The University of Oklahoma will utilize a test-optional admissions process for the next five years, making OU the first public university in the state to adopt a multi-year test-optional undergraduate admissions policy.

The university has been authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to implement the new policy through the 2025 admissions cycle, making the submission of common standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT, optional for OU admission.

The decision follows guidance issued in July by the State Regents that lifted the testing requirement for students applying to enter OU in the spring and fall 2021 semesters.

Since 2012, OU has utilized a holistic admissions process, which evaluates prospective students on four components: academic rigor and performance, activities and engagement, personal essay and letter(s) of recommendation.

Holistic admission has allowed OU to use many factors to predict the likelihood of student success, and now the university can make admission decisions without relying on a test score.