University of Maryland Testing Policy
Yes. Maryland states it has extended its practice of making SAT and ACT scores optional through the Spring and Fall 2027 application cycles. Scores remain one of the published review factors, so a strong score still counts when submitted. The decision is whether yours strengthens your file, not whether it is required.
The policy, as stated
The university's own wording is that it "has decided to extend its practice to make SAT and ACT scores optional through to the Spring and Fall 2027 application cycles." Two things follow. Test optional is a decision Maryland has renewed rather than made permanent, and it carries an explicit end point, so anyone applying beyond those cycles should re-check rather than assume.
Scores are still a factor when you send them
SAT or ACT scores appear on Maryland's published list of review factors. Optional does not mean ignored. It means the absence of a score is not held against you, while the presence of a strong one is information the reader will use.
How to decide
Compare your score to the middle 50 percent range of recently admitted students, which Maryland publishes in its Common Data Set. At or above the midpoint, submitting generally helps. Well below, it generally does not. Inside the range but low is a judgment call that depends on the rest of the file.
Check the adjacent uses
Confirm separately whether scores affect scholarship consideration, honors programs or course placement at Maryland for your year, since those can operate on different rules from admission. Verify on the university's own pages rather than on a third-party list.
Sources
Read from the university’s own pages and verified on 28 July 2026. Admissions details change, so confirm anything time sensitive before you act on it.