High School Competency
Requirements

Ready for College?
Let's Find Out

Before you can be admitted to the university, you must complete required courses as determined by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR).

Admission Requirements at a Glance*

  • 4 years of English
  • 4 years of mathematics
  • 3 years of lab science
  • 2 years of the same second language 
  • 2 years of social sciences (1 year of American history) 
  • 1 year of fine arts or 1 year of career and technical education (CTE) 

*See below for additional course details.

Do you have a GED or alternate high school diploma?

Jump to equivalency requirements »

Additional Details

All first-year and transfer applicants under age 22 must satisfactorily complete the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) core competency requirements. Refer to the table below for the high school coursework requirements, specific scores or college courses needed. Please note some programs or colleges may require additional information and/or admission requirements.

English Composition or Literature - 4 units

ABOR Requirements

English I
English II
English III
English IV

Or SAT Score

SAT Reasoning Test:
Critical reading score of 530 or above pre-March 2016; or 580 or above March 2016 or later

Or ACT Score

English sub score of 21 or above

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

One 3-credit English course


Mathematics - 4 units

High School Coursework Requirements

Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Advanced Math for which Algebra II is a prerequisite

Or SAT Score

SAT Reasoning Test:
Math score of 540 or above pre-March 2016; or 570 or above March 2016 or later

Or ACT Score

Math sub score of 24 or above

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

One 3-credit course at the college algebra level or higher


Laboratory Science - 3 units

High School Coursework Requirements

Three distinctive units from the following areas: biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, integrated lab science (may include advanced study in one area)"

Or SAT Score

SAT Subject Test scores:
chemistry—600 or above;
biology—590 or above;
physics—620 or above

Or ACT Score

Natural science sub score of 20 or above (Test scores may be used to demonstrate competency in one (1) science only)

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

Three 4-credit lab science courses (only two may be in the same field)


Social Science - 2 units

High School Coursework Requirements

One unit of American history; one additional unit from: (European/world history, economics, sociology, geography, government, psychology, anthropology)

Or SAT Score

SAT Subject Test scores:
American history/social studies: 560 or above;
European/world culture:
580 or above

Or ACT Score

Equivalent not available

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

One 3-credit American history course and one 3-credit social science course


Second language - 2 units

High School Coursework Requirements

Two units of the same language

Or SAT & ACT Score

Attain a minimum score on a national standardized language test, such as AP or CLEP Examination scores; or earn certified placement into third college-level semester of higher based on an exam given by an accredited institution of higher education; or other forms of verification are available.

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

One year of study in the same language; includes American Sign Language


Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education (CTE) - 1 unit

High School Coursework Requirements

One unit or any combination of two semesters of high school fine arts or the same CTE program

Or SAT Score

N/A

Or ACT Score

N/A

Or College Coursework to Offset Deficiencies

One 3-credit fine arts class or 3-credit CTE course approved by the Arizona Department of Education


A deficiency is defined in one of two ways, missing a unit of coursework or falling below a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in a specific subject area. Applicants must have an unweighted overall grade point average of 2.0 (A = 4.0) in each subject area and may not have more than two deficiencies. Students may not have deficiencies in both math and laboratory science or in the same subject area.

Assured Admission

You are assured admission to the University of Arizona if you attended a regionally accredited high school and:

  • Rank in the top 25% of your graduating class, OR
  • Have a 3.0 unweighted GPA through your sixth semester in the core competency requirements.

Comprehensive Review

If you don’t meet the requirements for Assured Admission, that’s okay. We utilize a comprehensive review process, which means we consider many factors when reviewing your application.

Application Review Process »

A Note About SAT/ACT Scores

SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission to the University of Arizona, institutional merit scholarships or admission to the Franke Honors College.

However, test scores are important post-admission for class placement at orientation. Students who took the SAT or ACT should send official test scores directly from the testing agency.

GED and Other High School
Equivalency Tests

Your GED test scores will fulfill the high school transcript requirement, so you do not need to fill out the high school coursework section of our application. Enter General Education Development (GED) and select “High School” as the level of study under “Add Institution” in the Academic History section of the application.

GED 5th Series
(2014-Present)

Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math

≥ 170 on each test component with

Overall Battery Average ≥ 680


GED 4th Series
(2002-2013)

Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, Math

Overall Battery Average ≥ 500


GED 3rd Series
(1988-2001)

Writing, Interpreting Literature and the Arts, Socials Studies, Science, Math

Comprehensive Review


GED 2nd Series 
(1978-1987)

Writing, Interpreting Literature and the Arts, Socials Studies, Science, Math

Comprehensive Review


GED 1st Series
(1943-1977)

Correctness and Effectiveness of Expression, Interpretation of Reading Materials in the Social Studies, Interpretation of Reading Materials in the Natural Sciences, Interpretation of Literacy Materials, General Mathematic Ability

Comprehensive Review


HiSet – High School 
Equivalency Test

Grading Scale 1-20 on 5 subtests, with score of 1-6 on essay portion.

Comprehensive Review


California Proficiency – 
CHSPE

English and Mathematics subtests only.

Comprehensive Review


Grand Canyon High 
School Diploma - GCHS

A valid, recognized high school diploma available to Arizona students who demonstrate college and career readiness in all core subject areas before they leave high school.

Comprehensive Review


TASC – Test Assessing 
Secondary Completion

Language Arts Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies.

Comprehensive Review