Is USC Test Optional? 2027–28 SAT & ACT Policy

Is USC Test Optional for 2027–28?

Policy and data checked: October 16, 2026.

Yes. USC’s 2027–28 first-year admissions guidance confirms that SAT and ACT scores are optional. The latest 2026–27 First-Year Student Profile describes the Class of 2030, which entered in fall 2026: 79,331 applicants, 10,006 admits and a 12.6% admission rate. The application policy and entering-class statistics refer to different academic years.

USC’s Test Optional FAQ says applicants decide whether their scores will be considered, and applicants who do not submit them will not be penalized. Submitted scores are one part of a holistic review. A family’s decision should consider the student’s full academic record and whether a score adds useful context. International applicants should check separate English-proficiency requirements.

USC vs. UCLA: Do SAT or ACT Scores Count?

USC is test-optional: it considers scores when an applicant chooses to submit them. UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships. UCLA says scores may have other uses, such as fulfilling certain eligibility requirements or course placement after enrollment. Prepare a testing plan for the colleges on your full list, rather than assuming USC and UCLA share the same policy.

USC SAT and ACT Scores: Latest Official Ranges

USC reports different SAT ranges for applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students. For fall 2026 enrollees, the SAT middle 50% was 1470–1540 and the ACT middle 50% was 32–35; 48% submitted SAT or ACT scores. A range describes the students who submitted scores; it is not a required cutoff. Should You Submit Your SAT Score to USC? explains how to weigh a score alongside grades, course rigor, and the rest of the application.

Source: USC 2026–27 First-Year Student Profile, fall 2026 entering class. Ranges are superscored. Percentages show the share submitting SAT or ACT scores. These ranges are not admission requirements or guaranteed outcomes.

USC Programs and SAT Context

USC admits students to different schools and programs, but it does not publish school-specific SAT score ranges. The estimates below are planning context only, not official cutoffs or guarantees. Use USC’s university-wide profile as the verified benchmark.

These program-level figures are coaching estimates, not USC-published ranges. They should not be used as admission predictions or automatic submit/withhold rules.

What It Takes to Build a More Competitive SAT Score

Gangnam Prep offers SAT Reading and Writing tutoring online for students preparing for selective colleges. Explore our student results and SAT and ACT programs, then ask about a plan based on your student’s starting point and test date.

Students can plateau for different reasons, including content gaps, pacing, question-selection habits, and inconsistent review. A diagnostic should identify the student’s actual error patterns before setting a preparation plan.

The Digital SAT is an argument comprehension test, not a reading fluency test. Short passages of 50–150 words are paired with questions whose wrong answers are deliberately engineered to sound reasonable. Students who approach these questions by reading a passage and scanning choices until something feels right pick those engineered wrong answers at a consistent rate — and plateau below 1350 regardless of how much they study.

The Logic-First Framework is designed to reduce unsupported guessing. The process uses four steps: read the question stem precisely; locate the relevant passage section using structural signals; form an answer before reviewing the choices; then match that answer against the options. Results vary by student, starting point, and practice consistency.

Score Plateau Diagnosis for SGV Students

Frequently Asked Questions — USC SAT and ACT Policy

Is USC test optional or test blind for 2027–28?

USC is test-optional for first-year applicants for the 2027–28 academic year. Students choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. USC says applicants without scores are not disadvantaged in admission or scholarship selection.

What SAT or ACT score do you need for USC?

USC does not publish a universal score cutoff. In its 2026–27 profile, fall 2026 enrollees who submitted scores had a middle 50% of 1470–1540 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT. These ranges describe past students, not admission requirements.

What is USC’s acceptance rate for the Class of 2030?

USC’s 2026–27 First-Year Student Profile reports 79,331 applicants and 10,006 admits, a 12.6% admission rate for the Class of 2030 entering in fall 2026.

Does UCLA consider SAT or ACT scores?

UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships. Scores may be used for other purposes, including certain eligibility requirements or course placement after enrollment.

Should I submit my SAT score to USC if it is below 1440?

There is no universal answer based on one cutoff. Compare the score with USC’s current profile, then consider grades, course rigor, circumstances, and whether the score adds useful information to the application.

How long does it take to improve a score to USC’s competitive range?

Improvement timelines vary by starting score, target, test date, and practice consistency. A diagnostic review can identify the highest-priority gaps, but no specific score gain or timeline can be guaranteed.