University of Alabama System Reverses Test-Optional Policy, Mandates SAT or ACT Scores

The University of Alabama System board of trustees has announced that standardized test scores will once again be required for admissions. This change affects all three campuses: Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville.

The system will phase out its current test-optional policy over the next few years. Students applying for the 2026-27 academic year are still not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Senior Vice Chancellor Tonjanita Johnson emphasized the value of test scores in predicting student success. She explained that these scores provide important academic insights within the holistic review process.

Starting with the 2027-28 academic year, campuses will implement minimum high school GPA thresholds for students to qualify for test-optional status. At the same time, expectations for testing requirements will be clearly defined by each campus.

From the 2028-29 academic year onward, all first-year undergraduate applicants must include standardized test scores in their application packages. This mandatory policy applies across the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Alabama at Huntsville.

The University of Alabama system had initially adopted a test-optional pilot program during the pandemic in 2020. This was intended to accommodate challenges faced by students in accessing standardized testing services.

The University’s enrollment has continued to climb, reaching a record 42,360 students this fall. The reintroduction of testing aims to support admissions decisions and maintain high academic standards.

For comparison, Auburn University also announced the end of its test-optional policy earlier this year. Their requirement will begin with applicants for the 2027-28 academic year, aligning with broader regional trends in college admissions.

In summary, the University of Alabama system is gradually moving back toward requiring standardized test scores, underscoring their role in evaluating student readiness. Applicants should prepare to submit SAT or ACT results starting with the 2028-29 admissions cycle.