Ball State University is a test-optional institution, which means you decide whether you want to provide your SAT, ACT, and/or CLT scores as part of your application. We recognize the importance of your GPA and high school curriculum as primary predictors of your success at Ball State, and we believe standardized testing is not always the best indicator of your strengths or your potential.

Not providing scores will not count against you when reviewing your application for admission. Instead, it gives you the ability to decide how to most accurately portray your academic strengths when applying to Ball State.

Eligibility

Anyone applying to Ball State as an undergraduate student may choose to not provide test scores unless you attended a high school that does not provide grades.

Although optional for most applicants, we recommend that you still submit your SAT, ACT, and/or CLT test scores if you believe they will benefit your standing in the admissions review process. You should also use our scholarship calculator to see if you could receive merit-based financial aid based on your scores.

How It Works

Whether or not you decide to share your SAT, ACT, or CLT test scores, you will apply to Ball State using our regular online application. However, you will need to select one of two options to indicate your decision:

  • “I will be submitting SAT, ACT, and/or CLT test scores to Ball State and want them used during the review of my application for admission.
  • “I do not want Ball State to use my SAT, ACT, and/or CLT test score(s) during the review of my application for admission (even if I have scores sent to Ball State).

Sending Your Test Scores

If you choose to send in your test scores, we accept them sent from your testing agency or on your official high school transcript. We superscore, which means we'll consider your best test scores, so we strongly encourage you to have all score reports sent to us so we know we're working with your highest overall composite score.

Use Ball State's institution code to have your scores sent from your testing agency:

  • SAT scores — use code 1051
  • ACT scores — use code 1176.
  • CLT scores — no code necessary.

No Test Scores? No Problem.

We practice a rolling admission policy at Ball State. This means that students who want to apply with test scores won’t miss deadlines for admission, academic opportunities, and scholarships if they cannot complete the SAT, ACT, and/or CLT before submitting their application. Students can indicate this situation on their application, which will prompt our admissions team to hold the application until scores are received.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding test scores and Ball State’s test-optional policy. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to our admissions staff and we’ll gladly assist you.