. Make sure you have your Subject Test scores in place and focus on your applications (and grades, of course!).
Hi, Art,
First, thank you for taking time reading my question.
My junior son’s new SAT score came out yesterday, he scored perfect score in Math ( 800) and 670 in English, that made his New Sat score to 98 percentiles, he will focus on his 4 SAT subjects tests and 2 AP tests in May and June 2017– he likes to be in Biology/ pre med or Medical fields in college and his dream school is Stanford Univ ( duh!)’ he plans to take 5 APs including AP Biology, BC Calculus AP Environmental Bio. He is also in school Math team, outdoor track Varsity team, indoor track Varsity team and the president/ founder of school badminton clubs, National Honor Society member– he competed in State indoor track, outdoor track, Math and History in sophomore and junior year as well. He also taking Bio Medicine in the society college and scored A+ last summer.
Do you think he needs to take another SAT test or ACT test? He says he doesn’t need to take any ACT but I’m not sure about this, also, could you suggests us if there’s anything he needs to do to let the colleges he plans to imply feel ” impressed”? Thank you so much!!
Janet,
Your son has a great “resume,” and I’d hate to see test scores hold him back. His 670 is weak for colleges at his dream level, so I would recommend retaking the SAT or, at minimum, taking a practice ACT and seeing how he performs. I’m not a college counselor, so I don’t feel qualified to handle the “impressed” part of your question.
My son has a new SAT score of 1560 and he is 99% percentile as per SAT. He has all AP subkects and he has B+ in all. Also he is involved in extensive music program throughout his High school. He is in Marching Band as a section leader and also part of School Jazz Band which he travels around the world and in different states for competition. His goal yp get into UPENN Brown or Johns Hopkins school. What are his chance and what he can do to get scholarships from IVY league schools. Your reply is appreciated.
Saurabh,
While I feel qualified to address test scores, I don’t feel qualified to address chances for admission — there are simply too many factors involved. Ivy League schools do not offer academic scholarships. Instead, they base financial aid on financial need. Other competitive colleges do have merit-based aid, so the Ivy League should not be used as a general rule.
Good evening,
This may have already been addressed and I overlooked it. I am wondering about how SAT scores are read. If a student takes the test ore than once, do schools look at the highest subject on each to create a compiled score or do they just take the highest total text score?
Amber,
Combining the highest section scores to make a new total score is referred to colloquially as “superscoring.” Most colleges now superscore, but there are notable exceptions. We have another post that provides the superscoring policies of the Compass 360.
Hello,
I am a 11th Grade international student applying for university in the fall. My dream school is Stanford, to study economics/civil engineering. I got a score of 1550 (M800+English750) on the New SAT last year. Should I take the Subject Tests?
Thank you!
Peter,
You need to consider how well you might perform (practice tests are available). As an international student, you face intense competition at one of the most competitive colleges in the country. Subject Tests can help you demonstrate your academic achievements. On the other hand, weak Subject Test scores will not help strengthen your “testing portfolio.” If you can get in the 750-800 range, I would recommend Subject Tests. Stanford, by the way, makes an exception to its “all test scores” requirement for Subject Tests, so you can always keep your scores to yourself.
Hi Art,
I am a high school sophomore looking to get into highly selective schools such as UChicago, Northwestern, WashU in St. Louis, etc. Freshman year I got a 1240 on the PSAT, and a 27 on the ACT. This year I got a 1320 and a 32. I’m fairly certain I will be able raise my scores again next year. Do you think where I’m at with my test scores gives me a shot at being accepted? Also do you think it is worthwhile for me to take subject tests, I would probably do math and chemistry.
Nick,
It sounds like you are on the right path. As you can see from the score ranges, the schools you are looking at have extremely high 25th-75th percentile ranges. You’ll want to get into the 34-36 range to feel comfortable about your score. Keep in mind that an ACT score should be viewed more as a “ticket to play” rather than as something that will get you admitted. It’s difficult, in other words, to be accepted with a low score, but a high score is no guarantee of success — so many other factors are involved.
Subject Tests are useful if you do very well on them. The good news is that College Board just released 2 new chemistry tests (available in bookstores) and will be releasing new math tests in the fall. This means that you can see how you would do on actual exams. I would not recommend taking them unless you are applying to a Subject Tests Required college and can achieve at least a 700+ (750+ is ideal).
