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Testing Policy (SAT/ACT)

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Standardized Tests (ACT/SAT) for First-Year Admission

 

Test-Optional FAQs

Check out the FAQs below or watch a video of Dean Einstein explaining our test-optional plans in the Horned Frog Blog.

TCU reviews applications holistically, meaning we evaluate a range of factors that allow us to gain as complete an understanding of the applicant as possible. The results of SAT or ACT are factored in if students choose to submit them, but they are not required for students graduating high school through 2025. When included, they provide additional contextualized data.

If you submit scores from more than one sitting of the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT, we will consider your highest section scores across multiple sittings or test dates (“Super-Score”). We will consider your highest Math, your highest Critical Reading and your highest Writing scores even if you earn them on separate test dates for the SAT. We will consider your highest English, Math, Reading, and Science scores even if you earn them on separate test dates for the ACT. Please submit your scores from all test dates that include a highest score on one of the three sections of the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. If you’re not sure, you should submit all scores. We will look at the best scores using the methods described below.

  • SAT: Highest Section – highest CR, highest M and highest W (Super-Score)*
  • ACT: Highest Section – highest English, highest Math, highest Reading, highest Science (Super-Score)
  • Better of SAT or ACT, if you submit both
  • SAT Subject Tests are not required

If you submit scores from both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT, we will compare your best on each test (according to the methods described above), and then we will consider the score which most benefits your application for admission.

TCU does not consider the results of the PSAT, PLAN or any state-administered exam (e.g. TAKS) in admission decisions.

TCU is test-optional through 2025.

  • Opportunity to exhibit potential for academic success
  • Considered alongside other academic credentials – no minimum score

At TCU, our goal is to use testing to give you every possible opportunity to exhibit potential for academic success. ACT or SAT scores are helpful because they provide a similar scale of performance for all applicants on a nationally standardized exam. We do not look at scores in isolation, however. Instead, we consider the test scores alongside your other academic credentials such as high school course selection, grades in high school, class rank if available, any college coursework completed, and teacher recommendations. Consequently, there are no ‘cut-scores’ which would either guarantee or prevent admission to TCU.

 

  • SAT: Highest Section – highest CR, highest M and highest W (Super-Score)*
  • ACT: Highest Section – highest English, highest Math, highest Reading, highest Science (Super-Score)
  • Better of SAT or ACT, if you submit both
  • SAT Subject Tests not required

At TCU, we want to give you the benefit of having taken a test more than once. We encourage you to send scores from all of the tests you have taken. We will look at the best scores using the methods described below.

 

If you submit scores from more than one sitting of the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT, we will consider your highest section scores across multiple sittings or test dates (“Super-Score”). We will consider your highest Math, your highest Critical Reading and your highest Writing scores even if you earn them on separate test dates for the SAT. We will consider your highest English, Math, Reading, and Science scores even if you earn them on separate test dates for the ACT. Please submit your scores from all test dates that include a highest score on one of the three sections of the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. If you’re not sure, you should submit all scores.

 

SAT tests taken before March 2016 cannot be super scored with SAT tests taken March 2016 and after due to the change in formatting.

 

If you submit scores from both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT, we will compare your best on each test (according to the methods described above), and then we will consider the score which most benefits your application for admission.

 

TCU does not require you to submit scores from any SAT Subject Tests, though you may wish to do so if you feel they will enhance your application for admission.

 

TCU does not consider the results of the PSAT, PLAN or any state-administered exam (e.g. TAKS) in admission decisions.

 

  • Submit either ACT or SAT – no preference
  • Take the test prior to the application deadline – even if scores will arrive a bit later
  • Report all SAT and/or ACT scores you have earned

If you’re applying as a to TCU, you must submit the results of at least one ACT or SAT. We have no preference which test you submit; each test is considered with equal importance. You should talk with your high school counselor if you are unsure which test to take. For both the ACT and SAT, we do not require or recommend the writing/essay portion of the exam.

 

We accept self-reported scores, meaning you may send an email to frogmail@tcu.eduwith your section scores and test date. Many students choose to email a screen shot of their test results, which is also acceptable. If you are admitted and decide to enroll at TCU, we would require your official test scores from the testing agency at that time.

 

You should plan to take the test prior to the appropriate application deadline. In some cases, your scores will not be available until after the deadline – as long as you’ve requested the scores be sent to TCU when you registered for the exam, we will receive them in time to consider them as part of your application.