Most families applying to the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) understand the headline: a Texas student leaves high school after grade 9, 10 or 11 and takes full-time classes at the University of North Texas. The pieces that cause trouble are the ones with specific rules. This guide explains four of them for the 2026-2027 cycle (Class of 2029): the SAT or ACT with its Science requirement, the four teacher evaluations, the proctored Algebra I and II exam, and the interview. Every rule below comes from the TAMS admissions pages.
First, who can apply
Applicants must have been Texas residents, based on a parent or court-appointed legal guardian, for 12 consecutive months at the time of application. TAMS says UNT's Office of Undergraduate Admissions, not TAMS, decides residency. Students must be enrolled in an accredited or state-approved high school program in grade 9, 10 or 11, must have completed Algebra I, and must be enrolled in or have completed Geometry and Algebra II when they apply. Students admitted as 11th graders must complete two years in the program to receive verification of high school graduation, with no exceptions.
The SAT or ACT, and the Science sub-score
TAMS needs an SAT or ACT score. An ACT must include the Science section, and TAMS says it will not consider an ACT score without a Science sub-score. The essay or writing portion is not required. Scores should be sent directly by College Board or ACT to the University of North Texas, not to TAMS, using SAT school code 6481 or ACT code 4136.
A few details are easy to miss:
- Last date: March 6, 2027 is the last SAT date TAMS will accept this cycle, because the process cannot wait for May scores.
- Not accepted: TAMS does not accept PSAT, Duke TIP or Baylor TIP scores.
- Which test: TAMS recommends the ACT over the SAT for students interested in its Music and Visual Arts & Design tracks.
- Early research: students who want Early Summer Research consideration are advised to test in November.
- No cutoff: a test score is one of more than twenty variables TAMS considers, so it is never the only factor.
TAMS says its average SAT score is about 1350 and its average ACT score is 31. The FAQ does not say whether that describes applicants or enrolled students, so treat it as context, not a target. TAMS expects above average test scores, especially in science and math.
Transcripts and report cards
Families upload PDF transcripts or report cards, including the first grading period of fall 2026. Each page must show the student's name and the school, and screenshots are not accepted. TAMS says it expects high grades in all academic subjects. It says most admitted students have grades averaging 95 and above, and that a few Bs can matter.
Four teacher evaluations
TAMS asks for four evaluations, all from teachers the student has during the 2026-2027 school year: English, math, science and a fourth teacher. The science teacher should teach biology, chemistry or physics. TAMS contacts the teachers on your behalf.
Three rules prevent most problems. First, submit only one request form. Second, wait until the student has a report card, not a progress report, for the current year. Third, choose the fourth teacher carefully. It can be any current teacher of an academic subject, but not a coach who teaches or a director of a mainly extracurricular activity. Visual Arts & Design applicants use an art, music, yearbook or journalism teacher, and Music applicants use a music teacher.
A practical step for families: tell each teacher before the request goes out, so the email from TAMS does not arrive unexpected.
The Algebra I and II exam
TAMS reviews only complete files to decide who is invited to a proctored exam covering Algebra I and II. It does not release algebra scores, and applicants cannot retake the exam. Scheduling depends on how many complete applications TAMS has, and TAMS contacts applicants directly with dates. TAMS has not published exam dates.
Since there is no retake, the useful preparation is to revisit Algebra I and II material in the weeks before a file is complete, not after the invitation arrives.
The interview
After the exam score is added to the file, TAMS decides whether to interview the student. The interview is one-on-one with a TAMS staff member. It covers the student's goals and values and reflections on events that shaped their view of education and relationships. Students are notified if they advance. TAMS says it interviews about 300 to 350 of the 400 to 500 students who apply, and that it aims to admit 185 to 200.
Supplemental materials
Applicants may also send supplemental materials about non-academic pursuits or achievements, as a PDF to tamsadmissions@unt.edu, so TAMS can look at well-roundedness. TAMS says it looks for extensive community service or STEM-related involvement outside school.
What TAMS has not published
TAMS has not posted exam or interview dates, decision dates, or an admit rate. The calendar also shows both April 15 and April 19 for the application close, so check the TAMS admissions site for the exact day before you plan around it.
When all pieces are in
A file is complete when residency is approved, the ApplyTexas application is finished and every supporting document on the checklist is in. Only complete files are reviewed, and all supporting documents must be received by May 3, 2027. For help weighing your own student's situation, EduAvenues has a free starting point on its high school admissions page.
Sources
See also our preparation guide, admissions overview and parent FAQ.
TAMSPrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science.