NCAA Sliding Scale | GPA and SAT/ACT Requirements

NCAA sliding scale

When you are trying to determine the GPA or SAT/ACT test scores you need to be NCAA eligible, you must reference the NCAA sliding scale. The sliding scale is designed so that if you have a higher GPA, you can have lower SAT/ACT scores. If you have really strong test scores, you can have a lower GPA.

Insider Tip: The NCAA uses the “core course GPA.” This is different than the GPA on your high school transcripts. Each year, a small group of student-athletes will assume that because they are on track to graduate high school, they are on track to be NCAA eligible, but they are different things. Go here to calculate your core course GPA.

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SAT requirements
NCAA DI sliding scale
NCAA DII sliding scale for partial qualifiers

ACT requirements
NCAA DII sliding scale

NCAA SAT requirements: How to send your SAT scores to the NCAA

The NCAA uses what is called a “combined SAT” test score. This means you add the math and reading scores and do not use the written score when determining your NCAA eligibility. You can take the SAT as many times as necessary during high school. The NCAA will use your highest single math and reading score and add them together for your best SAT combined score.

How to send your SAT scores to the NCAA – The NCAA only accepts test scores sent directly from the College Board.

Sending test scores when registering: When you are registering for the SAT, enter the code “9999” in the area identifying the schools you would like your test scores sent.
Sending test scores after you have taken the SAT: If you have already taken the SAT, you will need to go to the college board website to have test scores sent. Be advised this will cost $12, but there are fee waivers available.

SAT Concordance Score – The College Board organization recently changed the SAT test in the spring of 2016. If you took the SAT before that data, you likely took the old version and will need to use the concordance table to convert those scores into the ones now used by the NCAA.

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NCAA ACT requirements: How to send your ACT scores to the NCAA

The NCAA sliding scale uses your “ACT sum score.” This is calculated by adding together your English, math, reading and science scores. You can take the ACT a total of 12 times during high school, and your top scores in each subject will be used to create your highest ACT score.

How to send your ACT scores to the NCAA – The NCAA will only accept ACT scores sent directly from the ACT organization.

Sending ACT scores when registering: When you register for the ACT, enter the code “9999” in the area identifying the schools you would like your test results shared with.
Sending ACT scores after you’ve taken the test: If you have already taken the ACT and need to send scores, go to the ACT website. Be advised, this will cost $35.

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NCAA DI Sliding Scale

Core GPA	SAT	ACT
3.550 & above	400	37
3.525	410	38
3.500	420	39
3.475	430	40
3.450	440	41
3.425	450	41
3.400	460	42
3.375	470	42
3.350	480	43
3.325	490	44
3.300	500	44
3.275	510	45
3.250	520	46
3.225	530	46
3.200	540	47
3.175	550	47
3.150	560	48
3.125	570	49
3.100	580	49
3.075	590	50
3.050	600	50
3.025	610	51
3.000	620	52
2.975	630	52
2.950	640	53
2.925	650	53
2.900	660	54
2.875	670	55
2.850	680	56
2.825	690	56
2.800	700	57
2.775	710	58
2.750	720	59
2.725	730	60
2.700	740	61
2.675	750	61
2.650	760	62
2.625	770	63
2.600	780	64
2.575	790	65
2.550	800	66
2.525	810	67
2.500	820	68
2.475	830	69
2.450	840	70
2.425	850	70
2.400	860	71
2.375	870	72
2.350	880	73
2.325	890	74
GPA's Below 2.3 Are Redshirt only
2.300	900	75
2.299	910	76
2.275	910	76
2.250	920	77
2.225	930	78
2.200	940	79
2.175	950	80
2.150	960	81
2.125	970	82
2.100	980	83
2.075	990	84
2.050	1000	85
2.025	1010	86
2.000	1020	86

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NCAA DII Sliding Scale

*Use for Division II FULL QUALIFIER* *After August 1, 2018*			*Use for Division II PARTIAL QUALIFIER* *after August 1, 2018*
Core GPA	SAT	ACT	Core GPA	SAT	ACT
3.300 & above	400	37	3.050 & above	400	37
3.275	410	38	3.025	410	38
3.250	420	39	3.000	420	39
3.225	430	40	2.975	430	40
3.200	440	41	2.950	440	41
3.175	450	41	2.925	450	41
3.150	460	42	2.900	460	42
3.125	470	42	2.875	470	42
3.100	480	43	2.850	480	43
3.075	490	44	2.825	490	44
3.050	500	44	2.800	500	44
3.025	510	45	2.775	510	45
3.000	520	46	2.750	520	46
2.975	530	46	2.725	530	46
2.950	540	47	2.700	540	47
2.925	550	47	2.675	550	47
2.900	560	48	2.650	560	48
2.875	570	49	2.625	570	49
2.850	580	49	2.600	580	49
2.825	590	50	2.575	590	50
2.800	600	50	2.550	600	50
2.775	610	51	2.525	610	51
2.750	620	52	2.500	620	52
2.725	630	52	2.475	630	52
2.700	640	53	2.450	640	53
2.675	650	53	2.425	650	53
2.650	660	54	2.400	660	54
2.625	670	55	2.375	670	55
2.600	680	56	2.350	680	56
2.575	690	56	2.325	690	56
2.550	700	57	2.300	700	57
2.525	710	58	2.275	710	58
2.500	720	59	2.250	720	59
2.475	730	59	2.225	730	60
2.450	740	60	2.200	740	61
2.425	750	61	2.175	750	61
2.400	760	62	2.150	760	62
2.375	770	63	2.125	770	63
2.350	780	64	2.100	780	64
2.325	790	65	2.075	790	65
2.300	800	66	2.050	800	66
2.275	810	67	2.025	810	67
2.250	820	68	2.000	820 & above	68 & above
2.225	830	69
2.200	840 & above	70 & above

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