Required Tests
Penn requires either the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests OR the ACT with Writing.
Penn's Testing Policy:
All Scores Required for Review
Penn's response to The College Board's Score-Use testing policy for students is to request the student's entire testing history.
Penn's admissions office requires data and information to make informed decisions. Although Penn will always utilize the highest scores from any test or subsection in the review of a candidate's application, having the complete testing profile provides deeper insight. Improvement in scores over a period of time, consistency in scoring or the knowledge that a student took the test once (as a relatively high scorer or even a lower score) provides information helpful in the review process.
We do expect that many students will have a higher composite during one sitting, with an individual score on one of the three sections higher from another administration. Again, Penn will take the highest of any individual scores from any administration.
Furthermore, if the new Score-Use policy creates behavior that may be unproductive, like taking the test at an earlier stage and taking the test more than 3 times, the Admissions Committee can benefit from that information. And if students know that some schools will ask for all the tests, this behavior may be discouraged.
Which Test?
Penn requires first-year applicants to take the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests in different subjects OR the ACT Plus Writing. No preference is given to either test. However, Penn requires that applicants submit all testing results from each administration of the ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject Tests. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that official score reports are released and submitted to the University of Pennsylvania for all tests taken.
The SAT
- Freshman applicants choosing the SAT must take the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests.
- Candidates to the School of Engineering and Applied Science are strongly encouraged to take both a Mathematics and Physics Subject Test.
- Candidates to the Wharton School are strongly encouraged to take a Mathematics Subject Test.
- Candidates to the School of Nursing are strongly encouraged to take a science Subject Test, preferably Chemistry.
- Students interested in science-related fields in the College of Arts and Sciences are encouraged to take a related science Subject Test.
- Registration materials for the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests may be obtained from your guidance office.
The ACT
The American College Test with Writing, may be used in lieu of the SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests. No preference is given to either test.
When to Take the Tests
- Early Decision candidates should take these examinations during the junior year, but certainly no later than November of the senior year.
- Regular Decision candidates are strongly encouraged to complete all testing by December of their senior year. January testing will be accepted.
- Please Note: Using the score suppression option may result in scores not being received by the applicable deadline.
