Test Scores Waived For Certain Georgia College Students

The University System of Georgia (USG) is waiving SAT and ACT scores for high school students who have a GPA of 3.2 or applying to Georgia State Colleges in 2023-2024 school year.

Waiving test scores will impact current high school seniors applying to colleges across the state positively over the next academic year. It will help students who are poor test takers, students who cannot afford the test and generally give students one less task to worry about when it comes to applying to college.

“The new test-optional decision was made in light of policy changes from the University System of Georgia,” said Emily Wurst, Associate Director of Admissions at The University of West Georgia. “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to standardized testing and test prep resources has become a larger barrier for students to complete enrollment applications. By waiving the test scores for this population, we are making it that much easier for these high-achieving students to apply to UWG and become Wolves!”

To be approved for test-optional admission, an incoming college student must submit their application and high school transcript. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will evaluate the student’s transcript to determine their academic GPA. If their GPA is above 3.2 and the student meets all other requirements, the student may be admitted and will not need to submit test scores. If their GPA is below 3.2, then the student will need to send scores from either the SAT or ACT.

“There are no additional steps or process changes for the student,” said Wurst. “These students will just need to submit the undergraduate admissions application and submit their high school transcript. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions will then evaluate the student’s transcript to determine their academic GPA and test-optional eligibility.”

The 3.2 GPA was ultimately settled on due to an average of test scores the University System of Georgia collected from across the state of Georgia officials. Currently the optional test scores are only for students enrolling for the 2023-2024 school year. An extension can be made by the representatives from the USG if the process deems to be a success. 

“By waiving the SAT/ACT test score requirement, UWG is creating pathways to education for bright students who show potential for success at our university,” said Wurst. “We believe that removing this barrier will allow more students to enroll and earn a UWG education. This will allow the university not only to admit a larger number of students; it will also allow us to benefit from the talents, skills, and research that these students will contribute to their academic fields at UWG.”