UAB Will Require Standardized Tests for Fall 2028
The University of Alabama at Birmingham plans to end its test-optional admission policy in four years.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in College Applications
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The University of Alabama at Birmingham will require all applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores beginning with the fall 2028 admission cycle. This move marks the formal removal of the school's current test-optional application pathway.
Why it matters
The decision aligns with a broader trend of universities re-evaluating admission requirements that were initially suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective students will need to prepare for these updated evaluation criteria for admissions and scholarship reviews.
Applicants to the University of Alabama at Birmingham will be required to submit ACT or SAT scores for the fall 2028 cycle. The university is officially removing the test-optional pathway used for previous admission years.
The players
University of Alabama at Birmingham
This is a public research university located in Birmingham that is a major academic and medical center.
Alabama A&M University
This is a public land-grant university in Alabama that is currently reviewing its own standardized testing policies.
The details
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is shifting its admissions framework by mandating standardized test scores for both student enrollment and institutional scholarship reviews. This policy change will replace the test-optional status that many institutions across the country adopted following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Timeline
The mandatory testing requirement takes effect for the fall 2028 admissions cycle.
Culture Shift
The transition back to mandatory testing reflects a significant correction in higher education as institutions pivot away from the temporary policies adopted during the pandemic. This shift positions the University of Alabama at Birmingham alongside other schools reconsidering traditional metrics.
Students planning to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall of 2028 must now incorporate ACT or SAT test preparation into their high school routines. This change affects both the admission process and eligibility for institutional scholarships.
The takeaway
High school students should prioritize standardized testing timelines early in their academic planning to ensure they meet future application requirements. Maintaining a strong test profile remains a critical component for those targeting competitive university admissions.
Further reading
For more information on changing admission requirements, visit the College Applications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WVTM 13.
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