In most of the colleges and universities in the United Kingdom, the scores from the SAT, ACT or Advanced Placement Exams are not required as a part of the admission process for an undergraduate degree. These standardised tests are generally associated with US Undergraduate Admissions. However, they can also be added to a student’s UCAS form to strengthen the application. 

UniRely’s team of expert mentors and counselors suggest students take these tests if they have time to improve their chances of acceptance at top universities like Oxford and Cambridge. If you plan on taking these tests, then here is everything that you need to know about these standardized tests.

The ACT 

The ACT has five sections:

1. English
2. Mathematics
3. Reading
4. Science
5. Writing

Each section is graded out of 36 points and the composite score is calculated by adding each individual section score and then taking an average. The Writing Section is optional and is graded out of 12 points. Since this test is not compulsory for students applying to the UK, we recommend that students only with a score of 32 or above should add it to their UCAS form. 

SAT

The SAT has three main sections:

1. Evidence-Based Reading & Writing,
2. Mathematics and
3. The Essay

The Reading and Writing sections together hold 800 points and the Math Section holds another 800 points, making a total of 1600 points. The essay section in the SAT is also optional. It is graded independently on a scale of 2 to 8 in each domain. 

Similar to the ACT, this test is not compulsory for UK applicants and hence we only recommend students who have scored 1420 or above to add this to their UCAS form. 

SAT Subject tests

SAT Subject Tests are multiple-choice standardized tests offered by the College Board on individual subjects. These tests are offered in 20 different subjects across 5 disciplines. Each test is scored out of 800 points and the duration of each is 1 hour long.

SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission in universities in the UK, however, it helps demonstrate your skill and interest in a particular subject, and may help you with college-level courses. We suggest you only submit your SAT Subject test scores if you have done exceptionally well. 

Advanced Placement Exams

Advanced Placement Exams are extensive exams offered by the college board in over 30 subjects across 7 disciplines. They are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 and they take place only once a year in May. Taking AP Exams can help students stand out in the college admissions process, earn college credit, and build skills that are essential for success in college. Credit policies differ by college, so students should understand the policies of the colleges they are interested in. The AP Exam scores can be submitted to each university through the UCAS.