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Testing Policies

The University of Rochester’s undergraduate admissions process is test optional.  Applicants choosing not to submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration.  At the University of Rochester test optional truly does mean test optional – for all applications through all phases of the application process.

As an undergraduate applicant to Rochester, you have the choice on whether or not to include testing as part of your application. We encourage you to choose which standardized tests (including, but not limited to, SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-level exams) to include for admission, or elect to omit test scores altogether if you believe that other elements of your application represent you better. Testing is not used as a factor for merit-based scholarships.

 

Class of 2023 group photo on the quad.

Holistic review

At the University of Rochester, admission and scholarship consideration for Arts, Sciences & Engineering are based on a holistic review process that includes many academic and non-academic indicators. As we seek to enroll a diverse and talented class each year, our review procedures incorporate a variety of factors, including many kinds of academic records, and we realize that testing is not always the best reflection of a student’s academic abilities and potential for success.

Test optional

Through our test-optional approach, applicants may decide for themselves which exam, if any, is an accurate representation of their ability and potential for future success. The University will continue to review and consider test scores for those applicants who decide to submit them. Applicants choosing to not submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration.  At the University of Rochester test option truly does mean test optional – for all applicants and through all phases of the application process.

At the time of application submission, applicants will be asked to indicate if they wish to apply as test-optional or test-flexible (indicating which form of testing they wish to include). These questions are located in the University of Rochester-specific question section of the Common Application and Coalition for College Application. Students who indicated they wish to include testing as part of their application at the time of submission have until the application deadline to decide to switch their testing approach. Please note that once scores become associated with an applicant’s record, they will not be removed from the record.

Frequently asked questions

What about English testing?

For non-native speakers, familiarity with academic spoken and written English matters here. We will continue to require English-language testing (TOEFL or IELTS) for some students. Learn more.

Is testing part of your merit scholarship review?

No. Our merit scholarship review process does not include testing for any of our applicants, even for those who wish to have testing included in their application review.

If I still want to submit my tests, will that hurt my application?

No. We encourage you to put forward what you feel best represents your academic abilities and potential for success moving forward.

Do I have to submit test results to any of Rochester’s competitive programs, such as REMS, or if I want to earn a scholarship?

The REMS admission rate is about two percent. If you believe that your test results help reinforce the strength of your overall application to REMS, you should submit them. However, all candidates with an interest in REMS will receive the same thorough review, whether they submit test scores or not.

If I do want to include tests, how do I submit them?

Rochester will accept self-reported exam scores for admissions review. Applicants who self-report scores, earn admission, and choose to attend Rochester will have to send their official scores via the testing agency or on an official school document before they can enroll.

Can I still submit results from AP, IB, A-levels, WASSCE, CAPE, etc., instead of the SAT or ACT? Is Rochester still “test flexible?”

Yes. Rochester will continue to review test submissions other than the SAT or ACT and expects to continue offering admission to students whose “other” test results reinforce the overall strength of their application. 

What if my test scores appear on my transcript or I send them accidentally? Can I still be a “test-optional” applicant?

If you tell us on your application that you prefer not to submit test scores, we will not use them in our review, even if we have them. Our experienced application readers are trained to not include testing in their review for applicants who have stated they wish to be reviewed without testing. 

What if I apply without tests but send them later?

You can try, but our file review process is linear and reading timelines vary. Therefore, if the committee doesn’t see your test scores (at your request), they will not re-review your file just because test scores arrive later. Students whose initial application result in a deferral (from early decision to regular decision review) or an invitation to the waitlist can choose to submit test scores for the later reviews.

What if I submit a test at first but I want to switch to “test optional” later?

Students who, at the time of application submission, indicated they wish to include testing as part of their application may not switch their application to test-optional after the associated application deadline. Please note that once scores become associated with an applicant’s record, they will not be removed from the record.

Is it fair to use tests for some applicants and not for others? Why not just ignore all tests?

