Preparation Recommendations

Please remember that these are recommendations, not requirements. BYU does not have specific admission requirements for high school courses. However, we have provided the following suggestions to help you prepare for success in college and beyond.

All of our recommendations stem from the Aims of a BYU Education. We look for applicants who demonstrate that they value and align with these principles.

BYU Specific Recommendations

• Follow the example of Jesus Christ by striving to keep his commandments and doing your best to live the standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• In order to increase your faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, participate in and graduate from seminary when possible. After high school, attend institute of religion classes.
• Take the most rigorous courses available to you in which you can be successful. For example: 
  
  • AP/IB classes 
  • College Credit (concurrent or dual enrollment)  
    
    • Keep in mind that the grades and credit you earn will always be on your college transcript
  • Honors classes
• For most applicants, BYU is test-optional through winter 2028. If a test score is optional for you, we encourage you to submit one because it may strengthen your application. BYU follows a “Do No Harm” approach for test scores. If your score strengthens your application, we’ll consider it in our review; if it doesn’t, we won’t use it.
  If a test score is required or you choose to include one, the score must be included at the time you submit your application.
  See New Freshmen Scholarships for information about how ACT/SAT scores are used for scholarships.
  
• Get involved in extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you; develop your specific talents.
  
  • Arts (Music, Art, Theater, Dance)
  • Athletics
  • Church (Any Denomination)
  • Community (Military, Clubs, Student Government, Politics)
  • Employment
  • Humanities (Language, Writing, Speech)
  • Service
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
• Plan to provide specific examples of how you have contributed to your community in meaningful ways as you write your application essays. 

NOTE: Most applicants will not be required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to BYU through winter 2028. Applicants may choose to submit a test score if they feel it would strengthen their application; however, applicants who do not submit a test score will not be at a disadvantage.

General College Recommendations

We encourage you to keep your options open and prepare for multiple colleges. Remember that other colleges may have specific course requirements. These general recommendations are based on common expectations at many U.S. universities:

• 4 years of mathematics
• 4 years of English
• 2-3 years of laboratory science
• 2 years of history or government
• 2 or more years of foreign language