Special admissions update

Ohio State ACT/SAT test requirement update

Like most universities, Ohio State adopted a test-optional pilot in 2020 due to disruptions caused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After careful consideration, Ohio State has decided to reinstate the ACT/SAT test requirement for new first-year undergraduate applicants to the Columbus campus in the 2026 admissions cycle and beyond.

A review of the data from our test-optional pilot revealed that test scores are one of the important indicators of academic success at our university. Ohio State students who submit test scores have higher GPAs and are more likely to progress through the university.

The university will continue to review each applicant holistically, just as it always has. When used as part of a holistic review process, the ACT/SAT score complements other measures to create a fuller picture of future academic success at Ohio State.

Recognizing that students approach testing differently, we will now practice superscoring — like many peer institutions — where we will combine students’ highest section scores from multiple test attempts to create the best overall score. This approach allows students to showcase their best performance, easing the pressure of achieving a high score in a single test sitting.

We are committed to the success of our students, and that begins from the moment they are admitted to Ohio State.

Thank you for being a valued partner and for all you do to ensure student success.