Standardized Tests
All freshman applicants must submit standardized test scores. However, whereas in the past applicants were required to submit scores for the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test (ACT) as well as two SAT Subject Tests, applicants will now have several additional choices to consider as they determine the standardized test scores they choose to provide. Beginning with students applying for admission in September 2010, applicants for admission to NYU will be able to submit:
- The SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests or
- The ACT (with Writing Test) or
- The SAT Reasoning Test and two AP exam scores or
- Three SAT Subject Test scores (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language of the student’s choice) or
- Three AP exam scores (one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one non-language of the student’s choice)
Students who can demonstrate evidence of an extraordinary accomplishment outside of normal classroom or scholastic activity, such as a major publication in a national or international journal, a published book, a film or other outstanding visual or performing artistic accomplishment, a scientific or other remarkable discovery, winning a national competition, or the equivalent will be required to provide only an SAT score, or two SAT Subject Test scores, or two AP exam scores.
Note: The AP exams must be taken prior to the senior year to be applicable during the admissions cycle. International students who are in an area where the ACT Writing Test is not offered must choose one of the other test score options.
If you have taken the SAT or ACT more than once, or if you have SAT Subject Test or Advanced Placement (AP) Test scores that you wish to submit in support of your application, we recommend that you send us all of your scores. Using our requirement options above, 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!)
If you are applying as a Regular Decision Freshman, we recommend that you complete your testing by the November test date, and you must finish 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.
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