There is no single testing policy for U.S. university admission. Check every school on your shortlist for your entry term and applicant category. SAT and ACT rules also serve a different purpose from English proficiency requirements. A decision about one should not be used to answer the other.

Read the institution’s current policy

On the official pages checked on October 6, 2026, MIT requires the SAT or ACT for prospective first-year and transfer students. UCLA states that it does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. These are different policies, so a single rule for your entire shortlist will not work.

Recheck the pages before making your plan and again before submitting. Look for the intended admission cycle, degree level, and any exception that concerns you. If the wording is unclear, ask the admissions office rather than relying on an older blog post or a friend’s application experience.

Distinguish the common policy labels

A required policy means you should follow the school’s instructions for providing the specified exam results. A test-optional policy gives applicants a choice under the institution’s stated rules. A policy that does not consider scores for admission means those scores do not enter that admission assessment.

Read the full explanation, because a university may have separate uses for examinations, such as course placement or credit. UCLA’s page, for example, distinguishes its admission policy from possible eligibility or placement uses. Do not assume that every reference to a test has the same purpose.

Check English proficiency separately

Universities define who must demonstrate English proficiency, which exams they accept, and whether an exemption is available. UCLA’s international applicant page describes its language-of-instruction conditions and accepted English tests. MIT separately explains its recommendation for certain non-native English speakers.

Record the exact rule that applies to your education history. Do not assume that an SAT or ACT result removes an English test requirement. Also check the current score scale and exam version on the university’s page; historical score advice may no longer be directly comparable.

Plan reporting as carefully as preparation

  • Record accepted exams and the last eligible test date.
  • Check whether initial self-reporting is allowed or official reports are needed.
  • Confirm the institution’s instructions for repeated attempts and section scores.
  • Note how and when later scores can be updated.
  • Check any verification required after an admission offer.

Read reporting instructions before paying to send results. Keep actual test dates and results in your records, and distinguish them from practice scores. Follow the university’s directions rather than creating your own reporting format.

Make a school-by-school testing sheet

Create one row per university with separate columns for SAT or ACT, English proficiency, reporting, and timing. Add a link and the date checked to each entry. Resolve unclear requirements first, then choose an exam schedule that covers the schools you genuinely plan to apply to.