Each educational institution has specific criteria for standardized testing. The majority of schools mandate the submission of either the SAT or ACT, with additional requirements for SAT subject tests in many cases.
In order to apply to the University of Tennessee, you must take either the SAT or ACT. It is essential to perform well on these tests to strengthen your application.
SAT Requirements for the University of Tennessee
While many schools claim to have no SAT score cutoff, the reality is that there is an underlying SAT requirement based on the school’s average score.
The average SAT score at the University of Tennessee is 1240 on the 1600-point SAT scale.
This score places the University of Tennessee in the Competitive range for SAT test scores.
SAT Score Analysis for the University of Tennessee (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile SAT score is 1140, while the 75th percentile SAT score is 1310. In other words, scoring below 1140 places you below average, while scoring 1310 and above moves you into above-average territory.
Here is the breakdown of SAT scores by section:
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| Reading + Writing | 620 | 580 | 660 |
| Composite | 1240 | 1140 | 1310 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at the University of Tennessee is “Highest Section.”
This policy, also known as “superscoring,” enables you to selectively send your highest section scores across all SAT test dates to the school. Your application will be evaluated based on these scores rather than all the scores you have received.
If your SAT superscore is currently below 1140, we strongly recommend that you consider preparing for and retaking the SAT. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of admission.
Furthermore, you can focus your efforts on improving individual sections of the SAT by utilizing the Superscore. For example, if your Reading score is lower than your scores in other sections, you can concentrate on preparing for the Reading section and retake the SAT, thereby maximizing your Superscore.
ACT Requirements for the University of Tennessee
Similar to the SAT, the University of Tennessee does not have a strict ACT score cutoff, but scoring too low may negatively impact your application.
The average ACT score at the University of Tennessee is 27, placing it in the Moderately Competitive range for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, while the 75th percentile ACT score is 30.
Although the University of Tennessee may not explicitly state a minimum ACT requirement, applicants with an ACT score of 24 or below may face greater challenges in gaining admission unless they have other notable achievements or qualifications.
ACT Score Sending Policy
When sending ACT scores to colleges, you have full control over which tests to send. You can take multiple ACT tests and choose to send only your highest score to each school. This differs from the SAT, where many schools require the submission of all test scores.
This means that you have more opportunities than you may realize to improve your ACT score. To meet the University of Tennessee’s ACT requirement of 24 and above, it is advisable to take the ACT multiple times. Once you achieve a satisfactory final score, you can then submit only that score to all your prospective schools.
ACT Superscore Policy
Most colleges do not superscore the ACT, meaning they consider the highest score from a single test sitting. However, our research indicates that the University of Tennessee does offer an ACT superscore policy. According to the university’s Admissions Office:
“We use the superscoring method of combining test scores into a new composite score.”
Superscoring is a valuable strategy to consider, as it allows your highest section scores across all ACT test dates to be taken into account during the evaluation of your application.
If your ACT score is currently below 24, we strongly recommend that you consider preparing for and retaking the ACT. By doing so, you significantly enhance your chances of admission.
Similar to the SAT, you can focus your efforts on improving individual sections by utilizing the Superscore. Focus on one section at a time, such as Reading, then take the ACT. Repeat this process for Math and other sections to maximize your Superscore.
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT offer an optional essay section.
The University of Tennessee considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it in the admissions consideration. While you need not be overly concerned about the Writing section for this university, other schools to which you are applying might require it.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
SAT subject test requirements vary among schools. Selective institutions often require these tests, while they are typically not required by the majority of schools.
We have not found any information indicating that the University of Tennessee requires SAT subject tests, so it is likely that they do not. However, we recommend verifying this information at least six months before applying to ensure that you have ample time to complete any necessary tests.