We believe this question obscures a dangerous premise. For many decades, the fact that “everyone” applying to Rochester could in theory take an ACT or SAT exam hid a deeper and important truth that some of our applicants can afford to take the test only one time, or see it for the first time in actual testing conditions, while some of our applicants have seen this kind of test many times, taken it multiple times, and can afford to spend many hours and funds preparing for it. That means the test conditions can’t be “fair.” Some of our applicants take the test untimed, based on a diagnosis of learning differences. While we value and honor those students having that opportunity, we expect that many other students whose learning differences have never been diagnosed take it as a timed test. That’s also not “fair.” Since the life circumstances prior to the test vary in uncountable ways, using the test results as a common yardstick, even in context, creates an illusion of fairness that causes more problems than it solves. 

Meanwhile, students who prepare for the test and believe the results convey something helpful about their preparation for college can submit those results to Rochester, just as others might choose to submit an extra letter of recommendation, a longer list of activities, complete an interview with us, or submit a video or portfolio.

We look forward to a time when applicants won’t take any extra test for their Rochester application, since we don’t need them. In the real world for now, as students apply to Rochester along with many other places who do require specific tests, we will continue assigning value to that effort. 

We’re here to help

Questions about our testing policies?

If you need guidance about our testing policies—or are wondering how to make your application to Rochester as strong as possible—give us a call at (585) 275-3221 or send an email to admit@admissions.rochester.edu.

Contact us

Test flexible

For students who choose to apply using test scores, a wide variety of testing can fulfill Rochester’s test-flexible application option. Testing that will fulfill our test-flexible application option includes any of the following exams:

  • SAT Reasoning; no essay required (use code 2928)
  • ACT; no essay required (use code 2980)
  • Two or more results from:
    • SAT Subject exams
    • Advanced Placement (AP)
    • International Baccalaureate (IB)*
  • AS- and A-Level Exams (in UK and Commonwealth countries) (three to four exams preferred)
  • Results from many other national secondary exams (see the list below)

*For IB, submission of test results should come as a signed and dated letter of predicted IB scores from the IBO coordinator on campus. The more detail included, the more helpful the results are to us.

Reporting scores

Student Self-Reported

For admission review, the University of Rochester will accept scores from the SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Test, ACT, or completed AP examinations that you report on your application. We are not able to accept student self-reported test scores via email, phone, or postal mail.

If you earn admission based on records including self-reported scores, our office will require you to submit the official test scores shortly after submitting your enrollment deposit and prior to your arrival on campus. Any significant discrepancies between the actual scores and the self-reported values may jeopardize a student’s place in the incoming class.

projected scores

The University of Rochester will also accept some projected exam scores (e.g., IB, A-Levels) from school officials. Please note that the school official must affix a signature verifying that they are providing a reasonable and accurate estimate of scores that the applicant is expected to earn at some future date less than one calendar year away. The more detail included, the more helpful the projected results can be.

If you earn admission based on records including projected scores, our office will require you to submit the official test scores shortly after submitting your enrollment deposit and prior to your arrival on campus. Any significant discrepancies between the actual scores and the predicted values may jeopardize a student’s place in the incoming class.

SAT/ACT Testing Deadlines

We encourage applicants to submit test scores in advance of the application deadline. However, in some cases applicants may elect to send scores from additional exams. For applicants applying early decision we will accept October ACT scores and November SAT scores to be included in your application review. For applicants applying regular decision we will accept December ACT and SAT scores to be included in your application.

Application Plan Latest Testing (ACT) Latest Testing (SAT)
Early Decision I October November
Early Decision II October November
Regular Decision December December

Additional Information on Testing

We superscore testing, meaning we use your highest SAT or ACT subscores in our final decision, even if they are from different test dates. However, we do not combine SAT and ACT for a hybrid superscore.

Enrolling students who have chosen to include testing as part of their application for admission will need to submit official test scores that mirror their self-reported and/or projected (if used for review); scores must be submitted either directly from the testing agency (preferred), included on an official secondary school transcript sent directly from the secondary school, or submitted by a school counselor (or designated official) when that counselor/official has been indicated as the student’s counselor on the application.

List of approved national exams

The list below indicates, by country, which examinations will fulfill our test-flexible application option. The list is not comprehensive and will be updated as new examinations are approved.

