Thinking About Attending an International University? SAT & ACT May Still Factor In
Do you dream of spending your college years studying under the Eiffel Tower or becoming fluent in Spanish in bustling Madrid? Navigating the application process for international universities and colleges still requires time and preparation, and taking standardized tests.
Whether you’re a U.S. or non-U.S. student considering going to college in Europe, Asia, or other global regions, chances are you may need an ACT or SAT test score to be considered for admission. Currently, more than 700 non-U.S. universities accept ACT and SAT and trends show that the number of international students taking those tests is on the rise. The introduction of the digital SAT, which launched internationally over a year ago, is certainly allowing for greater access around the globe. According to the College Board, the organization that develops and administers the SAT, they have administered over 300,000 digital SAT tests internationally to students in 183 countries since March 2023.
European Universities Turning to the Test
Most European universities have their own individualized admissions tests, which means students can find themselves taking multiple different exams if they are applying to several colleges. Today, however, many of the top-ranked universities, such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, are also accepting the SAT and ACT, allowing students a more streamlined option for their applications, which may include schools in and outside the U.S.
As you would expect, scores for admission are competitive at Europe’s top-ranked universities, much as they are in the United States. At Oxford, for instance, minimum scores for admitted students are typically around 1480 on the SAT and 33 on the ACT. Colleges like Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, are giving more and more weight to standardized testing, which now accounts for 55 per cent of their admissions decisions. Their minimum scores for admitted students have grown more competitive over the last several years as well.
Still, not all European universities accept the SAT and ACT, so students are encouraged to carefully review the websites of schools they plan to apply to. In some cases, students may be required to take a university-specific admissions test, each of which can vary in length, subjects covered, and how they are scored and considered in admissions. If you have to take one of these tests, make sure to do your research and inquire at the university about practice tests and tutoring that could help you prepare.
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How to Decide if You Should Take and/or Submit the SAT or ACT for International Schools
In the ever-changing landscape of “optional” testing in the United States, knowing how to approach testing for international colleges can add to the confusion. Here are a few tips to assist you with those SAT/ACT decisions for your international applications:
Take the SAT or ACT if you are applying to U.S. universities, as well as international ones. That way, you’ll have scores that you can hopefully use for most of the schools on your list.
Take the tests if you are applying to any of the universities in the UK that accept the SAT or ACT. You will need a good score to get an edge in the competitive admissions for those schools.
If you have not scored well on the SAT or ACT, then consider taking the individual tests offered by the universities you are considering.
We’re here to help. Whether you need to discover whether you test better on the SAT or ACT, need help preparing for the tests, or need guidance on the entire college application process, including choosing and applying to international universities if that is your dream, contact us for a free consultation.
