Standardized Tests

Standardized Testing Update for Fall 2027

The submission of SAT or ACT scores will remain optional for Fall 2027 first-year and transfer admission to Tulane. We do, however, have two changes to our policy and guidance on when students should consider submitting test scores.

Policy Changes

  1. The submission of SAT or ACT scores will now be required for admission to Tulane's Pathways to Medicine program. Pathways to Medicine is an invitation-only program that provides simultaneous admission to Tulane's undergraduate college (Newcomb-Tulane College) and Tulane's School of Medicine, leading to a bachelor's degree and a Doctor of Medicine degree.

  2. While not required, the submission of ACT/SAT testing and/or AP exams, IB predicted or actual results, Cambridge International A levels, and other international exams will be a preferred credential for students seeking academic merit scholarships..

    Standardized testing will not be a factor in the awarding of need-based financial aid, nor in the awarding of artistic, athletic, or service-related merit scholarships.

Guidance on Test Score Submission

  • Generally, we will encourage students with a 1300 or higher on the SAT and a 28 on the ACT to submit test scores as such scores may strengthen your application for admission, assuming your academic record is strong. Similarly, for students taking AP exams, scores of 4 or 5 may strengthen your application for admission.
  • Submission of the SAT Essay, ACT Writing and ACT Science sections are optional.
  • Students who want test scores considered should be aware of Tulane's application deadlines, which will be different based on application round (e.g. Early Decision, Early Action, Early Decision 2, Regular Decision). We cannot guarantee the consideration of test scores submitted after our application deadlines.
  • Tulane will consider the highest scores for each section of the SAT or the ACT (a process commonly known as “super scoring”) among all scores submitted.

Submitting Your Scores

Applicants may self-report scores or submit scores via the testing agency. Self-reported test scores may be submitted (and updated) in the following ways:

Self-reported scores should not be "superscored" or recalculated and should be reported exactly as received for each testing date. Tulane will calculate your highest possible scores.

Official test scores from the testing agency are required of students who are admitted and choose to enroll. Official scores are required within three weeks of submitting the enrollment deposit. Here are Tulane's test score codes:

  • Tulane's ACT Code: 1614
  • Tulane's SAT Code: 6832

Note that Tulane reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if an applicant's self-reported test scores do not align with those in the official score report.

How Scores Are Reviewed

It is our policy to consider the score from either exam that represents applicants in the most positive academic light; therefore, we do not have a preference for either standardized test over the other.

  • We superscore the SAT, meaning that we will consider the highest section scores across all SAT score reports from all SAT test dates. When reporting scores on the application, students should report all scores from single test dates only and should not recalculate their own superscores. Tulane will calculate the superscore.
  • We superscore the ACT, meaning that we will consider the highest section scores across all ACT score reports from all ACT test dates. This means that we will include a science score if one is provided, even if you have taken the ACT with and without the science section. When reporting scores on the application, students should report all scores from single test dates only and should not recalculate their own superscores. Tulane will calculate the superscore.

International applicants

Though neither ACT or SAT scores are required for admission, an English language proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge C1/C2) is required for admission if you are not a native speaker of English.