How to use this page
- 1Pick a target country
- 2Pick your child's curriculum
- 3Read what each university states
See the routes per country in the pathway finder first, then check here what each university asks. Pathway finder
Diploma / curriculumAll curriculaIB DiplomaA LevelUS diploma (AP)Korean high school diplomaKorean diploma + 1 year of universityKorean university special admission
Amherst College
Amherst, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · Optional for domestic and international applicants; English proficiency results may be required; enrolling students must submit official scores. Page does not mention IB/A-level/AP.
“Standardized testing is optional for first-year and transfer applicants”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · SAT/ACT optional; English proficiency exam still required unless waived. Page lists no IB or A-level policy.
- English requirement
- Non-US citizens must submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo. Recommended minimums: IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130, TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0 new scale). Waived with SAT EBRW 650+ or ACT English 29+, or 3+ years at a US/majority-English-country high school.
“Boston College has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Boston University
Boston, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · GCE named as an example of an exam-based curriculum: predicted results must be submitted with senior-year grades.
- English requirement
- TOEFL iBT 90-100 most competitive (5.0+ on new scale from 21 Jan 2026), min 20 per section; IELTS Academic 7+; Duolingo 125-135. Not accepted: IELTS Indicator, TOEFL ITP Plus, TOEFL Essentials.
“Boston University is test optional for first-year applicants”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Final-year IB/A-level applicants are expected to submit predicted grades; graduates submit final results. English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge) optional, no minimum.
- Deadlines
- Early Decision 1 2026-11-15 · Early Decision 2 / Regular Decision 2027-01-05
“Bowdoin has no minimum IB or A-Level score to apply.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Applicants preparing for GCE A-Level exams should send expected exam results.
- English requirement
- IELTS Academic 7.5; TOEFL iBT 102 (taken before 21 Jan 2026) or 5 overall (on/after); TOEFL Essentials 11; Duolingo 135; Cambridge 191. Scores no more than two years old.
“Scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United StatesA Level
- English requirement
- Duolingo 115, IELTS 7, PTE Academic 61, TOEFL iBT 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026); waived with two years of English-medium schooling, SAT EBRW 630+ or ACT English 26+.
“students whose first language is not English must submit an English language exam score”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Columbia University
New York, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · Test-optional for 2026-27; required from 2027-28. A Level results needed to complete secondary school must be submitted.
“We will continue to be fully test-optional for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Cornell University
Ithaca, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · SAT or ACT required for first-year applicants; page does not mention IB, A-level or AP.
“First-year applicants are required to submit SAT or ACT scores when applying to Cornell.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · Final or predicted A-Level scores, predictions from a school official, at least three exams encouraged, can satisfy the requirement.
- English requirement
- English proficiency exam required if not first language and school curriculum not taught in English for at least two years.
“Standardized testing is a required element of Dartmouth's undergraduate application.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Georgetown University
Washington, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · International students must still submit SAT or ACT. English language testing recommended if the applicant did not attend an English-language high school. AP credit varies by exam and undergraduate school; page does not address IB or A-level credit.
“You must submit at least one full SAT or ACT.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · AS & A Level exams optional for admission; credit possible after enrolling with official results.
“All first-year applicants must submit at least one SAT or ACT score.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Harvard College
Cambridge, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · SAT or ACT required; GCSE/A-Level actual or predicted results accepted only in exceptional cases when SAT/ACT is inaccessible.
“Harvard requires the SAT or ACT to meet its standardized testing requirement.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · Applicants must submit exam results showing completion of secondary education (O- or A-level results).
“standardized testing is required to be considered for admission to Hopkins”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United StatesA Level
- AP / IB credit
- A-level A*/A: Mathematics = 18.01; Physics = 8.01; Geography = 3 elective units; HASS = 9 units per exam. No credit for Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science. Certificate scan to ap@mit.edu.
