New Standardized Testing Policy Q & A
I’ve heard that NYU is going test optional. Is that true?
No. We are not going "test optional." All freshman applicants will still be expected to submit standardized test scores. We are going “SAT and ACT optional.” Students will have numerous additional options to submit test scores and will no longer be required to submit their scores from the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT.
Isn’t going SAT/ACT optional really just about getting more applications?
Actually, we received a record number of applications this year, so no, we are not particularly anxious to increase our application totals. What we said was that applications from students with lower SATs have been declining. We really are not looking for more applications per se. We are not encouraging students with low SAT scores but little interest in NYU to apply. We simply do not want otherwise talented students who would be a great match for NYU to continue to choose not to apply solely because of their SAT scores.
Okay. But if you feel that way, why not go all the way and go test-optional?
Two reasons. First, our own research shows that standardized test scores, including the SAT itself, does improve the predictability of freshman year success over just the high school transcript itself. Second, we receive applications from over 8,000 high schools each year. Given that we cannot be certain of the level or the quality of instruction in all cases, we need a standardized measure to assist us as we make our decisions.
How will I know which scores to submit?
Trying to figure this out may be a little tricky for some students, particularly since you often have to decide where to send your scores before you actually take the test and before you know what your scores will be. Our advice is to send us all of your scores, and not agonize over the choice. Using our requirement options, we will use the combination of scores that best presents your candidacy. (Our policy has always been to consider an applicant’s best scores, using the higher of the SAT or the ACT if we had both, and using the higher score from different test dates, so we are used to doing this!)
So what happens if I send you scores that I have decided to provide, but you are able to see all of my other scores (some of which might be lower) because I had to list them on my application?
We will use the official scores that you provide. We will continue to require that students have official scores sent directly to NYU from the testing agencies. Again, we encourage you to send all of your scores. Essentially, we are promising to ignore the scores listed on your application in favor of the scores you provide; if those scores turn out to be lower than the scores you’ve listed but haven’t provided, you are doing yourself a disservice by not providing all of your scores. Again, this is what we are already doing in our decision-making process.
What should I do if I send you certain scores, then I take another test and those scores turn out to be better than the ones I have already provided? How do I substitute my most recent scores for those earlier scores?
You do not have to "cancel" or "replace" lower scores. As we have indicated, we will automatically use your highest scores as our basis of admission. Just be certain to have those most recent scores sent to us by the deadline.
Do you prefer certain tests over others?
No; the whole point of offering the additional testing options is to enable our applicants to demonstrate their academic strengths using a wider variety of tests. There are only two requirements. First, students who choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores must provide a score that will satisfy the literature/humanities requirement and a score that satisfies the math/science requirement. Only certain Subject tests and AP Exams will satisfy these requirements. (Refer to the list on the Standardized Testing Policy page.) Second, we require that the third SAT Subject Test Scores you submit be from non-language tests. This is not the case if you are submitting two Subject Test scores in conjunction with SAT scores.
You say that I may submit three SAT Subject Test scores or three AP scores in place of SAT or ACT scores. I’d like to submit, say, two Subject test scores and one AP score. Is it possible to “mix and match” scores?
Yes, as long as you fulfill the literature/humanities and math/science requirements, you may provide two scores from one test and one from the other. Once again, we urge you to send all of your testing to NYU, which enables us to select the scores that best represent your application.
Along those same lines, if I provide scores for the SAT Reasoning Test, may I submit scores from two AP Exams instead of scores from two Subject tests, or one AP Exam and one Subject Test?
Yes.
There are AP Exams for which NYU grants credit that are not listed as satisfying the literature/humanities requirement or the math/science requirement. May I submit scores from these Exams?
Yes. Scores from these exams – such as Psychology, Computer Science, and Comparative Government and Politics – would be considered the “exam of the student’s choice.”
What AP scores do I need in order to receive an offer of admission?
As with any standardized test score that we consider in our decision-making process, we do not have “minimum” or “cutoff” scores. NYU typically offers credit only for AP scores of 4 or 5, and of course, higher scores seldom weaken an application (although a student with several 4’s and 5’s probably will not receive an offer of admission if the high school record is mediocre). Students with lower AP scores might want to take advantage of one of the other testing options NYU offers to best represent their application.
What if I am in an International Baccalaureate (IB) program? Will IB predicted results satisfy the NYU testing requirement?
No. While NYU highly regards the IB curriculum and encourages all applicants to challenge themselves academically, IB predicted results will not be accepted in lieu of AP, SAT Subject Test, ACT, or SAT scores. Predicted results are just that: predicted. (Note: If you have completed your IB Diploma prior to filing an application for admission, you have the option of satisfying the NYU standardized testing requirement by submitting the results of 3 Higher Level Examinations for consideration.)
Will the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) satisfy the NYU testing requirement?
No, not alone. TOEFL results indicate a student’s English language ability, not their mastery of a particular subject or subjects. For students whose instruction has not been in English, TOEFL is an additional testing requirement, and may not be used as a substitute for other tests.
Since NYU does not award credit for certain Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, such as Human Geography, Art History, Music, and English Language, will these exams satisfy the admissions testing requirement?
No. However, scores from all other AP exams may be submitted (remember that one must be in literature or the humanities and one in math or science).
You have said that students with "extraordinary accomplishment outside of normal classroom or scholastic activity," need only submit two Subject Test or AP scores instead of three. How do I know if I qualify? Do I need to submit something to provide evidence of my "extraordinary accomplishment?"
To be honest, we expect that very few students will be in this category. And to be sure, we DO NOT want students to submit CD’s of artistic performances, papers or research findings, or portfolios of art work, etc. We anticipate that your extraordinary accomplishment will essentially speak for itself, and we neither expect nor require the submission of additional materials. Instead, you may address this issue in the “Additional Information” section of your application, or ask your guidance counselor to refer to it in his or her recommendation. Once again, our best recommendation is to submit all of your scores and let us decide whether we will use two scores or three scores as our basis of admission.