Standardized Tests
Standardized tests are an important part of the admissions process. All applicants to NYU must provide official test scores from either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT examination. Students completing high school in 2009 must provide scores from the SAT (which includes the Writing section), or from the ACT and the ACT Writing Test. We will use your highest combined SAT scores or your highest ACT scores in evaluating your application. International students who are in an area where the ACT Writing Test is not offered must take the SAT.
If you are applying as a Regular Decision Freshman, you should plan on completing your testing by the December test date. We strongly recommend that Early Decision applicants complete all testing by the October test date, although November scores usually arrive in time to be considered.
All students, except for those noted below, are also required to submit two SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as "SAT II" tests). This requirement does not apply to those students applying for programs in our Tisch School of the Arts or for the studio art or for any of the music programs in our Steinhardt School of Education. (Note that students applying to programs in Steinhardt that do not require an audition or portfolio are required to submit two SAT Subject Test scores.) The purpose of providing SAT Subject Test scores is to assist us in determining how well prepared you are for college-level work, which is, of course, similar to the reason we ask visual and performing arts students to provide a portfolio or perform an audition.
If English is not your native language and if your primary language of instruction has not been English, you should also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). (Please see the International Applicants Section for additional information.)
Official test scores should be sent directly to NYU from the testing agencies. The NYU code for the College Board (SAT Reasoning Test, SAT I, SAT Subject Tests, SAT II Examinations, and TOEFL) is 2562; the ACT code for NYU is 2838. Please do not use the "Rush Report" option to have a paper copy of your SAT scores sent. We receive daily electronic transmissions of SAT scores, which enables us to update your application automatically and far more quickly than we are able to do if we receive paper score reports.
Find out more about standardized testing at:
SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests: www.collegeboard.com
ACT: www.act.org
TOEFL: www.ets.org/toefl