Standardized Test Requirements & Policies
We’ve outlined our standardized test requirements, as well as our policies regarding placement or credit for college-level work below.
- SAT Reasoning Test, ACT with Writing, SAT Subject Tests
- TOEFL/IELTS
- AP/IB Tests
- College courses in high school
- Cambridge General Certificate of Education
SAT Reasoning Test, ACT with Writing, SAT Subject Tests
Carnegie Mellon requires either the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with Writing from every applicant. We also require Subject Tests from most applicants (taken junior or senior year)—please see our Subject Test requirements by college/school. Please plan on taking these tests no later than December of your senior year.
CIT: Carnegie Institute of Technology
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics or Chemistry
CFA: College of Fine Arts
School of Architecture
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics or Chemistry
School of Art, School of Design, School of Drama, School of Music
No subject tests are required
DC: Dietrich College of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
One additional test*
IS: Information Systems
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
One additional test*
MCS: Mellon College of Science
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics, Chemistry or Biology
SCS: School of Computer Science
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Physics, Chemistry or Biology
Tepper School of Business
Two SAT Subject Tests:
Math Level I or II
Any second test but preferably a science*
*If your native language is not English, a Subject Test in your native language (like Korean or French Language) does not meet our requirements.
TOEFL/IELTS
We require the TOEFL or IELTS from all non-English speakers. We require a TOEFL score of 102 or better or an IELTS score of 7.5 and above. Please plan on taking the TOEFL or IELTS no later than December of your senior year.
Make sure that the name you use for test registration is identical to your name listed on your passport and in your admissions application.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Carnegie Mellon may grant advanced placement and credit for scores of four and five on exams taken in the CEEB Advanced Placement program. Send your AP scores to the Office of Admission in early summer and the appropriate academic dean will evaluate your scores and let you know if AP credit was awarded. View the AP and IB exams with the corresponding scores and credit usually awarded.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Carnegie Mellon also recognizes the International Baccalaureate Examinations. We may grant advanced standing and/or credit in various fields for scores of six or seven on the higher level exams. Send the results of the IB exams to the Office of Admission in early summer and the appropriate academic dean will evaluate your scores and let you know if credit was awarded. View the AP and IB exams with the corresponding scores and credit usually awarded.
College courses in high school
We may grant placement or credit for college work you’ve completed in high school. Have your college transcript(s) sent to the Office of Admission for transfer credit and advanced placement evaluation. Please also send course descriptions for each course we’re to evaluate.
As a safeguard for engineering and science students for whom calculus credit is granted, who may feel uncomfortable with the material, you may move into a lower level course in the sequence and we’ll adjust your credit.
Cambridge General Certificate of Education
Carnegie Mellon recognizes the Cambridge GCE A-Level (advanced level) examinations in various higher-level subjects and may grant advanced placement and/or credit for exemplary grades.
*Please note that we do not accept GCE "O" level examinations for placement.
Review our application plans and deadlines to decide which is the best fit for you.
