Tests, superscores and pre-college curriculum

ACT/SAT scores

K-State is test-optional, which means admission can be granted using other academic information. However, some scholarships and awards for freshmen may require an ACT or SAT.

K-State accepts superscores. The highest subject scores are used when calculating an ACT Composite and when combining the SAT ERW+M. The highest possible score will be used for admission and scholarship purposes.

Updates for future students:

ACT has announced that the Science section of the test will be optional beginning with the April 2025 online national test date, and for both online and paper national tests starting in September 2025.

K-State will not require a Science score for university admission or scholarships.

Terms

• Legacy - Past ACT with Science required
• Enhanced – Current and future ACT with Science optional

Students who graduate high school on or after October 1, 2025, will be superscored as described below.

For students who provide ACT scores:

• If you have taken the ACT with the Science section, we will calculate your best superscore composite using Science AND excluding Science. The highest possible superscore will be used for admission and scholarships.
• If you have not taken the ACT with Science, we will calculate your best superscore with English, Reading and Mathematics.

K-State will superscore across the legacy and enhanced exam. This means the above scenarios apply to students who:

• Have only taken the legacy ACT exam
• Have taken both the legacy and enhanced exam
• Have only taken the enhanced exam

K-State does not prefer the ACT or SAT. Both scores are accepted.

Superscores are limited to ACT subsections or SAT subsections only (e.g., K-State does not combine an ACT English with an SAT Math). Students who provide more than one SAT score will also be superscored using the highest Enhanced Reading and Writing and Math scores.

Qualified admission recommended precollege curriculum

Challenging academics in high school are important to your success. The following curriculum recommendation mirrors the Kansas Scholars Curriculum and guidance from the Kansas Board of Regents. This curriculum will help high school and home school students prepare for university-level work.

Subject	Years	Notes
English	4	One unit to be taken each year. Should include substantial recurrent practice in writing extensive and structured papers, extensive reading of significant literature, and significant experience in speaking and listening.
Science	3	One year each in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, each of which includes an average of one laboratory period a week.
Mathematics	4	Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and one unit of advanced mathematics-- suggested courses include: Analytic Geometry, Trigonometry, Advanced Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Functions or Calculus.
Social studies	3	One unit of U.S. History; minimum of one-half unit of U.S. Government and minimum of one-half unit selected from: World History, World Geography or International Relations; and one unit selected from: Psychology, Economics, U.S. Government, U.S. History, Current Social Issues, Sociology, Anthropology, and Race and Ethnic Group Relations.
Foreign Language	2	Two years of one language. Latin and Sign Language are accepted.
Semester-long courses which combine to total years of instruction are encouraged.