Standardized Test Options, Course Recommendations, and Advanced Standing

Standardized Test Options
Colby requires official results of one of the following:
  • the College Board SAT Reasoning Test
  • the American College Test (ACT)
  • the SAT Subject Tests (in three different subject areas*)
The choice of which test(s) to take is entirely up to each applicant, and the admissions committee at Colby will use the set of test results that best advantage each applicant. For those submitting the ACT, the writing test is also recommended.

A score of 640 or above on a foreign language (reading and writing) Subject Test enables a student to fulfill Colby’s foreign language requirement. A score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement foreign language exam, or 6 or 7 on an International Baccalaureate foreign languague exam (higher level), also satisfy the foreign language requirement.

All required tests should be taken no later than November of the senior year for students applying under the fall option of the Early Decision Plan, no later than December for students applying under the winter option of the Early Decision Plan, and no later than January for students applying for regular admission. Test results should be submitted to Colby directly from the appropriate testing agency.

Colby's institution codes are 3280 for the College Board and 1638 for the ACT.

*Math 1 and Math 2, as well as any language with the same language's listening test, are considered to be from the same subject area.

 
High School Course Recommendations
Colby campus at duskA minimum of 16 academic college preparatory units is recommended, including:
  • four years of English
  • three years of a single foreign language (or the equivalent)
  • three years of college preparatory mathematics
  • two years of laboratory science
  • two years of history or social science
  • two years of other college preparatory electives
Additional work in languages and in laboratory sciences, if possible, also is encouraged. Most successful applicants also have participated significantly in extracurricular and community activities.
 
Advanced Standing
Colby participates in the Advanced Placement Program of The College Board. Credits will be recorded on the Colby transcript for official AP scores of 4 or 5, and, where appropriate, advanced course placement will be granted. These credits may also be applied to certain academic areas of the College's distribution requirement , but AP scores may not be counted toward the 128 credits required for graduation.

Colby also recognizes the International Baccalaureate and offers advanced placement and credit based on individual Higher Level examination results, as well as performance on the full IB Diploma program. At the discretion of individual academic departments, advanced placement may be earned for scores of  6 or 7 on Higher Level examinations. A full year of credit toward the 128 credits required for graduation and up to two full semesters toward the residency requirement may be earned for an IB Diploma point total of 36 of better, assuming all examination scores are 5 or better.

Finally, students who receive an A or B (superior level) on A-levels, or comparable scores on the Leaving Certificate (Ireland), the Abitur (Germany), or the Baccalaureate (France), may be eligible for credit and advanced placement.