Students applying to UGA, Georgia Tech and five other Georgia public universities must submit SAT or ACT scores for fall 2026 admission.
The University System of Georgia confirmed the requirement, ending a temporary test-optional policy at those seven schools: UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Augusta University, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University and Georgia College & State University. All other USG institutions may still require scores based on an applicant's GPA.
For Johns Creek families, the local numbers tell a specific story. Class of 2025 SAT averages at the three area high schools all cleared the 1,200 mark: Northview High School averaged 1,254, Chattahoochee High School averaged 1,236 and Johns Creek High School averaged 1,212, according to the North Atlanta Star.
That 1,200 figure matters. It is the minimum SAT score for the Zell Miller Scholarship, which covers tuition at Georgia's public universities. The scholarship also requires a 3.7 HOPE-calculated GPA and four rigor credits, according to GAfutures.org.
One catch: the qualifying score must come from a single SAT sitting. A superscore combining the best sections from different test dates does not count.
While Johns Creek-area schools average above the threshold, the district-wide picture is different. Fulton County Schools reported a Class of 2025 district average of 1,076, still 124 points below the Zell Miller cutoff. The North Atlanta Star reported 5,135 students took the test across the district. That district average topped the state average of 1,029 and the national average of 996.
Superintendent Mike Looney said in March 2024, when the district released Class of 2024 SAT results, that rising participation showed "more and more of our students are seeing the value of college readiness." SAT participation has continued climbing, with the Class of 2025 testing group exceeding the prior year's 4,826 students.
What admission actually looks like
Meeting a minimum score does not mean matching the typical admitted student. UGA's floor is 480 in reading and writing and 440 in math. Among students admitted to UGA's Class of 2030, the middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 1,360 to 1,500.
Emory University, a popular choice for Johns Creek families, remains test-optional through the 2026-27 application cycle and advises students to submit scores only when they strengthen the application.
Prep options and test dates
Johns Creek High School's counseling department is partnering with Applerouth to offer on-campus SAT prep classes starting Saturday, Sept. 12, running Wednesdays through Nov. 4 from 3:45 to 6:15 p.m. The cost is $200 for 17.5 hours of group tutoring and two mock tests.
Free practice is also available through College Board's Bluebook app and Khan Academy.
Remaining fall SAT dates are Oct. 3 (registration deadline Sept. 18), Nov. 7 (deadline Oct. 23) and Dec. 5 (deadline Nov. 20). The digital SAT costs $68, with fee waivers available for eligible students.
Students who need testing accommodations should apply early. College Board says approvals can take up to seven weeks.
Families can verify a student's HOPE-calculated GPA and rigor credits at GAfutures.org. The HOPE GPA does not always match the GPA printed on a school transcript.
