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Enrollment Management and Services 
Undergraduate Admissions

Test Score Consideration in Admission Decisions

NC State will be test optional for fall 2025 and spring 2026 first-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above.

Test Optional

NC State will be test optional for first-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above. That’s the equivalent of a B- average. 

Prospective students who plan to apply for fall 2025 or spring 2026 with a weighted GPA greater than or equal to 2.5 and less than 2.8 will be required to self-report a standardized test score with your application (ACT or SAT).

Prospective students who plan to apply for fall 2026 and beyond with a weighted GPA greater than or equal to 2.5 and less than 2.8 will be required to submit a standardized test score of a 17 or higher on the ACT, or a 930 or higher on the SAT, with your application.   

Admission Decisions

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above when you apply to NC State, you will be required to indicate whether or not you plan to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration in the admission review process. You will not be disadvantaged if you indicate you do not want scores to be considered in your application review.

Test scores are not the only indication of your academic potential at NC State and we will consider many other factors in our review process including your grades and course curriculum, your interest in the program you are applying for, your background and opportunities, and your accomplishments and involvement outside the classroom.

Scholarship Consideration

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above and opt not to submit test scores on your admission application, it will not impact your consideration for a merit scholarship. The Park Scholarship and Goodnight Scholars Program also consider many factors in their review process and students who opt not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged.

University Honors Program Consideration

NC State offers the University Honors Program to enrich the educational experience of high-achieving students. You may indicate your interest in applying for the Honors Program when completing the Coalition on Scoir Application or the Common Application by submitting an additional essay of no more than 500 words. If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above and opt not to submit test scores on your admission application, it will not impact your consideration for the program.

Self-Reported Test Scores

Although test scores are not required for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above, if you think your scores enhance your overall academic performance and you opt to submit them, feel free to self-report them on your application to be considered in the admission review process. SAT Essay or ACT Writing scores are not required. We encourage you to submit all your scores and we will consider your highest sub-score from each section across your test dates to create a super-score.

If you have a weighted GPA below 2.8, you will be required to self-report a standardized test score with your application. Upon admission, you will need to provide an official score that matches that self-reported score after you confirm your enrollment to NC State. 

After you have applied, any additional test scores can be added on your wolfPAW account. We cannot guarantee scores received after the application materials deadline will be used in your admission decision. We will not accept standardized test scores listed on your high school transcript.

Highest Score Considered

Your highest composite score, or super-score, is the highest sub-score from each section across your submitted exam dates. If you submit both the SAT and ACT, we will only consider your highest composite score.

Verified Scores Required for Enrollment

We verify self-reported test scores for all applicants who enroll at NC State. If you indicate you plan to submit test scores on your application and self-report them, official SAT (Code # 5496) or ACT (Code # 3164) test scores must be submitted directly from the testing agency once you confirm your enrollment to NC State.

If you sent an official score previously but your self-reported score was your highest score and considered in your admission decision, you will need to provide an official score that matches that self-reported score after you confirm your enrollment to NC State. Log in to your wolfPAW account to see if verified test scores are required.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher, it’s your choice whether or not you want test scores to be considered. Read below for more information about our test score consideration policy.

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher, you will not be disadvantaged if you indicate you do not want scores to be considered in your application review. Applicants with a weighted GPA below 2.8 are required to submit test scores.

Test scores are not the only indication of your academic potential at NC State and we will consider many other factors in our review process including your grades and course curriculum, your interest in the program you are applying for, your background and opportunities, and your accomplishments and involvement outside the classroom.

Yes, not submitting test scores will not impact your ability to receive a merit scholarship.

We do not have a preference. We will only consider your highest composite score. We combine the highest sub-score from each section across your test dates to create a super-score to be considered in the review process.

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher and we have test scores on file for you, but you selected to be reviewed without test scores on your application, your scores will not be considered in the review process..

If you have a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher, no additional application materials are required if you opt not to submit your test scores. We consider many other factors in our review process including your grades and course curriculum, your interest in the program you are applying for, your background and opportunities, and your accomplishments and involvement outside the classroom.

After you apply and once you receive access to your wolfPAW account, your applicant portal, you will be able to update your preference for whether or not you would like test scores to be considered in your admission decision until the application materials deadline. You can also self-report your test scores on your wolfPAW account if you want additional scores to be considered. If your weighted GPA is below 2.8, you must submit test scores with your application.

Denied applicants – If you originally opted not to send your test scores and are denied, you may submit test scores for reconsideration. However, we consider many factors in our review process and it is unlikely test scores alone will change your admission decision.

Deferred applicants – If you apply early action and your initial decision is deferred for final review, please keep in mind this is not a final decision. You will have the opportunity to provide additional academic information, including test scores, if you previously opted for test scores to be considered in your application review. However, we consider many factors in our review process and it is unlikely test scores alone will change your admission decision.

Submitting SAT or ACT test scores is optional for international students. However, if international students choose to submit SAT or ACT test scores, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.

International students who live outside the U.S. or who have NOT attended a U.S. high school since grade 9 are required to submit one of the following scores for proof of English proficiency: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test or IELTS. The test scores must be sent directly from the test agency.