ACT and SAT
Q-1. What is the minimum ACT score for 2022 high school graduates and does the score change
every year?
A. The ACT qualifying scores for students graduating from eligible Louisiana high schools in 2022
are:
TOPS Tech – 17 or the silver level score on the assessments of the ACT WorkKeys system
TOPS Opportunity – 20
TOPS Performance - 23
TOPS Honors - 27
The minimum qualifying score for the Opportunity Award is determined annually based on the
state's average composite ACT score reported for the prior year (the average for last year was
18.8),
truncated to the nearest whole number. The minimum score may never be less than 20 and
is currently 20.
*NOTE: The ACT scores above are TOPS requirements. The achievement of these scores does
not necessarily mean that you will meet the admissions standards of the college of your choice
since some schools require minimum ACT sub-scores for admission. You should contact the
admissions office for the colleges to which you will apply to verify the ACT admission
requirements for those schools.
Q-2. What is the minimum ACT score for students completing a BESE approved home study
program for 2022?
A. The ACT qualifying scores for home study students for 2022 are:
TOPS Tech – 19
TOPS Opportunity – 22
TOPS Performance – 24*
TOPS Honors – 28*
*NOTE: The ACT scores above are TOPS requirements. The achievement of these scores does
not necessarily mean that you will meet the admission standards of the college of your choice since
some schools require minimum ACT sub-scores for admission. You should contact the admissions
office for the colleges to which you will apply to verify the ACT admission requirements for those
schools.
Q-3. What is the minimum ACT score for 2022 graduates of out-of-state and out-of-country high
schools*?
A. The ACT qualifying scores for these 2022 graduates are:
TOPS Tech – 20
TOPS Opportunity – 23
TOPS Performance – 26*
2
TOPS Honors – 30*
*NOTE: The ACT scores above are TOPS requirements. The achievement of these scores does
not necessarily mean that you will meet the admission standards of the college of your choice since
some schools require minimum ACT sub-scores for admission. You should contact the admissions
office for the colleges to which you will apply to verify the ACT admission requirements for those
schools.
Q-4. What is the deadline for taking the ACT/SAT?
A. You must achieve a qualifying score on or before the ACT national test date in April in the
academic year you graduate from high school. If you have not previously achieved a qualifying
score, you may qualify after the ACT national test date in April in the academic year you graduate
from high school. Beginning with graduates of 2021, you may qualify on a test taken after the
ACT national test date in April , but prior to August 1, by using May, June, and/or July test scores,
including scores from a special ACT or SAT, but your period of eligibility for the award will be
reduced by one semester or two quarters. You can qualify for a higher award using a score
achieved after the national ACT test date in April and before August
1. See Question 16 for
important information regarding upgrading a TOPS Award with a late ACT score.
In very limited circumstances, the Board of Regents may grant an exception to the April deadline
IF it determines that the applicant had registered for a test prior to August 1 but was prevented
from taking the test prior to August 1 of the year of graduation due to circumstances beyond the
immediate control of the student AND attributable to the administration of the test. If it makes
this determination, a student will not be penalized one semester or two quarters.
Scores earned on an ACT/SAT taken after August 1 but before September 30 immediately
following high school graduation may be accepted on a very limited basis. The Board of Regents
must grant an exception to the August 1 deadline because it determines that the applicant was
prevented from taking the test prior to August 1 of the year of graduation due to circumstances
beyond the immediate control of the student AND attributable to the administration of the test.
Illnesses,
lack of transportation, death in the family, and similar circumstances are not attributable
to the administration of the test and will not support an exception to the ACT deadline.
Q-5. Will a score from a special ACT or SAT taken after the official April test date but before
August 1 be accepted?
A. Yes. You may use a first time qualifying score achieved on a special ACT or SAT test after the
official April test date and before the August 1 deadline, but your eligibility will be reduced by
one semester or two quarters.
6. Is any type of ACT or SAT test acceptable?
3
A. No. You must take an official National (includes State), International, Military, Arranged, Special,
Extended Time ACT test or the SAT test.
