Italian Universities That Accept the SAT
Six leading Italian universities accept the SAT as part of their admissions process for international degree programs taught in English: Bocconi, LUISS Guido Carli, John Cabot University, the University of Bologna, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Politecnico di Milano. If you are planning to study in Italy, your SAT score can be a decisive part of your application.
EPIC Prep works with students across Europe, and beyond, every year to help them reach the scores they need. Each section below covers one university, with its score details and a link to the EPIC course that prepares students for it.
Table of Contents
What SAT Score Do You Need for Italian Universities?
There is no single SAT score that applies to all Italian universities. Each institution sets different thresholds by program, and many evaluate the score as part of a complete application rather than as a hard minimum. In general, a total SAT score above 1300 is considered competitive for most international programs in Italy, and a Math score above 680 is commonly expected for technical programs such as those at Politecnico di Milano.
| University | Published minimum or guidance | Competitive target |
| LUISS Guido Carli | Minimum 1200 | Recommended around 1250 |
| John Cabot University | No published minimum | Enrolled-student averages: Math 529, Reading and Writing 613 |
| Bocconi University | Minimum 1040 | 1350–1400+ |
| Politecnico di Milano | Minimum 1240 | Strong Math score essential |
| University of Bologna (UniBo) | No single threshold | 1200–1300 or above recommended |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | 560 per section (1120 total) | Varies by faculty and campus |
These figures vary by program, so always check the specific program page on each university’s official website for the most up-to-date requirements before you register for the exam.
The Digital SAT is scored from 400 to 1600. The two sections are Reading and Writing, and Math, each with a maximum of 800. To see how the score is calculated and what your target should be, read our SAT Scoring Guide.
Which Italian Universities Accept the SAT?
Six Italian universities stand out as the most sought-after destinations for international students submitting the SAT: LUISS Guido Carli and John Cabot University in Rome, Bocconi University and Politecnico di Milano in Milan, the University of Bologna, and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, which has campuses in several cities. These are the institutions EPIC students most commonly target, and all six consider the SAT as part of a broader admissions process.
The test is most relevant for international programs taught in English, so verify the requirements for your degree on the university’s official website before registering.
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What SAT Score Does LUISS Guido Carli Require?
LUISS Guido Carli sets a minimum SAT score of 1200 for both EU and non-EU applicants, and a score of around 1250 is the recommended target. LUISS treats the SAT as one component of a complete application, alongside your school transcript and a motivation letter. For certain degrees, its own selection test sits at the center of the process, so confirm how your program weighs each element.
The English-language programs include International Management, Economics and Business, and Political Science, among others. The LUISS admission test is valid only for LUISS, while an SAT score can also be used for John Cabot, Bocconi, and universities across the US, UK, and Europe.
What to know before you apply:
- SAT requirements differ between faculties and degree types, so check the specific program page.
- LUISS has strict deadlines, and missing one means waiting a full year, so plan your SAT registration well ahead.
EPIC starts every LUISS plan with a diagnostic test, then builds the preparation around the 1200 minimum and the 1250 target, tracking progress by skill in Boost Your Prep. See our SAT course for LUISS in Rome.
Does John Cabot University Accept the SAT?
Yes. John Cabot University, an American liberal arts university in Rome, accepts the SAT and does not list a minimum SAT score in its published enrollment profile. What it does publish are the averages of its degree-seeking undergraduates: 529 in Math, with the middle 50% between 480 and 573, and 613 in the writing and reading section, with the middle 50% between 550 and 683.
Because there is no published cutoff, use these ranges as your benchmark rather than a requirement.
What to know before you apply:
- The averages describe students who enrolled, not a cutoff: a score below them does not rule you out, and a score above them does not guarantee admission.
- John Cabot updates its enrollment profile regularly and requirements vary by program, so check its undergraduate admissions pages before registering.
EPIC starts with a diagnostic and tracks your progress by skill in Boost Your Prep, so you can see where you stand against these averages. See our SAT course in Rome for John Cabot.
What SAT Score Does Bocconi University Require?
Bocconi publishes a minimum SAT score of 1040, but students who want to be competitive should aim for 1350–1400 or higher. That competitive range is not a Bocconi-published figure; it reflects EPIC’s experience with applicants. Admission is highly competitive, and the SAT is one of the key elements Bocconi uses to evaluate candidates.
Bocconi evaluates applications using multiple components, though in practice strong SAT scores and academic performance carry the greatest weight. A motivation letter may support the application in certain cases, but it is not a primary factor.
What to know before you apply:
- Bocconi uses both an Early Decision and a Regular Decision calendar. Deadlines vary, so check the official calendar on bocconi.eu well in advance.
- The admissions team looks at your full profile, not just your test score.
The gap between the 1040 minimum and a competitive 1350–1400+ is large, so EPIC builds each Bocconi plan on a diagnostic, personalized weekly sessions, error analysis, and practice with official exams. See our SAT course in Milan for Bocconi.
What SAT Score Does the Politecnico di Milano Expect?
Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) accepts students with a minimum total SAT score of 1240, and the Math section is the most important part of that score. A weak Math score will work against you however strong your overall result is. POLIMI is consistently ranked among the top technical universities in Europe, and its admissions process for international engineering and design programs reflects that standard.
English-language undergraduate programs include Computer Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Design, and Architecture. Prioritize SAT Math preparation from the start of your study plan.
