UAB will not require an ACT or SAT score for admission or merit scholarship consideration for Summer or Fall 2027 for students with a 3.5+ weighted high school GPA. Students will indicate on the admission application (UAB Application or Common Application) their preference to apply using a test score or as test-optional. Students with a weighted GPA of 3.49 or below will be required to provide a test score for application review.
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. Students applying with test scores are recommended to have a composite score of at least a 20 on the ACT or 1030 on the SAT.
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 2025 averages of incoming freshmen — 26.6 ACT and 3.84 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.
Test-Optional Policy for Fall 2028 and Beyond
UAB will no longer offer test-optional admissions after the Summer/Fall 2027 application cycle. Students looking to apply for freshman admissions for Fall 2028 or later will be expected to provide standardized test scores for admissions and scholarship review.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is eligible for test-optional admission?
High school students, including international students, who graduate in 2027 can apply as test-optional. Students who graduated from high school in 2026 but did not enroll in college can also apply as test-optional.
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How will I be evaluated for admission and scholarships?
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. Students applying with test scores are recommended to have a composite score of at least a 20 on the ACT or 1030 on the SAT.
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Should I apply as test-optional or with a test score?
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 2025 averages of incoming freshmen — 26.6 ACT and a 3.84 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.
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How do I indicate whether I want to apply as test-optional or with a test score?
You will be asked to choose your preference on the admissions application if you self-report a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Your choice affects both admission and merit scholarship consideration.
If you self-report a GPA of 3.49 or below, you will automatically be required to provide test scores. If you self-report a GPA of 3.5 or higher but your high school transcript records a weighted GPA of 3.49 or lower, your admissions decision will be deferred until we receive official test scores or an updated transcript reflecting a 3.5+ GPA.
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What if I already sent my ACT or SAT score to UAB but wish to apply as test-optional?
Although your test score will remain in our system, it will not be used or reviewed for the purpose of admission or scholarship consideration. However, test scores can still be used for placement in English or math courses.
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Are test scores required for certain programs?
Below are programs that have additional steps or requirements for students who apply test-optional.
Early Medical, Dental, and Optometry School Acceptance Programs require test scores to be admitted into their programs.
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If I apply as test-optional, how will I be placed in a course without an ACT or SAT score?
Students without a test score are required to take placement assessments in both English and math. Students with a test score, whether they applied test-optional or not, may use their test score for placement or elect to take a placement assessment.