Standardized Testing Q & A
When did the "SAT I" become the "SAT Reasoning Test"?
The new "SAT Reasoning Test" replaced the SAT I in March, 2005. The Verbal section of the test became the Critical Reading section, and the analogies part of the Verbal test was replaced with additional short reading passages. The math section now includes more third-year mathematics (Algebra II). A writing section also was added, with multiple choice grammar questions as well as a written essay.
How are scores reported to the colleges?
Colleges with receive separate scores for the critical reading, mathematics, and writing sections. Each of these scores will be on a scale of 200-800.
So, if I ask what NYU's average SAT scores are, will you say something like "2050"?
No. We will continue to report scores using the traditional 400-1600 scale. We will not include the writing section in our reported average scores. Please review the additional information provided below about our review of the writing portion of the SAT and ACT examinations.
Because the SAT is so different than in the past, will NYU give less weight to SAT scores in the review process?
No. Remember, however, that SAT scores are only one of many factors that we take into consideration when we make our decisions.
How much weight does NYU place on the writing score?
Very little. Even though we have writing scores for the last three entering classes, we don't have as much information as we would like to have before we start using the writing scores in our evaluations. Once we have some experience with this part of the new SAT, we will have a better idea of how we will use it in our selection process. But for the coming year, we do not plan to place any emphasis on the writing score.
But will a poor score on the writing section hurt my chances for admission?
Admission to NYU is highly selective, and a poor score will hurt your chances for admission, just as poor grades in your high school courses will hurt your chances for admission. However, as indicated above, we will not be placing a great deal of emphasis on the writing section, and exactly how much a poor writing score would impact the admissions decision in your particular case would depend on all of the other information in your file. No student applying since 2006 was denied admission solely on the basis of the score on the writing section of the SAT, and that will continue to be the case for applicants.
I plan to take the ACT. The Writing Test is an optional component of the ACT. Why does NYU require that I take it?
As with the writing section of the SAT (which is not optional), the ACT Writing Test will not be a major factor in our admissions decisions again this year. However, it may be more important in future years, and we need to begin to collect data on this test so that we can properly evaluate the students who take the ACT and apply to NYU later on.
I took the ACT and didn't realize that NYU requires the Writing Test. Is it possible to take only the Writing Test and not take the entire ACT again?
No.
I am a transfer student. Do I need to take the new version of the SAT?
No, unless you will have completed less than one year of college work before you plan to enter NYU or unless you have never taken either the SAT or the ACT. Simply provide scores for the standardized tests you took while in high school.
What is the SAT Subject Test Score requirement all about?
All applicants must provide two (2) SAT Subject Test scores except for students applying for any of the programs in Tisch School of the Arts or for the studio art or any of the music programs in the Steinhardt School of Education. Students applying for programs in the Steinhardt School that do not require an audition or portfolio ARE required to submit scores from two SAT Subject Tests.
Why do you require two SAT Subject Tests for most applicants?
For a couple of reasons. First, most of our applicants were submitting scores anyway, and to be consistent in our decision-making, we want to have scores for everyone, so we could consider the same factors for all our applicants. Also, we feel that additional information about academic subject areas for each of our applicants would help us make even better admissions decisions.
Why don't students applying to the Tisch School of the Arts and the music and art programs in the Steinhardt School have to provide SAT Subject Test Scores?
The students applying to Tisch or to the music or art programs in Steinhardt are not required to provide SAT Subject Test scores because they have to provide a portfolio of their work or participate in an audition as part of their admissions requirements. The point of the SAT Subject Test requirement is to provide additional information for us to use in our decision-making; applicants to Tisch and to the music and art programs in our Steinhardt School already do that through their audition or portfolio assessment.
Which Subject Tests should I take?
The Undergraduate Admissions Committee does not require scores from any particular Subject Tests. We also do not require that students who are applying to a particular program of study at NYU provide scores from a Subject Test related to that area (for example, although many do so, prospective biology majors are not required to provide scores from the biology examination). Instead, we encourage students to select tests in subject areas that will highlight for our Committee their academic strengths. It will be helpful for our Committee in our decision making process if a student provides scores from more than one academic subject area. That is, we prefer that you dont provide scores only from, say, two mathematics tests. Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, and the results are more valuable to us if the scores you present indicate your abilities in different subject areas.
When should I take my Subject Tests?
Our best advice concerning when you should take Subject Tests is that you should take them when you feel most comfortable doing so, based on when you have enough academic preparation to enable you to do well and the subject matter is fresh in your mind. While we dont have an exact timetable for when you should take your Subject Tests, we do need you to complete your Subject Tests by certain dates, depending on your admissions status. If you are a freshman applying as an Early Decision candidate (application deadline November 1st), we recommend that you complete all of your standardized testing, including your two Subject Tests, by the October test date, and you must complete all of your testing by the November test date. If you are a freshman applying for Regular Decision (application deadline January 1st), you must complete all of your testing by the December test date at the latest.
How important are Subject Test scores in the admissions decision?
It is important to keep in mind that Subject Test results are one of a number of factors which are considered within an applicant's academic evaluation. Our Committee will be placing our greatest emphasis on in-classroom ability and will look to standardized testing to be comparable to academic success in the classroom. Admissions decisions are not based solely on individual components of the application, such as a Subject Test exam score.