Does University of Tennessee Require SAT? Yes, SAT or ACT

Yes. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville requires an SAT or ACT score from every first-year applicant, so it is not test-optional. UT's test score policy page says: "All first-year undergraduate students are required to self-report their ACT or SAT scores as part of their application for admission by January 20, 2027." That is the rule for the 2026-27 admissions cycle, which covers students entering in fall 2027.

This page covers the policy and the dates. For how a specific score compares, see SAT and ACT scores for the University of Tennessee. Policy sources: UT's first-year test score policy and UT's dates and deadlines page (both checked October 1, 2026).

Is the University of Tennessee Test-Optional? No

The requirement is not a Knoxville-only choice. UT's policy page states that "The University of Tennessee System has decided that all campuses, including UT Knoxville, will now require standardized tests (ACT/SAT) for first-year applicants applying to attend UT." UT's first-year FAQ answers the same question with a plain yes: all applicants must provide standardized test scores on their application.

Three parts of the rule matter most:

• You self-report first. You enter your scores yourself, either in the GPA & Tests tab of your Go Vols Portal or on your Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) record. You do not need to pay for an official score report to apply.
• Tests through December 2026 count. UT says: "Only tests taken through December 2026 will be accepted for admission and institutional merit scholarship consideration."
• Official scores come later. The policy page says official scores must be sent from the testing agency and received by May 15, 2027. UT's first-year FAQ separately mentions July 1 for verified scores from admitted students who confirm enrollment, so plan around May 15, the earlier date and the one tied to merit scholarships.

A score is also part of what UT calls a completed application. Its deadlines page defines that as a submitted Common App or Go Vols application, self-reported high school grades (STARS), and self-reported standardized test scores. Without a score, your file is not complete and will not be reviewed. If you are comparing policies across your list, see which colleges require the SAT.

SAT or ACT: What UT Accepts and How It Superscores

UT accepts either test and has no stated preference. It superscores both. In UT's words: "UT uses the superscoring method, meaning we take your highest section scores of each test taken to determine your new composite score for application review."

• SAT. UT superscores using only the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math scores. It does not use the optional essay. SAT code: 1843.
• ACT. UT's page says the superscore is based on the highest score in "each of the four test areas" across your test dates. It does not use the optional writing test. ACT code: 4026.
• ACT Science is not required. The policy page says UT "does not require the ACT Science section for Fall 2027 admission or institutional merit scholarship consideration." If you submit a Science score and it raises your superscore, UT includes it. If it does not help, UT says there is no penalty.
• No mixing across tests. UT's guaranteed admission page says it does not combine superscore section scores across the ACT and SAT. The policy page says UT uses only the highest ACT or SAT superscore.
• Report every ACT date. UT strongly recommends self-reporting all ACT scores from every test date so it can build your best superscore.
• You can update scores. If you retest, send the new scores in the GPA & Tests tab of your Go Vols Portal and UT will recalculate your superscore.

One detail that surprises SAT takers: UT's policy page says all scores in its admission process are expressed as ACT scores or ACT equivalents, using concordance tables. An SAT is fully accepted. It is simply converted for review. New to superscoring? See how SAT superscoring works and how the ACT superscore is calculated.

UT Knoxville Deadlines for the 2026-27 Cycle

UT has two first-year rounds, and each has a submission deadline plus a later materials deadline. Self-reported test scores are part of the materials.

Other dates from the same UT pages: self-reported scores for merit scholarship consideration are due January 20, official scores must be received by May 15, and the enrollment confirmation deadline is May 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET. UT says applicants who meet the Early Action deadlines are considered for the most scholarship dollars. If the rounds are new to you, read Early Action vs. Early Decision.

Which Test Dates Still Work

Here is how the remaining 2026 test dates line up with UT's deadlines, using College Board's SAT dates and ACT's test dates.

Two things to notice. First, the November 7 SAT releases scores on November 20, which is after the November 15 Early Action materials deadline. If you are applying Early Action and have not taken a test yet, the October 17 ACT is the last date that reports in time, and its registration has closed. If you already have a score, you can self-report it by November 15 and then add a higher November or December score later through your portal.

Second, December is the last month UT accepts. The December 5 SAT and December 12 ACT both report before the January 20 self-report deadline. A test taken in 2027 will not count for fall 2027 admission or institutional merit scholarships.

How UT Uses Your Scores

At UT, a score does more than check a box.

