Test Optional

Some applicants may feel that their standardized test scores do not accurately reflect their academic potential. A test optional admissions policy allows the applicant to choose whether or not SAT or ACT test scores will be considered as part of the admission review – letting the applicant decide how best to tell their own academic journey.

The Office of Undergraduate Admission will review applications in a holistic manner – taking into consideration the rigor of high school coursework, activities and engagement outside the classroom as well as a written essay.

There is no right or wrong answer. Standardized scores have always been only one factor of admission consideration. As always, we want an application to submit anything that can help us in determining an offer of admission to the University of Kentucky.

Applicants are encouraged to consider this decision before submitting the application for admission. Applicants may submit test scores up until the Early Action deadline of December 1, or the Regular Decision deadline of February 15. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 credit hours may submit test scores until the spring admission application deadline of November 15, or the fall application deadline of July 1.

UK is fully test optional for admissions and scholarship. Each college with selective majors have different requirements for test-optional students.  Learn more about those options here. 

The University of Kentucky is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. As with any year, there are limited scholarship funds, so please be sure to apply early. Freshman students who apply by the Early Action deadline of December 1, will be considered. Transfer students with fewer than 24 college credit hours are not eligible for academic scholarships.

UK has a “no harm” policy for submitting ACT/SAT scores, meaning that submitting your scores to UK will not negatively impact your consideration for potential academic/competitive scholarship opportunities.  If you submit ACT/SAT test scores but your unweighted high school GPA alone qualifies you for consideration for a higher scholarship award, the Office of Academic Scholarships will use your unweighted GPA alone for scholarship consideration.