Do SAT Scores Matter for Art School?

Korean students preparing for US art school often wonder: do SAT scores matter for art school admission? The short answer is: much less than at conventional academic universities, and at some schools, not at all. Understanding exactly how SAT scores function across different art school applications helps Korean students prioritize their preparation appropriately.

The Test-Optional and Test-Blind Reality

Most competitive US art schools have moved to test-optional or test-blind admissions policies:

Test-optional means submitting SAT/ACT scores is not required. If submitted, they may be considered as a supporting data point.

Test-blind (CalArts) means SAT/ACT scores are not considered even if submitted.

For Korean international students, SAT scores are less commonly submitted than for US domestic students — and the schools above generally do not expect them.

When SAT Scores Help (and When They Don’t)

When submitting SAT scores might help: If your SAT score is strong (1450+ for RISD-level schools), submitting it adds a positive data point to your application — particularly if your GPA is slightly below average. A strong SAT score can signal academic aptitude that complements a slightly weaker transcript.

When not to submit SAT scores: If your SAT score is below the middle 50% range for admitted students, submitting it adds a negative data point. The test-optional policy exists precisely so that students with strong portfolios but weak test scores are not penalized. Use it.

The important principle: At art schools, SAT scores are never the primary admissions driver. No SAT score compensates for a weak portfolio — and no low SAT score eliminates a student with an exceptional portfolio from serious consideration (at test-optional schools). The portfolio comes first.

Korean Students and the SAT

For Korean students applying from Korean high schools, the SAT is taken voluntarily — it is not required by any of the major art schools listed above. Most Korean students applying to art school do not submit SAT scores.

If you are at a Korean international school and have taken the SAT as part of your school’s testing program: consider submitting if your score is above 1450 for RISD/Parsons-level schools. Below that range, test-optional is the safer choice.

If you are at a Korean domestic school and have not taken the SAT: you do not need to take it for art school applications. Your preparation time is more productively spent on portfolio development, TOEFL preparation, and English writing skills.

TOEFL vs SAT: The More Important Test for Korean Students

Korean international students should prioritize TOEFL over SAT. TOEFL (or IELTS) is required — not optional — for all international students at RISD, Parsons, and other major art schools. SAT is optional. TOEFL is mandatory.

TOEFL preparation deserves dedicated time and resources. It affects admission eligibility in a way that SAT does not — and a TOEFL score below the minimum is disqualifying regardless of portfolio quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RISD care about SAT scores? RISD is test-optional — SAT scores are considered if submitted but not required. RISD’s admissions focus is primarily on portfolio quality and the Hometest. A strong SAT score can add a supporting data point; a below-average score should probably not be submitted.

If I don’t submit SAT scores, am I at a disadvantage at RISD? No. Test-optional means exactly that — submitting scores is neither required nor implicitly expected. Many admitted RISD students do not submit SAT scores. Your portfolio and Hometest are what matter most.

Should I take the SAT if I’m applying to art school? For most Korean students applying primarily to art schools, the time spent preparing for the SAT is better invested in portfolio development and TOEFL preparation. If you are also applying to academic universities alongside art schools, SAT preparation makes more sense.

Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]