• Admission review. UT describes its process as competitive but holistic, and lists ACT/SAT test scores among the factors it considers. The policy page says UT uses only your highest ACT or SAT superscore when making decisions.
• In-state guaranteed admission. Tennessee residents attending a Tennessee high school are guaranteed admission if they apply by the Early Action deadlines, score a 24+ ACT composite (SAT 1160+) with at least a 19 ACT Math (510 SAT Math) and a 19 ACT English (500 SAT Reading and Writing), and either earn a 4.0+ UT Core GPA or rank in the top 10% of their class. Scores must be self-reported or received by November 15. Admission to a specific major is not guaranteed. Details are on UT's guaranteed admission page.
• Merit scholarships. UT reviews students for institutional merit scholarships using the same highest superscore. UT's scholarship listings show the In-State Volunteer Scholarship at $3,000 to $9,000 per year and the Out-of-State Volunteer Scholarship at $3,000 to $18,000 per year.
• Specific colleges. UT's first-year application page says the Tickle College of Engineering looks for a math ACT of 25 or a math SAT of 590 along with a minimum Success Prediction Indicator of 60 (your ACT Math score plus 10 times your core GPA). Students who do not meet the test-score criteria are reviewed holistically. The College of Nursing also requires standardized test scores.
• Math placement. UT's Department of Mathematics uses your ACT Math or SAT Math score to set your placement level. For example, an ACT Math of 25 to 27, or an SAT Math of 590 to 650, places you at level 3.

What a Competitive Score Looks Like at UT

The most recent official numbers are in UT's Common Data Set 2025-26 (section C9), which reports scores for first-year students who enrolled in fall 2025.

UT is an ACT-heavy campus: 80% of those enrolled students submitted ACT scores and 25% submitted SAT scores. Because UT converts everything to ACT equivalents, neither test is at a disadvantage.

The same Common Data Set shows 53,841 first-year applicants and 23,464 admitted for fall 2025, about 44%. The split by residency is wide. UT admitted 8,725 of 11,980 in-state applicants (about 73%) and 14,526 of 41,408 out-of-state applicants (about 35%).

What that means for you: a 26 ACT or a 1300 SAT sits near the bottom of the enrolled middle range, and a 29 or 1330 is the midpoint. Out-of-state applicants face a tighter pool, so aiming for the middle of the range or higher is the safer plan. Tennessee residents should also look at the guaranteed admission line: a 24 ACT or 1160 SAT with the GPA or class rank condition.

What to Do Now

If you are a senior with a score, self-report it and apply by November 1 so you are in the Early Action pool for scholarships. If you want a higher score, register for the November 7 SAT by October 23 or the December 12 ACT by November 6. Because UT superscores, a retake can only help the number UT uses.

If you are a junior, plan to test in the spring so you have time for a second attempt before next fall's deadlines. For steady practice in between, Larry Learns has 25,000+ SAT and ACT practice questions on the web, iPhone, and Android, and the free plan includes 3 quizzes and 3 AI explanations a day.

Frequently Asked Questions About the University of Tennessee's SAT Policy

Does the University of Tennessee require the SAT for fall 2027?

It requires the SAT or the ACT. Every first-year applicant must self-report an ACT or SAT score by January 20, 2027, and UT accepts either test.

Is the University of Tennessee test-optional?

No. UT's policy page says the University of Tennessee System decided that all campuses, including UT Knoxville, require standardized tests for first-year applicants.

Does the University of Tennessee superscore the SAT and ACT?

Yes, both. UT takes your highest section scores across test dates to build a new composite. It does not combine sections across the SAT and ACT, and it uses whichever superscore is higher.

Can I self-report my scores to the University of Tennessee?

Yes. You self-report scores in your Go Vols Portal or on STARS when you apply. UT's test score policy says official scores from the testing agency must be received by May 15, 2027 (its FAQ also mentions July 1, so use the earlier date).

What is the last SAT or ACT date UT will accept?

UT accepts tests taken through December 2026. That makes the December 5, 2026 SAT and the December 12, 2026 ACT the last national test dates that count for fall 2027 admission and institutional merit scholarships.

Does the University of Tennessee require ACT Science or the essay?

No. UT does not require the ACT Science section for fall 2027 and does not use the optional SAT essay or ACT writing test. A Science score is included in your superscore only if it helps.

A required test is a chance to add points to both your admission file and your scholarship review. Start a free practice quiz now, or create a free account to track your progress.