SAT

The SAT post COVID

Do I have to take the SAT to get into "Good Universities?" 

NO! you do not! 

Even pre-COVID many top Universities in the US were SAT test Optional. These included schools like Boston University and NYU two of the top Universities historically applied to by TISA students. These schools consider the IB Diploma predicted/final scores as the "admissions tests" in place of the SAT. This list has only grown with the experience of COVID, and while things are in flux at the moment I fully expect this to settle in as the new norm, in fact as of March 2023 according to Forbes, 96% of all Universities do not require the SAT.  As of right now you need to check the Universities webpages for the most up to date information.  Please note that the absence of the SAT may mean that you may be asked to provide an English exam.  If you have that request, please let your School Counselor know and usually we can help the University to understand why this is not necessary.  

Update for the US (Spring 2025): While all of the above is still true, more and more Universities or Colleges are once again asking for the SAT.   If you are applying to the US, it may be worth your while to take the SAT and see how you do, and then you can choose if you wish to use it or if you need to use it you have it. 

SAT for Europe: 

Several Universities in Europe will take either the SAT or their own exam.  IE and Bocconi are two of them.   If they are on your possible lists in March of your Junior year, I suggest that you try taking one to see what it is like.

Do I have to take the SAT at all... 

It depends on where you want to apply? 

Some states like Florida the state legislature have mandated that all Public Universities have the SAT as a required part of their application process.  Some Universities in the rest of the world may also ask for an SAT exam.  MIT is also now requesting an SAT for all applicants. 

How do I know if this is a requirement? 

Ask the Universities/look on their Websites/Ask for your School Counselors Assistance.

Will and SAT help my application even if it is not Required? 

It depends.... 

Please note that some Universities like NYU only want your IB scores if you are applying with an IB Diploma. If a University is Test Optional- not submitting an SAT will not hurt your application  But for some Universities a "strong" SAT score can help.    

How do I know if my score is a "strong score"?

 You need to look at the "Average Admitted Student" data for this University. 

As an example Stanford: 

Let's say that at Stanford 50% submitted scores are  between 1420 and 1570, but, the average SAT score acceptable by Stanford is 1480.  (Please do not take these numbers as current fact.  These numbers are meant to serve as an example.) If a student has an SAT above 1480 then it will not hurt an application to send it.  If however a student is asking for scholarships then having an SAT score closer to or above 1570 might assist in that endeavor.  You do not have to send your SAT score to every school you apply to and in fact you do not need to send it at all even if you have taken the test. So if you take it and do well-- use it!  If not, do not submit it and the lack of an SAT will not harm your application at SAT optional admissions processes. 

Rule of Thumb for Test OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS

• "My test scores are above average, but I didn't do as well on the SAT/ACT as I personally would have liked." You should submit your test scores.

• "Standardized testing has always been a weakness of mine. My grades and curriculum are rigorous and competitive, but my SAT/ACT scores are below the school's mid-range." You should not submit your test scores.

• "My best scores are way below the published mid-range scores." You should not submit your test scores.

Thank you Hofstra University