The University of Alabama at Birmingham will update its holistic admissions review process with phased changes to the university’s test optional policy. The first phase will apply to first year undergraduate applicants seeking to start their studies in 2027. 

1. Students applying for admission to begin studies as first-year undergraduates in 2026 will be considered under UAB’s current test-optional policy and will not be required to submit an ACT or SAT score.
2. Students who apply for admissions in August 2026 or later and wish to start their studies as first-year undergraduate students in 2027 will be required to submit a standardized test score if their cumulative high school GPA is below 3.5. 
3. All applicants who apply in August 2027 or later and wish to start their studies as first-year undergraduate students in 2028 or later will be required to submit an ACT or SAT score. 

As UAB reintroduces this requirement, standardized test scores will be included among several factors considered in UAB’s holistic admissions process for first year undergraduate admission. The standardized test score will be used as a supplement to the applicant’s overall file and will not disqualify the applicant from admission. 

This update reflects UAB’s commitment to supporting student success by enhancing awareness of students’ full potential based on broad consideration of academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and personal experiences in addition to standardized test results. 

Standardized testing was suspended during the pandemic, and the reinstatement was approved by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on Dec. 18, 2025, to help ensure that all students have the most evidence-based support for advancement and graduation. 

To support Alabama high school students during the application process, UAB Libraries provides a Learning Express Library to the Alabama Public Library Service that includes free college admission test preparation.