Penn Admissions: International Entrance Examinations

International Entrance Examinations

The University of Pennsylvania requires that all freshman applicants take the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests, or the ACT with writing. These examinations are given throughout the world several times a year. Credentials earned within your educational system cannot be substituted for these examinations.
All testing must be completed prior to the application deadline so that the scores will reach Penn in time for consideration. Most applicants take the exams more than once.
Although no special preparation is required, students educated abroad may wish to request copies of two booklets, Taking the SAT I and Taking the SAT II, when registering to take these examinations. These booklets give sample questions and will help to familiarize the international student with the timed, "objective-type" examinations used by the College Board.

For more information about the SATs, contact the Educational Testing Service. For help with International Student SAT Registration the College Board site is helpful. For more information about the American College Tests, contact the ACT.

Students who are non-native English speakers must also sit for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To register for the TOEFL write to: TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541, USA (Fax: +1-609-771-7500; Telephone: +1-609-771-7100; visit TOEFL's website.
Non-native English speakers who are attending English-speaking schools are also encouraged to sit for the TOEFL, because this test may yield a higher score than the verbal portion of the SAT Reasoning Test.
Prospective applicants should register for TOEFL two-to-three months before the test administration date.
Be sure to designate Penn as a recipient university each time you register. Penn's school code is 2926. If you are in your final year and are testing in October or later, we recommend that you do not use Score Choice. If you have taken the test but did not designate Penn as a score recipient, please do so afterwards. Send Penn an unofficial copy of your scores as well.