SAT, APs & Extracurriculars: a practical UK/US admissions game plan
Global overview with a UK/US focus • Updated Aug 24, 2025 • ~9–12 minute read
TL;DR: In the US, some selective universities now require SAT/ACT again, others are test‑optional, and a few are test‑free. In the UK, APs carry the weight—SAT/ACT won’t replace them. Build a plan that fits your target list.
1) Where scores matter right now (quick map)
United States. Policies split into three buckets: Test‑required (you must send SAT/ACT), Test‑optional (you choose), and Test‑free (they won’t look). This changes by campus and year—always check the admissions page the month you apply.
Test‑required (examples): Harvard (from Class of 2029), Dartmouth (Class of 2029), Brown (Class of 2029), MIT (already required), Yale (requires scores but allows AP/IB in lieu via test‑flexible). US
Test‑optional (examples): Columbia (policy made permanent in 2023), many liberal‑arts colleges continue test‑optional. US
Test‑free (examples): University of California system (does not consider SAT/ACT for admission). US
Translation: if you’re US‑bound, a strong SAT/ACT still helps at many schools, and is required at some. If you’re California‑public‑bound, don’t stress about SAT/ACT for selection—focus on coursework and narrative.
2) UK vs US: same exams, different uses
UK admissions
APs are essential equivalents to A‑levels. Expect ~3–5 APs with 5s for competitive courses; subject fit matters (e.g., Calculus BC for maths‑heavy courses).
Oxford/Imperial/LSE/Cambridge: typically require multiple AP 5s; SAT/ACT alone isn’t enough. Some departments list AP+SAT/ACT combos.
Activities matter less than academic evidence. Focus on subject mastery, admissions tests (e.g., TSA/ENGAA/MLAT where relevant), and the personal statement.
US admissions
Holistic review. SAT/ACT can be required or optional; APs validate rigor and may earn placement/credit.
Extracurriculars matter a lot. Impact & initiative outweigh club count. Demonstrated interest varies by school.
Context matters. Schools read scores and activities relative to your opportunities.
3) SAT vs ACT: how to choose & plan
Pick via practice tests: take one official SAT and one ACT practice under timed conditions. If your percentile gap is ≥10 points, follow the stronger test.
Timeline: aim to finish testing by the summer before Year 13/Grade 12. That leaves autumn for essays and UK admissions tests.
Superscoring exists: many US schools combine your section highs across sittings; still, build for two serious attempts, not six.
Digital SAT reality: shorter, section‑adaptive. Master question types and on‑screen tools; simulate on laptop, not paper.
4) APs that actually signal readiness
Rule of thumb: pick APs that match your intended course or major. Five 5s scattered randomly signal breadth; a cluster aligned to your course screams fit.
STEM‑bound (UK or US): Calculus BC, Physics C (Mech + E&M), Chemistry, CS A. Add Further Math equivalents where possible (A‑level contexts).
Economics/Business: Calc BC, Micro, Macro, Statistics (plus a writing‑heavy AP like Lang).
Humanities/Law: AP Lang, Lit, History (Euro/World/US), a language AP; add Gov/Pol or Philosophy if offered.
UK: some courses specify particular APs (e.g., Oxford Maths expects Calc BC). US: APs show rigor even at test‑optional schools.
5) Extracurriculars: build a “spike,” not a scrapbook
Admissions readers skim for evidence of impact. Think outputs: code shipped, papers posted, competitions placed, programs launched, students taught.
Pick a lane: One theme beats ten scattered clubs—e.g., “computational biology outreach” or “policy + data.”
Stack credibility: competitions (Olympiads, DECA, FBLA, Science/History Fairs), selective programs, research mentorships, or community initiatives with measurable reach.
Ship public work: a small site, GitHub project, Medium/blog series, a whitepaper, or an open dataset.
Leadership via outcomes: don’t just hold the title—run workshops, publish toolkits, raise funds, expand chapters.
UK nuance: activities matter mainly when they show subject commitment (reading lists, lectures, competitions). For Oxbridge, admissions tests + interviews dominate; ECs support, not substitute.
6) A simple 18‑month plan
Months 1–3: diagnostic SAT & ACT; choose one; light prep (2–4 hrs/week). Map APs for subject fit. Start one impact project.
Months 4–6: first official SAT/ACT; AP coursework pace; publish the first output of your project.
Months 7–9: second test sitting if needed; shortlist UK/US targets; note testing policies; line up teachers for recs.
Months 10–12: UK personal statement drafting; US essay spikes; interview/test prep (e.g., TSA/ENGAA/ELAT as relevant).
Months 13–18: submit early where appropriate; keep shipping outputs; prepare for interviews; finish APs strong.
7) Policy snapshots (verify for your year)
These examples help you aim your effort; always re‑check each university’s site the month you apply.
UC (California public system): test‑free—won’t consider SAT/ACT for admission.
Harvard/Brown/Dartmouth: standardized tests required for Class of 2029 (2025–26 cycle).
Yale: “test‑flexible”—requires scores but allows AP/IB results in lieu of SAT/ACT.
MIT: SAT/ACT required.
Columbia: test‑optional (policy announced permanent in 2023).
UK examples: Imperial does not accept SAT/ACT for entry; expects 3–4 AP 5s. LSE publishes AP+SAT/ACT equivalences. Oxford/Cambridge typically expect multiple AP 5s (often 3–5) with subject relevance.
8) Quick checklist
Make two target lists (US & UK) and label each school as test‑required/optional/free (US) or AP‑focused (UK).
Choose SAT or ACT; book two sittings max; simulate digital conditions.
Align APs to course: aim for 3–5 AP 5s that actually match your subject.
Pick one extracurricular theme; ship something public each term.
Calendar deadlines: UK admissions tests and US app rounds can collide.
9) FAQ
Do UK universities accept SAT/ACT instead of APs? No—treat SAT/ACT as supplementary. APs (or A‑levels/IB HLs) are the core evidence.
Test‑optional means “don’t send scores,” right? Not exactly. If your score strengthens your profile relative to the school’s middle 50%, submit it.
How many activities? Fewer, deeper. Two strong spikes beat ten light memberships.