UAB will not require an ACT or SAT score for admission or merit scholarship consideration for summer or fall 2024. Students will indicate on the admission application (UAB Application or Common Application) their preference to apply using a test score or as test-optional. Once the admission application is submitted, this decision is final and cannot be changed.

How Applicants Are Evaluated

Admission and merit scholarship consideration for students who apply as test-optional is based on several factors, including high school GPA, grades in coursework required for university admission, and rigor/performance in advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors, etc.).

Consideration for students applying with a test score includes all the above plus their highest composite ACT or SAT score.

Merit Scholarships and Test-Optional Applicants

For many students, considering whether to apply for admission as test-optional or with a test score is often based on merit scholarship opportunities. While the university cannot advise applicants on how they should apply, we can offer some things to consider. Applicants with ACT (or SAT-equivalent) and GPA scores above the fall 2022 averages of incoming freshmen — 26.5 ACT and 3.79 GPA — typically have more scholarship opportunities when applying with a test score. Students who feel their test score is not reflective of their academic achievement when compared to their high school GPA and rigor of curriculum should consider applying as test-optional.

The scholarship-awarding process for test-optional students is proprietary information not available to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Undergraduate Admissions