IU Bloomington has a test-optional admissions policy, which allows students to choose at the point of application whether to have SAT and/or ACT test scores considered as part of their application review. Please see below for additional information and FAQs.
About test-optional admissions
The goal of test-optional admissions is to provide students who do not feel that their standardized test scores accurately reflect their academic potential the opportunity to choose to not have those test scores considered as part of the admissions review.
Research indicates that for many students, high school GPA paired with test scores provides the best prediction of academic success at Indiana University. However, for some students, a standardized test score may not be as predictive of their success or tell the full story of their potential.
SAT and/or ACT scores are not required for transfer students. However, transfer applicants may submit test scores if they would like to have them considered as a part of their admissions review.
You will be given full admission consideration in the absence of test scores. We will continue to look at all factors of your application, with the greatest emphasis placed on your grades earned in academic coursework; as well as performance in honors, dual-credit, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement courses; your essay; extracurricular activities; and other achievements.
If you are a freshman applicant, you can decide whether to have your test scores considered as part of your admission review. See the timeline for admission below and learn more on our deadlines page.
| Submit a complete application by: | Receive a response no later than: |
|---|---|
| November 1 | January 15 |
| February 1 | March 15 |
| After February 1 | Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed on a space-available, case-by-case basis |
If you are a transfer applicant, SAT and/or ACT scores are not required. However, transfer applicants may submit test scores if they would like to have them considered as a part of their admissions review. See the timeline for admission below and learn more on our deadlines page.
| Submit a complete application for: | Receive a response: |
|---|---|
| Fall semester by June 1, spring semester by November 1, or summer session by March 1 | 4–8 weeks after submission |
We evaluate each application holistically and individually and do not have a formula for whether or not you should choose to have your test scores considered.
The following table provides a summary of the high school records and test scores of students admitted for the fall 2023 cohort. See where your test score and GPA may fall in order to help you decide whether or not to apply test-optional. These ranges represent the middle 50 percent of admitted students meaning that 25 percent of admitted students had scores below this range and 25 percent of admitted students had scores above this range. For all applicants, the greatest emphasis will be placed on their performance in academic coursework, along with the other factors referenced in Question 2 above.
| Admissions criterion | Range | Average/Median |
|---|---|---|
| GPA | 3.72–4.00 | 3.97 |
| SAT scores (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) | 1210–1420 | 1310 |
| ACT scores (Composite) | 28–33 | 30 |
Please note: Only update your test-optional selection if you have already submitted your application and need to change your selection regarding whether or not you want to have your test scores considered as a part of your admission review. If you don't want to change the selection you made on your application, do not complete this form. If you use this form to update your selection to have your test scores considered and have not submitted test scores, you will also need to self-report or send your official scores.
Yes, you can change your test-optional selection after you apply. To do so, please complete the following form.
Update your test-optional selection
Please note: We offer applicants the opportunity to update or change their test-optional selection. However, you should only update your test-optional selection if you have already submitted your application and need to change your selection regarding whether or not you want to have your test scores considered as a part of your admission review. If you don't want to change the selection you made on your application, do not complete the change your selection form. If you use this form to update your selection to have your test scores considered and have not submitted test scores, you will also need to self-report or send your official scores.
If you are offered admission and have self-reported test scores in your application, you must have your official test scores sent from the testing agencies before you can enroll at IU. Your offer of admission and any awarded scholarships that referenced your self-reported scores are contingent on us receiving your official test scores. Additionally, the scores we receive from the official testing agencies must match or be higher than the scores you self-reported during the application process.
Please note: Self-reporting your scores will not change your selection regarding whether or not you want to have your test scores considered as a part of your admission review. If you originally applied without test scores and would now like to have them considered, you will need to change your preference using the instructions under "Change your test-optional selection."
Currently, all undergraduate students applying for the 2024-25 academic year are eligible to apply test-optional.
For future terms, some students may be required to provide SAT and/or ACT scores. Homeschooled students, students who have attended a school with non-traditional evaluation methods where traditional alpha or numerical grades are not assigned, and student-athletes subject to NCAA eligibility standards may be required to submit a standardized test score.
International students also have separate requirements for English language proficiency. Visit the Office of International Services website to learn more.
When you complete your application for admission, you will have the opportunity to select whether or not your test scores will be considered as a part of your admission review.
Please note: We offer applicants the opportunity to change their test-optional selection after they apply. If you have submitted your application and would like to change your test-optional selection, complete the form below. If you don't want to change the selection you made on your application, do not complete the form. If you use this form to update your selection to have your test scores considered, you will also need to self-report or send your official scores.
If you indicate on your application that you do not want your test scores considered on your application, your test scores will not be included as part of your admission review even if we receive scores from a testing agency or on your high school transcript.
Yes. IU Bloomington is committed to making scholarship opportunities available to students who qualify, whether they apply with or without test scores. Visit our Scholarships Test-Optional FAQ to learn more about the scholarship processes for students who choose not to have their test scores considered.
Yes. Each academic school/college offering direct admission for new students will consider test-optional students.
Since each school/college has different direct admission requirements, we encourage you to carefully review each of the academic unit's websites for more details.
- College of Arts + Sciences
- Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design
- Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies
- Jacobs School of Music (Direct admission for the Jacobs School of Music is based upon a successful audition and/or interview.)
- Kelley School of Business
- Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- The Media School
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- School of Education
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Health-Bloomington
- School of Social Work
We invite you to reach out to your personal admission counselor, to contact the Office of Admissions at 812-855-0661 or admissions@indiana.edu with any questions regarding the application process.