My rising senior son new SAT is 1360 (Math 670, and EBRW 690). his lowest grade is 93 in high school, and his GPA is 3.97-4.12. He has taken 6 APs and will take another 5 AP in senior year. His dream college is Georgia institute of Technology. we are GA residents. Do you think he need improve his SAT further, particularly Math score?
Richard,
I’m not equipped to gauge your son’s chances at GaTech overall, but I’ll give you some data points to consider. For the class of 2017 (college class of 2021), GaTech announced that the average SAT score for accepted students was 1458. Acceptance rates for GA residents run twice that of non-residents, but the school does not breakout the characteristics of each group (at least not that I found). GaTech also said that admitted students averaged 10.6 college level courses. It’s interesting how close your son’s 11 APs would be to this average. Your son’s 1360 is toward the low end of scores for enrolled students, which indicates that he’d likely benefit from a higher score.
I want to study in USA. Do I have to give only SAT 1 to get admission in university or SAT Subject is required too? Pleasse sir help me. I am a bit nervous about it. I want to be an engineer. I have no SAT Scores yet. My test is next month. I hope to get more than 1200 marks. Are these scores enough? Some people say that besides SAT 1 and SAT Subject I have to participate in TOEFL too. Is it correct?
Muhammed,
I’m afraid that full answers to your questions are far too complex to deal with here. Most colleges do not require Subject Tests for U.S. students, but a greater number expect them from international students, because colleges are less likely to be familiar with an applicant’s academic training. You’ll need to visit each college’s website to see details for international applicants, as we have not compiled that information. You can use the numbers on this page to understand how competitive your SAT scores are. You’ll want to examine schools where your scores put you into the 25th to 75th percentile of enrolled students. Requirements for TOEFL will also vary. If your schooling has been in English, you may be able to skip the TOEFL. Students studying in a language other than English should plan on taking TOEFL. Again, your best bet is to check with the individual colleges. Good luck.
My son took the new SAT in his ten grade in the August, and got 1570, he took the old SAT in his eight grade, and got 2180.
He took the SAT math II, got 790.
He is studying the Calculus AB and AP biology. Do you think he need to retest the SAT, he will retest the SAT math II next month.
Thank you.
Yili,
His 1570 from sophomore year will be accepted by colleges, and I don’t think that his test portfolio would be improved by shooting for a 1580-1600. One thing to consider is that the August SAT may be too early to serve as a confirming score if he qualifies for National Merit Semifinalist in his junior year. Given his outstanding performance on the SAT, I’d say that he has a very good chance. He’ll get his sophomore PSAT scores — assuming that he is taking it — in December, so that will give you added information.
My daughter took ACT test at her junior year and got perfect score of 36. She also finished SAT test last year and got score of 1540. Her PSAT score was also good and was on the national simi-finalist. Her ACT score is better than SAT score. She is trying to apply top 10 school such as Harvard, Stanford, U. Chicargo, U. Penn, Columbia, etc. Some of the school only require either ACT or SAT test report, but some school asked send all the test report whatever you have taken including subject test. We are wondering if she should only send ACT score or need to send both ACT and SAT score? Will be any negtive impact if school received both scores. When Collegeboard send subject test, will they send all test report?
Jay,
In your daughter’s case, there would be no negative impact in sending both scores. I know of only 1 or 2 schools that require all scores including STs and only a handful of top schools that would require her to send the SAT score. A student always has the option of choosing Score Choice when sending College Board reports (although, as you point out, some schools instruct students not to use Score Choice). The default is for College Board to send all reports.
is it necessary to send scores of sat to 4 colleges
Charan,
You may be referring to the four score reports that College Board provides for free with test registration. You do not have to use these included reports. In most cases, we advise skipping them so that you can use Score Choice. Unfortunately, this does mean paying for individual score reports ($12 each).
Beksaid,
The scores shown are for the SAT and ACT. Only a small number of colleges require SAT Subject Tests.
Mr. Sawyer,
What chance, as a homeschooler, do I have of getting into the top ten colleges in the country? According to a U.S news article, most of them accept homeschoolers.