What to know before you apply:
- POLIMI may require additional tests alongside the SAT for certain degrees. Check whether a TOLC or equivalent applies to your program on polimi.it.
EPIC focuses POLIMI preparation on Math, using Boost Your Prep, the only European SAT preparation software and available exclusively through EPIC courses, to target the most frequent question types, along with the Desmos techniques from Jaclyn Caruana’s book Desmos SAT Hacks. See our SAT course in Milan for POLIMI.
What SAT Score Does the University of Bologna (UniBo) Require?
The University of Bologna (UniBo) does not apply a single SAT threshold across its international programs, but it recommends scores in the 1200–1300 range or above for most of them. Requirements vary significantly by degree, and the Math section carries more weight for science, engineering, and economics programs.
Before registering for the exam, check your program page on unibo.it to confirm whether the SAT is required for your degree and what the current expectations are.
What to know before you apply:
- UniBo’s international programs sit in different faculties with different selection criteria, so don’t assume what applies to one program applies to another.
- Take at least one timed SAT practice test before your official date to see whether you are closer to 1200 or 1300.
EPIC students targeting UniBo start with a diagnostic to decide whether the lower or higher end of the range fits their degree, then train in small groups or one-on-one. Explore our SAT preparation course.
Does Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Accept the SAT?
Yes. Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore uses the SAT as one element of a broader admissions process for its international undergraduate programs, and it recommends a minimum of 560 per section, equivalent to 1120 on the full test. Requirements vary considerably between faculties and campuses.
Cattolica has campuses in Milan, Rome, Brescia, Piacenza, and Cremona, with programs in humanities, economics, law, medicine, and science. For students based in Milan, its Milan campus is worth researching alongside Bocconi and Politecnico.
What to know before you apply:
- Requirements depend heavily on the program and campus, so check unicatt.it for your degree before registering.
EPIC begins with a diagnostic and a personalized plan, so you know how far you are from the Cattolica benchmark before booking your exam. Explore our SAT course with EPIC Prep.
When Can You Take the SAT in Italy?
The SAT is offered in Italy eight times per year — in August, September, October, November, December, March, May, and June — with test centers available in Milan, Rome, and other Italian cities. Always verify center availability in your city and register at satsuite.collegeboard.org, as not every date is available at every international location.
How Long Does SAT Preparation Take for Italian University Admission?
Most students need 10 to 15 weeks of structured SAT preparation for Italian university admission. That window covers students starting from scratch and students on a standard timeline.
Your own timeline depends on your situation:
- Starting from scratch: 10 to 15 weeks, with a full course.
- Standard timeline, no tight deadline: 10 to 15 weeks.
- Very little time to dedicate to the SAT: 15 weeks, at the minimum recommended workload.
- Tight deadline: EPIC can prepare students in a window of 4 to 5 weeks when needed.
- Already advanced in your preparation: normally from 3 to 4 weeks.
Count back from your test date to find your start date. Universities like LUISS enforce strict deadlines, so leave room for a retake.
EPIC Prep has offices in Milan, Madrid, Barcelona, and Zurich. Every student starts with a diagnostic assessment, and the plan is built around their level, target score, and timeline. Jaclyn Caruana, co-founder of EPIC Prep and author of the Desmos SAT Hacks book, created Boost Your Prep, the only SAT preparation software developed by a European company. It includes 3,000+ exercises, full-length tests, and advanced analytics that show whether you are on pace for your target score. It is available exclusively through EPIC Prep courses.
Is the SAT Mandatory for Italian Universities?
Whether the SAT is required, recommended, or entirely optional varies by university, by program, and sometimes by the type of secondary school diploma you hold. This is why checking the admissions requirements for your specific degree on the university’s official website is always the right first step — and doing it early, before you register for the exam, can save you a significant amount of time and money.
What is true across all of the universities on this list is that submitting a strong SAT score — even when it is not strictly required — strengthens your application. Admissions teams at competitive institutions like Bocconi and LUISS receive far more applications than they can accept. A strong SAT score is one of the few objective, internationally recognized data points in your file, and it gives the admissions team a clear signal about your academic readiness that grades alone cannot always provide.
If you are unsure whether your target program requires the SAT, contact the admissions office of your chosen university directly — they are the only source that can give you a definitive answer for your specific degree and diploma type. For more clarity on whether submitting the SAT makes sense for your application at all, our guide SAT Mandatory, Test Optional & Test Blind is a good place to start.
How Does EPIC Prep Help Students Get Into Italian Universities?
EPIC Prep has been preparing students across Europe for the SAT since 2010, with an average score improvement of 225 points and 95% of students reaching their target score. For students targeting Italian universities specifically, that preparation is built around the score thresholds and program requirements covered in this guide.
One recent example: Carlotta, 18, started her preparation with a score of 1080 — below the threshold for most programs on this list. Three months later she scored 1420, a 340-point improvement, and was admitted to Bocconi. Her preparation followed a personalized plan built on weekly sessions, error analysis, and guided practice with official exams.
Those results rest on four pillars: specialized tutors who are native speakers and graduates of universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland; exclusive in-house materials updated continuously based on the latest exam analysis; a practical approach where every session is built around exam-style exercises; and data analytics through Boost Your Prep — the only SAT preparation software developed by a European company — which tracks progress at the skill level and adjusts the plan as preparation evolves.
If you are preparing for Bocconi, LUISS, John Cabot, Politecnico, UniBo, Cattolica, or any other Italian university, our team can help you build a plan.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
