Hi all! I'm looking into applying to the University of Houston, but I'm not sure about their SAT and ACT requirements. What scores do I need to be competitive for admission? Should I focus on one test more than the other?
Hi there! The University of Houston is test-optional for Fall 2023 and beyond due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. This means that submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission, and you can choose whether or not to submit your test scores as part of your application. That being said, if you think your test scores accurately represent your abilities and can strengthen your application, you should consider submitting them.
If you decide to submit test scores, here are the average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students in previous years, just to give you an idea of what's competitive:
- For the SAT, the mid 50% range of admitted students scored between 1160 and 1320 in the recent past.
- For the ACT, the mid 50% range of admitted students scored between 23 and 28 in the recent past.
These ranges are a helpful ballpark to aim for, but keep in mind that the University of Houston will review your application holistically, taking into account factors like your high school GPA, extracurricular involvement, and essays.
Regarding which test to focus on, it's entirely up to you! Both SAT and ACT are accepted, and there isn't a preference for one over the other. Try taking practice tests for both and see which one suits you better or which one you perform better on. Focus on the test that you feel more comfortable with, and aim to achieve a score within or above the mentioned ranges to be more competitive.
Best of luck with your application to the University of Houston!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.