NCAA Freshman-Eligibility Standards Quick Reference Sheet Know the Rules

Core Courses

• Starting August 1, 2008, 16 core courses will be required for NCAA Division I only. This rule applies to any student first entering any Division I college or university on or after August 1, 2008. See the chart below for the breakdown of this 16 core-course requirement.
• 14 core courses are required in NCAA Division II. See the breakdown of core-course requirements below.

Understanding Test Scores

• Division I has a sliding scale for test score and grade-point average. The sliding scale for those requirements is shown on page two of this sheet.
• Division II has a minimum SAT score requirement of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68.
• The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used.
• The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the four sections on the ACT: English, math, reading and science.
• All SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center by the testing agency. Test scores that appear on transcripts will no longer be used. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the Eligibility Center code of 9999 to make sure the score is reported to the Eligibility Center.

Division I Schools: 16 Course Rule

16 Core Courses:

• 4 years of English.
• 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
• 2 years of social science.
• 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

Division II Schools: 14 Course Rule

14 Core Courses:

• 3 years of English.
• 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school).
• 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science.
• 2 years of social science.
• 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy).

PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 1, 2013, students planning to attend an NCAA Division II institution will be required to complete 16 core courses.

Grade Point Average

• Only core courses are used in the calculation of the grade-point average.
• Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the Eligibility Center's Web site to make certain that the courses being taken have been approved as core courses. The Web site is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
• Division I grade-point-average requirements are listed below.
• The Division II grade-point-average requirement is a minimum of 2.000.

NCAA DIVISION I SLIDING SCALE CORE GRADE-POINT AVERAGE / TEST-SCORE

New Core GPA / Test Score Index Core GPA SAT ACT

Verbal and Math ONLY

Other Important Information

• Division II has no sliding scale. The minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The minimum SAT score is 820 (verbal and math sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is 68.
• 14 core courses are currently required for Division II. However, beginning 2013, students will be required to complete 16 core courses.
• 16 core courses are required for Division I.
• The SAT combined score is based on the verbal and math sections only. The writing section will not be used.
• SAT and ACT scores must be reported directly to the Eligibility Center from the testing agency. Scores on transcripts will not be used.
• Students enrolling at an NCAA Division I or II institution for the first time need to also complete the amateurism questionnaire through the Eligibility Center Web site. Students need to request final amateurism certification prior to enrollment.
• For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.ncaa.org. Click on "Academics and Athletes" then "Eligibility and Recruiting." Or visit the Eligibility Center Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
• Please call the NCAA Eligibility Center if you have questions: Toll-free number: 877/262-1492.