Testing Policy for Undergraduate Admission

The policy will go into effect for students applying for Fall 2026. Until then, the University of Miami (UM) will remain test optional for the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 entry terms. Students who apply for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 can choose whether they want to have their test scores considered.

Not at all. UM is test optional through the Spring 2026 entry term and will standby that commitment to all prospective students who apply without test scores in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Beginning in Fall 2026, the test score policy applies to the undergraduate admissions process. 

• Refer to the graduate, professional, and medical school admissions processes for their respective testing requirements. 

The test score policy applies to most high school students, with some exceptions. The following populations may still choose whether to apply to UM with or without test scores when the test score requirement goes back into effect for Fall 2026. 

• First-year applicants who will graduate from a high school/secondary school outside of the United States. 
• Transfer applicants who will have earned 30 or more postsecondary credits at the time of application submission. 
• First-year and transfer applicants applying to performance-based academic programs, including performance majors in the Frost School of Music* 
• First-year and transfer applicants applying to portfolio-based academic programs, including all majors in the School of Architecture†

*All performance majors in the Frost School must audition as part of their application process. 

†Only those students who apply to the School of Architecture without test scores are required to submit a portfolio as part of their application process. 

The decision was informed by UM’s own internal data analysis which showed that standardized testing is a predictor of academic success. Additionally, leadership wanted the Office of Undergraduate Admission to have an additional predictive data point during its holistic review process.

UM will consider self-reported test scores on the Common Application.

• Students may only self-report test scores that they have already received.
• Students may not self-report test scores for a future test date or expected results.

Only those students who are admitted and choose to enroll at UM will be required to submit official scores from the testing agencies.

UM uses holistic admissions, which considers many factors in the review process. Along with a student’s high school record, including grade point average and rigor of curriculum, and other factors, such as extracurricular activities, community involvement, work, personal statements, and recommendations, test scores help shape the review process of a student’s application.

Standardized tests are but one component of a broader holistic review. A key driving factor in our review is the academic record, taken within context of each applicant’s high school environment.

Yes, especially since our admissions decisions are not driven or made by test score alone. The current mid-50 percent range is in the context of a test optional admission process with approximately 60% of admitted students reporting their test scores.

Historical test score ranges of past admitted student cohorts can be found on the Admitted Student Profile page.

Yes. Your super score is the average of your best scores from each subject area from multiple test attempts.

While UM’s own internal data analysis showed that test scores can be a predictor of academic success, a student’s high school record, including grade point average and rigor of curriculum, also are predictive and key driving factors in our review.

UM does not prefer one standardized test over the other. It also doesn’t matter how many times you take the SAT and/or ACT, or report having taken the SAT and/or ACT.

We encourage applicants to take the exam:

• That is most readily available in their area.
• They are studying and most prepared for.

No, we do not require science section of the ACT.

No. Beginning in Fall 2026, only the SAT or ACT will satisfy our test score requirement.

• Students can update their self-reported test scores until the Final Credentials Deadline for each admissions plan.
• Students are required to submit official test scores after they have been admitted and enrolled.
• Students may not submit scores they expect to receive for a future test date

Test scores are but one metric considered in the administration of merit scholarships. Keep in mind that our review for admission to UM and merit scholarship consideration is holistic; in other words, test scores do not drive our admissions or scholarship decisions. We consider the whole student, that is to say, everything presented in the admissions application and supporting documents. All admitted students will be automatically considered for merit scholarships.

Yes. UM uses holistic admissions, which considers many factors in the review process. Along with a student’s academic record, including grade point average and rigor of curriculum within high school context, and other factors, such as extracurricular activities, community involvement, work, personal statements, and recommendations, test scores help shape the review process of a student’s application.

Admitted students may submit a request to change majors within the school or college to which they were admitted at any point. Requests to change majors are reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admission until mid-May.

Admitted students must wait until after the first day of classes to submit a request to change their school and college. Requests are not guaranteed to be approved.

Note, merit scholarships tied to specific academic programs may not be transferrable to another UM school or college. Admitted students should refer to the language in their scholarship agreements for more details.

Yes. If students want to earn a higher placement in math, for example, they can take the ALEKS. Students who are eligible to apply without test scores must take the ALEKS for placement in math. (see question above “To whom does this policy apply” for exceptions to the policy).

There are many ways to fulfill the English language proficiency requirement at UM, and one of those could be the use of SAT or ACT scores. Please review the English Proficiency Requirements page for more details.

To support your preparation, you might find it helpful to use free resources like Khan Academy or join a free SAT bootcamp through Schoolhouse.world. The ACT and College Board also offer sample tests that can help you practice. These free programs provide valuable tools for students, especially those from under-resourced schools, to build skills that will not only aid in standardized testing but also in college success.

For the SAT, connect with CollegeBoard or your school counselor.

For the ACT, please review the ACT website for more details.

Yes, you may update your decision to have your application reviewed with or without test scores even after you have submitted your application. Applicants may update their file until the Final Credentials Deadline of their chosen admission plan.

Here are some examples of testing-specific updates applicants can make:

• Submit test scores for the Admission Committee’s consideration
• Update your test scores
• Update your choice to be test optional or not

To make these and other changes, applicants must complete the Test Score Updates form in the Applicant Portal.

Submit your application by the stated deadline: November 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action or January 6 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. We hope that offering you the opportunity to make these updates until the Final Credentials Deadline of your chosen admission plan deadline will provide you with any needed flexibility.

All Fall 2025 prospective students – regardless of whether or not they apply under the test optional policy – were considered for merit scholarships.

To be considered for the Premier Scholarships, prospective students must apply by the November 1 deadline.

No, these prospective students have previously been permitted to apply for admission without test scores.

Yes, all Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 applicants may choose whether or not to submit test scores as part of their admission application.

Frost School of Music applicants must still audition whether or not they apply under the test optional policy.

School of Architecture applicants must submit a portfolio for review if they apply under the test optional policy.

Yes. Note that home-schooled students may be required to submit additional requirements, such as an admission interview.

Prospective transfer students who apply to UM for either the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 entry terms with fewer than 30 postsecondary credits at the time they are applying for admission will not be required to submit test scores.

Yes, student athletes may apply test optional for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.