NCAA Standardized Test Update & New AP Course

Have you heard the latest update for future collegiate student athletes?

Earlier this year, academic committees in NCAA Divisions I and II unanimously recommended removing standardized test requirements from initial eligibility criteria for student athletes hoping to compete at the college level.

This recommendation comes as part of the NCAA’s broader effort to advance racial equity. The NCAA Standardized Test Score Task Force, after months of research and feedback from Division I and II members, concluded that eligibility standards should evolve alongside changing college admissions policies.

A final vote is expected at the NCAA Convention in January 2023.

What This Means for Student Athletes

This shift reflects a larger trend across college admissions.

Standardized testing is becoming less central, and more emphasis is being placed on:

• academic performance over time
• extracurricular involvement
• leadership and impact

For student athletes, this reinforces the importance of building a strong overall profile beyond test scores. As admissions becomes more nuanced, understanding how different parts of your application are evaluated is key, especially in competitive environments as discussed in How Competitive Majors Affect Admissions Chances.

It is also important to recognize that even if testing requirements are reduced, strong academics still matter. Benchmarks like GPA continue to play a major role, which is why context from What Is a Good GPA for College Admissions? can help students better understand where they stand.

New AP Course: AP African American Studies

In addition to NCAA changes, the College Board is piloting a new AP course: AP African American Studies.

Over the next two years, the course will be introduced in 60 high schools across the U.S. While the curriculum is still being finalized, it is expected to explore:

• the history of people of African descent in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean
• early African civilizations and medieval kingdoms
• the ongoing fight for civil rights and equality

This expansion reflects a broader push to diversify academic offerings and give students more opportunities to engage deeply with meaningful subject matter.

Why This Matters for Your Application

Taking rigorous and relevant coursework is an important part of building a strong academic profile.

AP courses not only demonstrate academic readiness, but also show:

• intellectual curiosity
• willingness to challenge yourself
• alignment with your interests

Choosing the right courses matters just as much as performing well in them. Students who build a thoughtful academic path tend to present stronger applications overall. If you are thinking about how coursework connects to your broader goals, guidance like Choosing the Right Major for College Admissions can help you align your academic decisions with long-term direction.

Final Thoughts

Both of these updates point to a larger shift in education and admissions.

• Testing is becoming less central
• Holistic evaluation is becoming more important
• Academic choices and experiences matter more than ever

For student athletes and academically driven students alike, success now depends on building a well-rounded, intentional profile.

Staying informed and making strategic decisions early can make a meaningful difference in how you stand out.