“A* or A earns 18.01.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Northeastern University
Boston, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · If A-Level results are proof of graduation, an original or certified copy is needed; final or predicted grades highly recommended.
- English requirement
- No minimums; middle 50% of admitted: IELTS 7.5-8.0, Duolingo 130-140, TOEFL iBT 102-110 (5.0-5.5 on new scale from 21 Jan 2026), PTE 79-86, C1/C2 195-202. Waiver possible e.g. IB English A 5+ or English B HL 6+, A-level English B+.
- AP / IB credit
- Up to 32 credits for qualifying exams incl. IB and A-Level.
“Northeastern University is test-optional”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Northwestern University
Evanston, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · A-levels not mentioned on the page; general policy is test-optional.
- English requirement
- Applicants whose first language is not English and whose courses were not taught in English must submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo English Test.
“test-optional and does not require ACT or SAT scores”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Penn State University
University Park, United StatesA Level
- English requirement
- Accepted proof includes GCSE/GCE English language grade A, B or C; Duolingo 120, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 80 (before 21 Jan 2026) or 4.5 (after).
“Applicants whose native language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Rice University
Houston, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional
- English requirement
- Non-native speakers: 2 years full-time English-language study OR TOEFL 100 (before 21 Jan 2026; 5.0 on new iBT scale after) / IELTS 7 / Cambridge C1-C2 185 / Duolingo 130.
- AP / IB credit
- Grade A or B on certain international exams incl. A-Levels may receive transfer credit.
“A-Levels are one of the listed exams”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Stanford University
Stanford, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · ACT or SAT required. British-system students need a school official to send GCSE results and predicted A-Level marks.
“ACT or SAT scores are required.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Texas A&M University
College Station, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional
- English requirement
- TOEFL iBT 80 (before 21 Jan 2026) or 4.5 overall with 4.0 per section (after); IELTS Academic 6.0; SAT EBRW 560; ACT English 21; tests dated within two years.
- Deadlines
- Fall freshman (College Station) 2026-12-01
“Texas A&M University is test optional”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Tufts University
Medford, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · SAT/ACT optional; credentials such as IB and GCE A-levels are evaluated within the context of the national academic system. No specific IB/A-level policy stated.
- English requirement
- Required unless 3+ years at an English-primary secondary school. Accepted TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo; recommended minimums: TOEFL iBT 100 (5.0+ for exams from 21 Jan 2026), IELTS 7, PTE 68, Duolingo 130. No superscoring.
“Tufts is test-optional.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Tulane University
New Orleans, United StatesA Level2027 intake
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional
- English requirement
- English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) required for non-native speakers.
- AP / IB credit
- AP, IB and A Level credit can satisfy requirements only in Formal Reasoning and Foreign Language; other credit counts as open electives. IB credit only for higher-level exams.
“The submission of SAT or ACT scores will remain optional for Fall 2027 first-year”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Florida
Gainesville, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · Per Florida BOG regulation 6.002. Non-US coursework requires unofficial transcripts (4 full years) and a course-by-course NACES credential evaluation with GPA calculation; non-English transcripts need certified translation. Page does not mention IB/A-level or English tests.
“all first-year students must submit an ACT, CLT or SAT test”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Page gives no specific IB or A-level requirements; links to separate IB and GCSE-GCE application help pages.
- English requirement
- English test required unless English was the language of instruction for Grades 10-12: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, ACT or SAT (cannot be waived). Scores within two years of entry term; TOEFL code 1836.
“cannot be waived”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-flexible · No SAT/ACT needed with weighted GPA 2.8+; below 2.8 requires ACT 17+/SAT 930+. For Cambridge-type systems, A-level or external exam grades are considered for the GPA check. Applicants must complete the pre-university curriculum (e.g. A Levels, Baccalaureate).
- English requirement
- Accepted: TOEFL (code C182), IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2. Typical strong-applicant scores (not minimums): TOEFL 100 (5+ on exams from 21 Jan 2026), IELTS Academic 7.5, Duolingo 130, Cambridge C1 185.
