Test-Optional at Virginia Tech

Applicants are no longer required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of the review process. It gives each applicant the opportunity to choose whether or not they want scores reviewed with their application.

Yes, but the change in preference must be made prior to the deadline of your specific decision plan type. Here are the deadlines to change preferences:

• Early Action: November 15
• Regular Decision: January 15

The financial aid process will not be impacted in any way for students who do not want their test scores reviewed.

Yes, applicants who do not want their test scores reviewed are eligible for scholarships. The scholarship selection process has adjusted to accommodate the test-optional policy.

As in previous years, we will not utilize ACT or SAT test scores when reviewing transfer applicants.

You can contact our office about switching your preference to a test-optional review.

English proficiency exams are still required for applicants whose native language is not English. For more information on English proficiency tests, please visit the International Admissions Requirements webpage.

If you indicated a test-optional preference, those scores will be ignored by the admissions committee.

All majors follow the test-optional policy. There are no majors that need test scores in order for the review process to take place.

The decision to submit test scores is a personal decision for each applicant. We encourage you to review your test scores along with your application and academic documents to make the decision that feels best for you. 

• If you feel your scores supplement your application and add value to your academic achievement, you may want to select for your scores to be reviewed. 
• If you feel that your test scores are not a good reflection of who you are as a student and may distract from your achievement in the classroom, then you may not want them reviewed.

Please note that test scores are only one piece of holistic review at Virginia Tech and we have no preference on whether or not you submit scores.

Many of the transformational changes that we began adopting in 2018 have already placed less emphasis on standardized test scores, so test-optional is not a major shift in our review process.

In reviewing applications that do not include SAT or ACT scores, the Admissions Committee will place greater emphasis on other required application materials such as grades, course rigor, Ut Prosim Profile, and co-curricular involvement.