Does Alabama require the SAT or ACT in 2027?

As of November 2026: As of November 2026, the University of Alabama's published policy for first-year applicants starting in 2027 is test-optional, except that an ACT or SAT score is required when the cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0; for 2028 entry, every applicant must send one. Among enrolled first-years who sent an SAT in fall 2023, the middle half scored between 1170 and 1400.

Alabama's 2027 rule turns on a 3.0 GPA, and its 2028 rule covers everyone. Here is what that means for your family and what to do now.

By Nick Standlea, Test Prep Gurus. Figures may be quoted with attribution to Test Prep Gurus.

A 3.0 GPA decides it for 2027 For 2027 entry, Alabama requires an ACT or SAT score when the cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0, and a score is optional otherwise. For 2028 entry, every applicant must send one.

The middle half of SAT senders scored 1170 to 1400 On the ACT, the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent a score landed between 24 and 31 in fall 2023.

The ACT is the more common test at Alabama In fall 2023, 45 percent of enrolled first-years sent an ACT and 18 percent sent an SAT.

Alabama's testing policy

This is the rule the University of Alabama publishes, in its own words.

College	Policy	Applies to	In the university's words	Source
The University of Alabama	Test-optional (required below a 3.0 GPA for 2027 entry; required for all from 2028 entry)	first-year applicants for 2027 entry terms; a score is required for all first-year applicants from 2028 entry	For students who may begin applying in August 2026 and wish to start their studies as first-year undergraduate students in 2027, a standardized test score (ACT or SAT) will be required for students whose cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0. For students who may begin applying in August 2027 and wish to start their studies as first-year undergraduate students in 2028, a standardized test score will be required for all applicants.	Source

Test-optional means the university reads a score if one is sent.

Alabama scores, odds and cost

Score bands describe enrolled first-years who sent that test in fall 2023.

Measure	Value
applicants, fall 2023	58418
admits, fall 2023	44281
admit rate, percent	75.8
SAT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	1170
SAT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	1400
ACT 25th percentile, enrolled submitters	24
ACT 75th percentile, enrolled submitters	31
share of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT, percent	18
share who sent an ACT, percent	45
application fee, dollars	40
full price of a year, dollars	33382
average net price after aid, dollars	22420

Bands are the middle half of enrolled first-years who sent a score, not all admitted students.

Alabama deadlines for fall 2027 entry

The date Alabama lists for students starting in summer or fall 2027.

College	Priority deadline	Source
The University of Alabama	2026-12-04	Source

No date is listed for early decision, early action or a regular round.

Does Alabama require the SAT or ACT in 2027?

For 2027 entry, Alabama requires an ACT or SAT score only when the applicant's cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0, and a score is optional otherwise. This rule covers high school seniors in the 2026-27 school year, who apply starting in August 2026 and start college in fall 2027.

In the university's own words, a score "will be required for students whose cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0." This is the published policy as of November 2026.

So the answer depends on your child's GPA. For 2027 entry, Alabama is test-optional only for applicants whose cumulative high school GPA is 3.0 or higher. We go deeper on scores in our page on what SAT or ACT score you need for Alabama, at https://www.prepgurus.com/blog/sat-act-score-for-university-of-alabama.

Could the policy change before fall 2027?

Alabama has already published its rule for 2028 entry: every first-year applicant must send an ACT or SAT score. That covers students who apply starting in August 2027 and start college in 2028.

We cannot promise the 2027 rule will stay the same until your child applies. What we can say is that this is the policy Alabama publishes as of November 2026. We tell families to read the university's testing page again right before they submit, and to save a copy of what it says.

If your child is a junior, the 2028 rule matters now. A score will be part of every application, so the question is only how strong it is.

What scores do enrolled first-years carry?

Among enrolled first-years who sent an SAT in fall 2023, the middle half scored between 1170 and 1400. On the ACT, the middle half of submitters scored between 24 and 31.

These are the latest federal figures. They describe students who enrolled and chose to send a score, not every student who was admitted. They are a guide, not a cutoff.

In fall 2023, 45 percent of enrolled first-years sent an ACT and 18 percent sent an SAT. That makes the ACT the more common test at Alabama, though either one counts. That year, 58,418 students applied and 44,281 were admitted, for an admit rate of 75.8 percent.

Should my child send a score to Alabama?

If your child's cumulative GPA is below 3.0, the answer is already set: Alabama requires a score for 2027 entry, so the question is only how strong it is.

At 3.0 or above, our rule is simple. A score inside or above the 1170 to 1400 SAT band, or the 24 to 31 ACT band, is one to send. A score below the band is one to think hard about before you send it.

Even when a score is optional, we tell families it is nearly always good to have one. A strong score bolsters the odds of getting in, and most merit scholarships we see are keyed to a score.

Cost matters too. The full price of a year is $33,382, and the average net price after aid is $22,420. Alabama publishes a net price calculator, and we tell families to run it with their own numbers.

When are the deadlines?

Alabama lists December 4, 2026 as its priority deadline for freshmen starting in summer or fall. The application fee is $40.

No date is listed for early decision, early action or a regular round. We tell families to treat December 4 as the real target date.

If your child needs a score, or wants a strong one to send, plan the last test date so the score reaches Alabama before that deadline.

What should we do this month?

Have your child sit a free full-length mock SAT and a free full-length mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus this month, then compare each result with Alabama's bands of 1170 to 1400 on the SAT and 24 to 31 on the ACT.

Pick the test where your child looks stronger. Then plan 6 to 12 weeks of prep before a test date that counts. Our students prepare for the whole test every sitting, not just one section, because every part shows up in the final score.

To set up both mock tests, call us at 949.229.5359 or start at https://www.prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step. We will go over the results with you and help you choose a plan that fits your calendar.

Questions parents ask

Is Alabama test-optional for 2027?
For 2027 entry, Alabama is test-optional only for applicants whose cumulative high school GPA is 3.0 or higher.

What changes for 2028 entry at Alabama?
Alabama has already published its rule for 2028 entry: every first-year applicant must send an ACT or SAT score.

What SAT scores do Alabama students have?
Among enrolled first-years who sent an SAT in fall 2023, the middle half scored between 1170 and 1400.

When is the Alabama priority deadline?
Alabama lists December 4, 2026 as its priority deadline for freshmen starting in summer or fall.

Ready to plan the next test date? Free mock SAT and free mock ACT at Test Prep Gurus, then a plan built on the result: prepgurus.com/take-the-next-step or 949.229.5359.

Method and sources: The policy shown comes from the University of Alabama's own testing requirements page and uses its terms: 2027 entry, with a score required below a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA, and 2028 entry, with a score required for all. The SAT and ACT bands describe the middle half of enrolled first-years who submitted that test in fall 2023, the latest federal file, and do not describe all admitted students. Prices come from the College Scorecard, and the deadline comes from Alabama's own apply page.