Test Optional FAQs
First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025 are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications.
If a student indicates that they would like Penn State to evaluate their application including SAT and/or ACT scores, we are happy to do so. For many applicants, an SAT or ACT exam score can reflect their preparation for college.
The results from an SAT or ACT exam will continue to be a part of Penn State's admission process for students electing to send scores and indicate that they would like them to be part of the consideration of their application.
These tests can provide supplemental information about a student which Penn State will consider alongside the other academic indicators in a student’s application. Penn State encourages any applicant who has taken the SAT or ACT to share their scores with us if the student believes that they are reflective of their ability and potential.
Penn State does not have any minimum GPA or test score requirements. Please refer to our admitted student .
Penn State does not have any minimum GPA or test score requirements. Please refer to our admitted student .
It is all about what the student wants, and how they want to present themselves in the application process at Penn State. We want students to consider their academic performance while in high school on the whole. If a student has a particularly strong academic record but does not consider their standardized exam scores to reflect their full academic potential, that student may want to apply to Penn State and not have SAT or ACT exam scores included in the evaluation of their application. However, if the results of a standardized test supplement the student's overall academic achievement, we would invite them to have their exam scores included in the evaluation of their application.
Students who have attended a school with non-traditional evaluation methods where traditional alpha or numerical grades are not assigned may be asked to provide additional materials. Test scores may be requested as part of the additional materials. We strongly encourage all applicants to complete the personal statement as part of the application submission.
All first-year applicants for all majors are eligible to apply Test Optional.
Note: Transfer, adult learners, and nondegree-to-degree applicants are not required to submit exam scores.
Students are able to change the response to the Test Optional question. The request to alter the response to the Test Optional question must be submitted prior to the University issuing an admission decision.
If you have applied to the Accelerated Premedical-Medical Program, you may only change your Test Optional answer prior to the program's October 15 deadline.
The Test Optional answer can only be changed by following the process outlined in the student's MyPennState portal and clicking the "Change My Test Optional Answer" button; or by emailing admissions@psu.edu using the subject line “Change Test Optional Answer” before an admission decision is made by the University.
International applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of the application process. However, students whose first language is not English are required to meet Penn State’s English language proficiency requirement. Please see requirements for international students.
No additional documents or supplemental application materials are required for students applying to Penn State without SAT or ACT scores. We do strongly encourage applicants to complete the personal statement as part of their application submission.
No. Students that are admitted to Penn State without SAT or ACT scores will not ever need to submit scores.
The Schreyer Honors College and the Millennium Scholars Program will not require SAT or ACT test scores for consideration.
Scholarships that are awarded based on academic performance will no longer factor in test scores as part of the consideration.
Penn State will use a student’s highest combined score from one single test date.
If a student indicates on the application that they are applying without consideration of SAT or ACT exams, any test scores already on file will not be included in the review of that student's application.
Please visit the College Board or ACT to arrange to take one of these exams. The code for Penn State that should be listed on the registration form for the SAT is #2660 and for the **ACT is #3656.**Test scores must be sent directly from College Board to be considered official by Penn State.
In absence of a test score, we will continue to look at all factors of a student's application including grades earned in academic coursework; performance in honors, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses; a student's essay/personal statement; involvement in activities; and other achievements.
Beginning August 1, 2020 students applying for the spring, summer, or fall application terms applicants can decide whether or not to have SAT or ACT exam scores considered as part of the admission review.
First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall 2025 are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications.