TEST OPTIONAL FAQ

Applicants whose cumulative, weighted high school GPA is a 3.5 or higher will have the choice to select if they wish to have their ACT or SAT scores considered when we review their application for admission and university-administered scholarships.

LSU is seeking to admit students who are most likely to succeed at our flagship institution. Evidence-based research at LSU and across the country confirms that standardized test performance is one key predictor for a student’s academic success.

With an ACT or SAT score included, LSU’s holistic review process has the full context in which to evaluate a student’s college readiness and likelihood of academic success at the university.

Beyond the admissions decision, standardized test scores are important in determining appropriate course placement and identifying students who may benefit from academic support programs or intervention—both of which directly impact positive first-year retention outcomes and persistence to graduation.

A student’s standardized test score is only one of several factors in an application evaluation.  

LSU considers many aspects of a student’s academic performance including high school grades, rigor of curriculum, grade trends, grades in courses related to your intended major.

If you choose not to submit test scores, you will not be evaluated negatively.

There is a question on the Common Application for you to select this option.

If your cumulative, weighted high school GPA is lower than a 3.5, you are required to include your ACT or SAT scores for admission and merit-based scholarship.

If your cumulative, weighted high school GPA is lower than a 3.5, you are required to include your ACT or SAT scores for admission and merit-based scholarship.

If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, you should consider the following when determining whether or not to include your test scores:

LSU’s 2026 admitted class had an average weighted GPA of 3.9, with an average test score of 27 (ACT) / 1250 (SAT). If a student’s super score falls at or above these averages, it is generally considered that their test score could strengthen their application.

If a student’s GPA is at or above the LSU average, but test scores are not, it is recommended do not include their test scores as part of their application.

We will not consider these scores during evaluation for admission or merit-based scholarships.

Scholarships will continue to be reviewed in a holistic way, similar to the admissions evaluation. If a student chooses not to submit a test score as a part of this process, their application will still be reviewed for university-administered scholarships. Generally, students who fall in the top half of LSU’s applicant pool have historically qualified for scholarships.  

Similar to admission, we consider a student’s academic performance, rigor, grade trends. If test scores are included with the application, they will also be considered.

Students applying for the LSU Ogden Honors College who elect to be test optional will be considered for admission and scholarships, including Stamps.

TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) is a state scholarship program for Louisiana residents. It is administered by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), a program of the Board of Regents, and is separate from LSU.

According to LOSFA, test scores are required to be reported to LOSFA for TOPS scholarship funding.

A student’s decision to be test optional at LSU does not remove their test scores from TOPS consideration, nor does it impact their ability to receive TOPS.

LSU will not require any matriculating student who did not take the SAT or ACT to take the test before enrolling, if they met the high school GPA requirement. However, all entering students who have scores will be asked to submit them prior to enrolling at LSU for their first year. This will not impact your admission status.

Beyond the admissions decision, standardized test scores are important in determining appropriate course placement and identifying students who may benefit from academic support programs or intervention—both of which directly impact positive first-year retention outcomes and persistence to graduation.

LSU offers many options to submit scores. You may self-report in your admissions portal through the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) or on your admissions application via the Common Application. You may also have them reported officially from the SAT or ACT testing agency. All self-reported scores are required to be verified before enrollment.

You can also choose to email an official score report or a screenshot of your ACT or SAT online portal to your LSU Admissions Counselor or admissions@lsu.edu. The student’s full name, test date, and all scores from that test date must be visible.

Yes, LSU does still require an English proficiency score. LSU is currently considering a Duolingo score as an option for students to submit.

For English placement, there are various ways to exempt English composition courses based upon incoming students’ ACT, SAT, CLEP, AP, or internal Directed-Self Placement scores as outlined in the Undergraduate Admissions section of the LSU General Catalog.

Students who are test optional and come to LSU without any scores or prior credit from Dual Enrollment or other institutions are placed in English 1001 and will be required to take the Next Generation Writing Accuplacer diagnostic exam through the LSU Testing Center when instructed to determine if they can benefit from extra support.

For Math placement, students will be placed in the appropriate Math course based upon their ACT or SAT Math score. If a score is not available, students will take the ALEKS exam for appropriate course placement.