Test-Optional Admission Policy

Queens is proud to give prospective students the choice about whether or not to submit their standardized test score. Queens is permanently an SAT and ACT test-optional university. The decision to become a test optional institution puts Queens in the company of more than 1,000 accredited, and many elite universities that do not require standardized testing for admission. At Queens, we take a holistic approach to admission. We look at your classroom performance, rigor of coursework, writing ability, extra-curricular involvement and recognition, and teacher/counselor recommendations to give us a total picture of who you are as a student.

For many students, standardized test scores add to this holistic picture. We encourage you to submit your SAT or ACT score. Most applicants do. While your performance in high school is a great way to assess your readiness for college, every school is different. Standardized tests are one of the ways to demonstrate your academic ability.

However, if you feel your test scores are not a reflection of your academic ability, you do not need to submit them to Queens. You won’t be penalized. When you start your application, simply select no when asked if you plan to submit standardized test scores under “testing plan.” Please contact your admissions counselor directly or via admissions@queens.edu if you have any questions.

Here are a few other noteworthy points:

1. If you are a recruited athlete, test scores are still required to determine your eligibility with the NCAA. You may still apply to Queens without submitting your test scores and receive an admission decision. However, you will later need to submit your scores to determine your NCAA eligibility.
2. If you are an entering freshman applying for direct admission to the upper division nursing program, test scores are still required to determine your eligibility. You may still apply to Queens via the test optional policy for general admission. However, test scores will be required at a later date to determine whether you can be directly admitted to the nursing program.
3. International students must meet English proficiency requirements. If you are a native English-speaker, or you are transferring 24+ college credits from a U.S. institution, completed a year at a U.S. high school in non-ESL classes, or you have completed level 112 at an ELS Language Center, you may apply to Queens via the test optional admission plan. If not, you must submit official TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT results for the sole purpose of determining English proficiency.
4. Once you enroll at Queens, you will be asked to submit standardized test scores if you have taken them. This is for research and reporting purposes only. It will not change your admission decision.