Lesson 8 · 7 min
Which exams do you actually need?
Tests are tools, not automatic tickets to a scholarship. The right testing plan depends on where you apply. This chapter explains U.S. undergraduate admissions; specific colleges set their own rules.
01SAT / ACT
Some universities require SAT or ACT, some allow applicants to choose whether to submit them, and some do not consider them. Test policies can change between application cycles. Scholarships may have their own testing conditions.
02English proficiency
IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo English Test may demonstrate English proficiency. A university can waive a test under specific conditions, or it may accept only certain exams. SAT reading is not automatically a substitute.
03Should you retake a test?
Consider official requirements, your available preparation time, fees and whether a higher score will meaningfully help at the institutions on your list. Do not assume every student needs an extraordinarily high SAT.
04Practical first step
Create a simple table of each college’s current test policy, accepted tests, minimums if specified, waiver rules, score submission method and last accepted test date.
05SAT versus IELTS in one sentence
SAT tests academic Reading and Writing and Math. IELTS or DET is normally used to provide evidence of English proficiency. A college may ask for either, both, or neither depending on its published rules.
06Do not guess a universal target
A score people celebrate online is not automatically a required minimum or a full-ride threshold. Look at the official admissions and scholarship requirements for your specific target school.
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