The University of Texas at Austin will once again require standardized test results for undergraduate admissions after four years of offering test-optional admissions.
Applications for the Fall 2025 semester will be accepted first. Due to the restricted availability of testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University suspended the requirement for standardized scores in the spring of 2020.
“Our goals are to attract the best and brightest students and to make sure every student is successful once they are here. Standardized scores combined with high school GPA support this goal by improving early identification of students who demonstrated the greatest academic achievement, the most potential, and those who can most benefit from support through our student success programs,” said President Jay Hartzell.
Read: Florida AG Moody Sues Cancer Charity That Failed To Use Funds For Cancer Patients
About 73,000 applications, an all-time high, were submitted to the university last year. Data from the College Board, the organization that administers the SAT, indicates that at least 90% of these applicants took a standardized test.
An examination of the University’s own data also showed that, on average, students who turned in their standardized test results did considerably better on those tests and in their first semester of college than those who either did not take the test or opted not to have their results taken into account for a comprehensive review.
- 42% of the nearly 73,000 freshman applications for Fall 2024 asked to have their standardized scores considered in a holistic review (to “opt in”), while 49% of students applying under the state’s auto-admit rule (in the top 6% of their high school class) made that request.
- Those who opted in had a median SAT score of 1420, compared with a median of 1160 among those who did not.
- The higher standardized scores translated on average to better collegiate academic performance. Of 9,217 first-year students enrolled in 2023, those who opted in had an estimated average GPA of 0.86 grade points higher during their first fall semester, controlling for a wide range of factors, including high school class rank and GPA. Those same students were estimated to be 55% less likely to have a first semester college GPA of less than 2.0, all else equal.
Read: Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst To Challenge Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton For GOP Conference Chair
“Our experience during the test-optional period reinforced that standardized testing is a valuable tool for deciding who is admitted and making sure those students are placed in majors that are the best fit. Also, with an abundance of high school GPAs surrounding 4.0, especially among our auto-admits, an SAT or ACT score is a proven differentiator that is in each student’s and the University’s best interest,” said Hartzell.
In addition to reinstating standardized scores, the University is making further modifications to the application process to strengthen holistic review and craft a stronger, more successful class. These modifications will also improve the application experience for prospective students.
- Introduction of a new Early Action program. This optional deadline will require application submission by Oct. 15, with a guaranteed decision communicated to applicants by Jan. 15. The regular deadline for applications will remain Dec. 1, with a guaranteed decision communicated by Feb. 15.
- Modification of the required essay. This will provide greater flexibility in topic choice and enable students to leverage responses used on other applications, while expanding opportunity for a more personalized response.
- Reduction in the number of short answer responses. This reduction from three responses to two will maintain the currently used major-related question, while creating a new prompt that allows students to highlight a specific activity of their choice.
- Introduction of a waitlist. Applies to students who are not automatically admitted. Most students will be notified as early as March 1 if they are admitted from the waitlist.
- Narrowed scope for letters of recommendation. Applicants submitting letters of recommendation will be strongly encouraged to provide those letters from sources outside of their high school. This reduces the burden of this work on high school teachers and counselors and allows University staff to better leverage other materials.
The University will begin requiring standardized test scores and implement other related changes during the Aug. 1–Dec. 1, 2024, application period.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.