Standardized Testing

Submission of standardized exam results is required for all applicants to The Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program, which vary based on the country and context in which a student completed their secondary school education. Please see below for additional information.
 

  • How do I submit SAT or ACT scores if I have them? 
    The Office of Admissions accepts self-reported scores but will require an official score report upon enrollment. 
     
  • Does this policy apply to other test scores? 
    The Office of Admissions will also accept self-reported results for any students who submit the Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and other proficiency exam scores. 

What standardized test scores do I submit?

Students or Graduates of Anglophone High Schools

Students who are required to submit their Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing Program (ACT) scores as part of their Fall 2026 application for admission should have their score reports sent directly from the testing service to the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program, care of Columbia University School of General Studies.

  • The College Board (SAT and TOEFL) code for Columbia University School of General Studies is 2095.
  • The ACT code for Columbia University School of General Studies is 2716.
     

Please note that the testing codes above for the School of General Studies differ from those for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering; please ensure that all test scores are sent to the appropriate admissions office.

Students or Graduates of Non-Anglophone High Schools

Students for whom English was not the primary language of instruction for their high school or secondary education (ex.: French lycée students, including those in American/British OIB sections) and did not live in an Anglophone country for at least three years must submit official scores from either the TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English Qualifications C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams. These scores must be received by the January 2 application deadline.

The Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program admissions committee requires the following minimum scores for students applying to the program: 

Non-native English speakers may choose to submit an SAT or ACT score instead of a TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency exam; however, the admissions committee reserves the right to ask students to later submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency exam as part of their application.

Regardless of the standardized test result used in the admissions process, all admitted students for whom English was not the primary language of instruction for their high school or secondary education (ex.: French lycée students, including those in American/British OIB sections) and did not live in an Anglophone country for at least three years will be required to take the English Essay Examination offered by the Columbia University American Language Program in their second year at CityUHK before matriculating at Columbia University in the fall of their third year.

A Note on Official Documents

Unofficial documents are accepted as part of the application review process. If offered admission, in order to enroll you will be required to submit official documents. Official standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing institutions to the School of General Studies. See testing codes above for the SAT and ACT exams. English Proficiency exams must be sent directly from the testing agency to [email protected].