Taking and submitting Testing & Test Scores
SAT Reasoning & ACT Exams
A complete application for admission includes official standardized test scores from either the SAT Reasoning exam taken after March 2005 or the ACT exam taken after February 2005.
ACT Writing Test
To be official, an ACT score must include a score for the ACT Optional Writing Test taken on the same day.
Details about SAT & ACT exam scores
Official scores from testing agency
Have the testing agency send your official SAT Reasoning scores or ACT scores (including the Optional Writing Test) directly to UT Austin. Scores on transcripts and student score reports sent to you don’t fulfill this requirement.
Multiple score reports and how we use them
You may submit as many score reports as you like. If you submit more than one score report, we will use the score from a single test date that will benefit you the most when your application is reviewed. We will not, however, combine scores from different test dates (a critical reading score from one test date with a mathematics score from another test date, for example) to come up with a better score.
Requesting an additional score report for UT Austin
If you didn’t have your scores sent to UT Austin when you took the exam, contact the testing agency to have an additional score report sent to us. Scores on transcripts and student score reports sent to you don’t fulfill this requirement.
Getting scores here on time
To assure that your scores reach us by the application deadline, you should plan to take either the SAT or ACT no later than December of your senior year if you’re applying for summer/fall 2009.
Math readiness for engineering applicants
Engineering applicants must meet the requirements for the Math Readiness Policy by the admission application deadline. (Most students fulfill the requirement by submitting scores from the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics.)
Use of scores in admission decisions (Spring 2009)
If you’re applying for freshman admission for spring 2009, you must submit an SAT or ACT score that includes a writing score by the October 1, 2008, application deadline. However, the writing portion of your score will not be part of the cumulative score used to make your admission decision.
For spring 2009 applicants, we’ll use your SAT/ACT scores in the following ways:
- SAT: We’ll combine your Critical Reading score (in place of the Verbal) with the Mathematics score (in place of the Quantitative) to determine the composite score used for our review process. The total score will be out of a possible 1600 points.
- ACT: We’ll continue to consider scores in the same way we always have, while collecting the Optional Writing Test scores for establishing baseline data. The total score will be out of a possible 36 points.
UT Austin uses the highest composite score from one testing date. For example, if you took the SAT twice in the fall, we would not take a Critical Reading score from the first test and combine it with your Mathematics score from the second test. The same applies for the ACT test.
Use of scores in admission decisions (Summer/Fall 2009 and beyond)
The Office of Admissions will begin using SAT/ACT writing scores when making admission decisions beginning with applicants to Summer/Fall 2009. UT Austin will use your ACT/SAT score, including your writing score, from a single test date as one of the items that make up your academic achievement.
Freshman English Credit for SAT/ACT Writing Scores
Enrolling students with SAT Writing scores between 600 and 800 and ACT writing scores of 26 or higher earn credit for freshman English (RHE 306) at UT Austin. Details about earning credit for RHE 306 and other credit through placement testing is available on the Student Testing Services web site.
College Credit for Earning an IB Diploma
Students who are admitted to the university and have earned an IB Diploma during high school may qualify for 24 hours of college credit. Details about the program are available from Student Testing Services (formerly the Measurement and Evaluation Center).
SAT Subject Tests
Most applicants do not have to submit SAT Subject Test scores as part of the admissions application (although some engineering applicants do need to submit them; see below).
However, many applicants do choose to submit SAT Subject Test scores in hopes of attaining credit for required coursework. When we receive SAT Subject Test scores from a high school student, we set them aside until the application cycle is complete. If an applicant is admitted, credit is given for SAT Subject Tests based on established guidelines.
After being admitted, most students also take at least one SAT Subject Test for freshman course placement purposes.
Engineering Applicants
For a freshman application for admission to engineering to be complete, an applicant must fulfill the requirements of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Math Readiness Requirement.