- Deadlines
- Early Action application 2026-10-15 · Early Action supporting materials 2026-11-07 · Regular Decision application 2027-01-15 · Regular Decision supporting materials 2027-02-15
“You must complete your country's pre-university curriculum before enrolling”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · Predicted CGE Advanced Levels (at least three subjects) can replace SAT/ACT for students educated outside the US. British-curriculum students submit GCSE/IGCSE results and predicted A-levels.
- English requirement
- Required if first language is not English: TOEFL iBT 100 (min Speaking 25) before Feb 2026 scoring / 5.5 avg updated scoring; IELTS 7.5; Duolingo 125. Waived with SAT EBRW 650+ or ACT English/Reading 26+.
- Deadlines
- Restrictive Early Action 2026-11-01 · Regular Decision 2027-01-04
“Predicted results from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Rochester
Rochester, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-flexible · AS and A-Level exams accepted in place of SAT/ACT (three to four preferred); UK GCE Advanced Level is on the country list of qualifying national exams. English testing (TOEFL or IELTS) still required for some international students.
“Applicants choosing not to submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United StatesA Level
- Published offer conditions
- I/GCSE results plus predicted A-Level results (and EPQs); competitive applicants typically predicted B or higher in at least three A-Level exams. No subject requirements for A-Level entry. Final A-Level results must be verified once released.
“Competitive applicants typically have predicted grades of B or higher”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Page does not mention IB or A-level policies or an SAT/ACT policy.
- English requirement
- TOEFL 79 (120 scale) / 4 (6-point scale), IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo 115. Exempt: sole-official-English countries (e.g. Australia, Canada excl. Quebec, India, Ireland, Nigeria, Singapore, UK) or 3+ years at a US/qualifying-country high school.
“cannot accept institutional TOEFL (ITP) scores”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Final A-Level results submitted after admission (instructions emailed in May). Students who took IGCSE/O-Levels before IB must submit an official results certificate.
- English requirement
- TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo required unless English was the primary language of instruction in all 4 years of secondary school. Minimums: DET 115, IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80 (test date on/before 20 Jan 2026); no superscoring; scores no older than two years.
“Competitive applicants will have completed at least three A-Level Examinations.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · Test-optional for fall 2027 and 2028 entry; ACT/SAT required from fall 2029. Covers first-year and international applicants. Page does not mention IB or A-level.
- English requirement
- International applicants must show English proficiency; waived with ACT English above 26 or SAT EBRW above 630.
“Vanderbilt University will continue its test-optional policy”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · English test (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) required if English is not the first language; waived if English was main language of instruction for 3+ years. Page does not mention IB/A-level.
- Deadlines
- Early Decision I 2026-11-15 · Early Decision II 2027-01-01 · Regular Decision 2027-01-01
“Wake Forest does not require applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Wellesley College
Wellesley, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · Applicants must submit certified copies of academic diplomas and government exam certificates (incl. GCSE/'A' level); exam certificates cannot replace tests. English tests optional (TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, Cambridge, InitialView, Vericant); no minimums.
- Deadlines
- Early Decision I 2026-11-01 · Early Decision II 2027-01-05 · Regular Decision 2027-01-08
“test optional for those applying for entry in fall 2027”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Williams College
Williamstown, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test-optional · International applicants follow the same procedures as US citizens; TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo results welcome but no single exam required to document English proficiency. Page does not mention IB/A-level.
“such examinations are not requirements for admission to Williams”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Yale University
New Haven, United StatesA Level
- Standardised tests
- Test required · ACT or SAT required; scores from other exams, including international leaving exams, will not satisfy the testing requirement.
“All first-year and transfer applicants must include scores from the ACT or SAT.”
Source · Checked 6 Nov 2026
Always confirm with the university's own admissions office. This page does not judge eligibility.