Please email admissions with questions regarding examinations that are not included in this list.

Australia

Students may submit their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or Overall Position (OP) positioning and one of the following:

  • Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate
  • New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC)
  • Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET)
  • Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
  • South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
  • Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE)
  • Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), or
  • Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Austria
  • Matura
Belgium
  • Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts (German)
  • Certificat d’enseignement secondaire supérieur (CESS) (French)
  • Diploma van secundair onderwijs (Flemish)
Brazil
  • Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Medio + Vestibular (University Entrance Exam)
  • Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio/Middle Education National Examination (ENEM)
Brunei
  • General Certificate Exam (GCE) Advanced Levels
Bulgaria
  • Matura
Canada
  • Canadian Provincial Secondary School qualifications
Cameroon
  • General Certificate Exam (GCE) Advanced Levels
Caribbean
  • Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination
Chile
  • Prueba De Seleccion Universitaria
China
Costa Rica
  • Bachillerato Nacional
Croatia
  • Matura
Cyprus
  • Apolytirion
Czech Republic
  • Maturitní zkouška (Maturity Certificate)
Denmark
  • Studentereksamen (Upper Secondary School Leaving Exam) (STX)
  • Hǿjere Forberedelseseksamen (Higher Preparatory Exam) (HF)
Estonia
  • Riigieksamitunnistus
Europe
  • European Baccalaureate (EB)
Finland
  • Ylioppilastutkintotodistus (Matriculation Examination Certificate)
France
  • Baccalauréat
Germany
  • Abitur
Greece
  • Apolytirion
Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Advanced Level Certificate
  • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Hungary
  • Érettségi vizsga (Maturity Certificate)
India
  • Indian School Certificate (ISC)
  • All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE)
  • Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC)
  • Other state examinations may be considered on request
Indonesia
  • National Examination
Italy
  • Diploma Di Esame Di Stato (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
Ireland
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
Israel
  • Teudat Bagrut
Korea
  • 대학수학능력시험 (College Scholastic Ability Test: CSAT)
Kosovo
  • Testi i Maturës Shtetërore (State Matura Test)
Latin America
  • Prueba de Aptitud Academica (PAA)
Lithuania
  • Brandos Atestatas (Maturity Certificate)
Liechtenstein
  • Matura
Luxembourg
  • Diplôme de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires
Macedonia
  • Државна матура (State Matura)
Malaysia
  • Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM/Malaysian Higher School Certificate)
Maldives
  • General Certificate Exam (GCE) Advanced Levels
Malta
  • Advanced Level Matriculation Certificate
Mauritius
  • Cambridge Overseas High School Certificate
Montenegro
  • Secondary School Leaving Diploma
Mexico
  • CENEVAL EXANI II
Monaco
  • French Baccalauréat
  • Option Internationale du Baccalauréat
Namibia
  • Cambridge Overseas High School Certificate
Netherlands
  • Staatsexamen VWO
New Zealand
  • National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Norway
  • Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole (Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate)
Pakistan
  • Higher Secondary School Certificate Exams
Poland
  • Egzamin maturalny (Matura)
Puerto Rico
  • Prueba de Aptitude Academica (PAA)
Romania
  • Baccalaureate
Scotland
  • Advanced Highers (Highers meet minimum requirements; Advanced Highers is recommended)
Serbia
  • Matura
Singapore
  • Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate Exam (GCE) Advanced Levels
Slovakia
  • Slovakian Maturitńa Skúška (Maturita)
Slovenia
  • Splošna Matura
Spain
  • Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad (Selectividad)
Sri Lanka
  • General Certificate Exam (GCE) Advanced Levels
Sweden
  • Avgangsbetyg
Switzerland
  • Swiss Federal Maturity Certificate
Tanzania
  • Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate (COHSC)
  • Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education
Taiwan
  • General Scholastic Ability Test (GSAT)
Uganda
  • Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE)
United Kingdom (British Curriculum)
  • GCE Advanced Level Examinations or equivalent combination of AS-Level and A-Level examinations Pre U Examinations
West Africa
  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination
Zimbabwe
  • ZIMSEC ‘A’ Level Examination
  • Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate (COHSC)
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