Thank you,
Katheryn
Katheryn,
Colleges try to recruit great students from everywhere, and homeschooling has seen strong growth over the last couple decades. I don’t know of a college that wouldn’t accept a homeschooler. That said, colleges tend to depend more heavily on standardized test scores and often have additional requirements — such as Subject Tests — for homeschoolers. Even when tests are not required, they can help make colleges comfortable with a students skills — since class rank doesn’t apply and GPA is undependable or unavailable.
My son’s new SAT score is 1490 ( Math 800 and EBRW 690). He has won few International conferences (in modern united nations) competitions. He has few other extracurricular activities and social works to his belt. His GPA score is definitely above 4.5 through out career. He also has few summer internships experience during summer months. Not sure what else he needs to do to get into Ivy league or best USA computer engineering (software) programs. Please guide.
Saby,
I can only competently provide guidance on testing. Your son would benefit from a higher EBRW, and Subject Test scores might also help his candidacy. There is no one formula for admission to top universities.
Thanks Art. Your mail is noted. He is preparing for his subject tests now along with his TOFEL. He tried second attempt on SAT and unfortunately his EBRW score remained the same. We only can hope for best keeping in mind other parameters to make his profile stronger for best computer science programs. Thank you once again. Cheers!!!
I would like to transfer out of my university for my sophomore year. I am currently in my second semester of freshman year. How much would my SAT scores and high school GPA matter in that scenario compared to my college grades and current extracurriculars?
George,
The standards vary by college, but it would be common for colleges to consider college GPA, HS GPA, and SAT scores as primary factors for transfers after freshman year.
Good Evening Art,
I am currently active duty in the United States Navy and it has been a long time since reapplying myself to school due to deployments and my duties. My SAT score has expired “exceeded three years” Two questions, 1. Will my past SAT score effect the SAT coming up or will the two average out? and 2. Will my past grades in a college although over 5 years ago effect my chances of getting in a higher university? Thank you for your time!
Chad,
You are able to send older SAT scores; it just may require going through some added hoops. Colleges will generally prefer more recent scores, though. Your more current scores will be what matter — no averaging.
Your college coursework and grades are the bigger question mark, and I would recommend contacting some of the colleges on your list to see if you will be applying as a first-year student or as a transfer student.
Hello Art,
My son goes to a top private day school (all boys in NYC).
He took the SAT at the beginning of his junior year, even before the PSAT.
He scored 800 and 790 (math). On both tests he answered all the questions correctly. On the Math, apparently he skipped one question (unintentionally).
His only prep for the SAT was one mock test and two private tutoring session just to become familiar with the test and the testing process.
In light of everything I’ve heard lately, I’m annoyed his college counselor told him “No!” emphatically when my son queried about taking the SAT to try for a perfect 1600. (He also qualified for National Merit but he was told “don’t bother pursuing it.”
Putting things in perspective he took six APs and scored all 5s (and on the SAT subject tests which are not considered all that meaningful nowadays he scored all 800s)
The weird thing he’s very strong in math and physics.
The reason I’m now convinced a 1600 in lieu of a 1590 can really make a difference at his first choice schools (Yale, Brown) is the concept that a 1600 means the particular student might have the potential to reach a much higher ceiling if the test had a much higher bar at the top. Plus, in very competitive merit based scholarships with tons of applicants, (like at USC) where scores count a lot, 1590s can all be automatically eliminated, leaving just candidates with1600s. Lastly, the US Presidential Scholars require a minimum score of 1600 in NY State to even be under consideration.
I’m definitely flummoxed by the school’s counselor’s attitude especially since it was my son’s first attempt. He has been accepted to Cambridge University (UK) to read Natural Sciences on a master’s track…which every one thinks is very impressive. But he was deferred from Yale (his ED choice).
Thoughts about whether or not going for the 1600 would have been worth it?
Lori,
Your son’s testing portfolio is so strong that the difference between a 1590 and 1600 is definitely of no consequence from an admission standpoint. In defense of your counselor, I don’t know of one who would have provided different guidance. Colleges do not distinguish between candidates at 1590 and 1600, and while I am not familiar with every single scholarship program, I can assure you that USC does not draw a hard line at 1600. The unfortunate structure of the the Presidential Scholar criteria does mean that a 1590 is considered less than a 1600 because the former concords to a 35 ACT. This shows the weakness of concordance as a tool and the inanity of using such small differences in tests that are not designed for the task.
