SAT, ACT Waived At 20+ GA Colleges and Universities Next Year

GEORGIA — Two college admission tests are being waived across 23 of 26 public universities and colleges in Georgia, according to the University System of Georgia.

Fox 5 Atlanta reported regents voted Wednesday to not mandate the SAT/ACT when applying to most colleges through the 2024-25 school year, excluding the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. Georgia College and State University will have a testing requirement in a study to see how the exam requirements impact applications.

University System of Georgia officials told regents requiring the two standardized tests could attract less students, the outlet reported.

The move is a continuation of the 2023-24 school year when SAT/ACT test scores were temporarily waived and test optional admission was implemented.

In a news release, USG officials said 23 of its institutions statewide will practice test optional admission. Students attending a Georgia college or university during the 2024-25 school year will have two choices for admission.

The first being the freshman index, which includes the high school grade point average and test scores from either the SAT or ACT.

The test optional alternative allows institutions to use high school GPAs on required high school curriculum without a standardized test score.

USG officials said test optional admission will now be extended to dual-enrollment students, starting for the fall 2023 term and extending through the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.

Each participating school and their minimum GPA requirements are listed below:

• 3.4 for research universities: Augusta University and Georgia State University
• 3.2 for comprehensive universities: Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University
• 3.0 for state universities: Albany State University, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Middle Georgia State University, Savannah State University and the University of North Georgia.

GPA requirements were not listed for the following state colleges, but they are test optional, per USG officials:

• Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
• Atlanta Metropolitan State College
• College of Coastal Georgia
• Dalton State College
• East Georgia State College
• Georgia Gwinnett College
• Georgia Highlands College
• Gordon State College
• South Georgia State College

Test scores will continue to be required to apply for Zell Miller scholarships in accordance with state requirements, officials said.