Can I submit my SAT Subject Test scores without my SAT scores?

Applying to College
1

Hi,

So I plan on taking the Math II Subject Test as well as the Physics Subject Test being as I plan on majoring in engineering. The problem is that I prefer the ACT over the SAT and would rather not submit my SAT scores. Would my subject test scores still be valid if I don’t submit my SAT scores? Would colleges care if I submit only my ACT scores and my subject test scores? Thanks.

2

That’s fine, as long as you’re not applying to schools which do not allow score choice and require all testing history (e.g. Cornell). There you’d need to send SATs as well, if you took them.

3

@usualhopeful - wait, are you saying that all scores (even subject tests you don’t want to submit) have to be sent? I thought sending all SATs was if you were submitting SAT scores not applicable for the subject tests. Those may be optional at some schools or you may only need 2 depending on the school. Don’t you have a choice to select the ones you want to send?

4

@momoftres a few schools, including Georgetown, Penn, and Cornell, require that you submit your entire testing history. Most, however, allow you to choose.

5

Although most colleges offer score choice nowadays, there are still some colleges (who I truthfully think are being ridiculously unfair) who will require you to send every test you have ever taken. It’s annoying, but how much it affects you depends on your testing history.

6

Cornell actually allows you to submit either all SATs or all ACTs now and you need submit subject tests only if the particular college within Cornell that you are applying to requires them (engineering does), see https://admissions.cornell.edu/standardized-testing-requirements; that is a change from two years ago when it required all of both SAT and ACT. However, Georgetown requires all scores of all kinds, SAT, ACT, and subject tests. Stanford, Penn, and Barnard require both all SATs and all ACTs, but you can submit any subject test scores you want to submit. There are no other colleges that currently require you to submit SATs if you instead decide to submit ACTs (and subject tests if required). There are some others like Cornell that require you submit all scores of either the SAT or ACT, depending on which one you choose to submit