I am confused of the advice not to pursue National Merit (there is simply no downside). On the other hand, Finalist status comes too late to really play a role in admission (at some schools it can play a role in financial aid).
Your son’s own performance is proof that even a student capable of scoring higher than a 1600 (in a theoretical sense) can also make mistakes. The SAT would have to be several times as long as it currently is to accurately distinguish a “1590 student” from a “1600 student.”
Hello Sir,
My son took the SAT for the second time and he got 10 more questions correct, however his SAT score remained the same. Could this be a scoring error?
Anthony,
The raw score to scaled score relationship can vary from test to test. The scaling is meant to adjust for small (well, maybe not so small in your son’s case) differences in overall question difficulty. The second test would have had “easier” questions, so students of the same ability level would have gotten more questions correct on that test. Presumably the 10 questions were spread among Math and ERW, since I’ve never seen a single 200-800 scale be off by that much.
Mr.Sawyer,
My son is currently in Lincoln Park IB program. It is the top-ranked in Chicago and top hundred in the nation. He is still a junior and there is still another quarter left in his year and he already has a 4.2 weighted GPA. He wishes to become a doctor and has worked for many, shadowed a lot and has taken all the courses that are necessary. He took the ACT and got a 27, and he just finished the SAT. With the 27 and the rest of his achievements how good of a chance does he stand???
George,
My expertise is in admission testing and not admissions, so I don’t feel qualified to state his chances. They certainly vary by college, and there are any number of excellent colleges that will prepare your son well for medical school.
Dear Mr. Sawyer,
My school has a GPA 4.0 grading scale and doesn’t offer any extra points above that.
But last year, the average GPA of the admitted freshman class at Harvard University was 4.04 on the 4.0 scale.
How am I supposed to compete with others if their schools provide GPA higher than 4.0 ?
Lewis,
Harvard — and almost every other college — will look at your unweighted grades. Admission offices prefer to make their own decisions about grades and courses rather than automatically accepting a high school’s weighting. The 4.04 you have seen cited is not accurate.
My 5th Grader took her ACT with Writing and SAT Literature. She scored a 17 on her ACT and 20 in Reading. On the SAT Literature test she scored a 400 — I TOLD HER TO TRY FOR EVERY ANSWER!!! Is that a good score for a 5th grader?????? They gave her a verbal IQ test and she scored in 97% percentile. She can be in those gifted and talented programs for young children.
Tiffany,
There aren’t norms for such young students, so it is difficult to say exactly. Considering that the average ACT score for high school seniors is about 21, it is an excellent achievement!
Mr. Sawyer,
My son took ACT and got his ACT score 32 (comp32, Eng34, Sci34, R28, M32). He will be in senior this fall. He is doing well in school leadership and serving in public school committee. He planned to re-take ACT on Sept. 8 so he can improve his Reading and Math. He will apply an early action to Harvard this fall. Can you let me know how much of a chance to his dream/ivy schools?
Nait,
I can’t provide your student with the chances that he will be admitted to a dream/ivy. I would say that the 32 would be at the low end of scores for admitted students at the most competitive colleges. Admission is about far more than scores, of course.
Hi, I’m a senior in high school and I go to an IB school, and I have a superscored 1480 in the SAT and I’m almost certain my predicted grade is going to be a 38 out of 45. I was thinking about applying to colleges like Emory, UIUC, U. San Diego. Do you think my scores match up to their range? Am I a competitive applicant?
SSun,
Your scores are a fit for those schools. I’m not qualified to say that you are competitive applicant overall.
Hi Art,
I am a senior at Duke University writing an honors thesis about the impacts of collegiate sports success on applications (both quantity and quality) to a university, and I am wondering if you have this information in a dataset containing multiple years (as many as possible). I need to look at the year-to-year changes within the scores, and therefore would very much appreciate access to this information.
Thank you very much,
Will
William,
The IPEDS data maintained by NCES goes back decades and includes essentially every college in the U.S. It’s not the most intuitive interface, but you should be able to pull out exactly what you need.