Entering a score means recording a test result in an application. Requesting official delivery means separately arranging for that result to be transmitted to the receiving institution. Entering a score does not, by itself, demonstrate that an official score report has been delivered.
EducationUSA lists standardized test scores among general undergraduate application requirements and says they may be used to assess an applicant’s academic ability and English proficiency level. However, it also states that application requirements can vary greatly between U.S. institutions. There is therefore no single rule covering every school or application.
How the Two Actions Differ
| Action | What it does | What still needs checking |
|---|---|---|
| Entering a score | Records a test result within an application | Whether the institution accepts an entered score as a preliminary report, a self-reported score, or the final submission |
| Requesting official delivery | Separately sends the score to the institution through the applicable reporting channel | Whether official delivery is required, permitted, or unnecessary for that application |
An application may allow an applicant to enter a score while still requiring an official report later. The cited EducationUSA guidance does not establish that this process applies universally, nor does it say that one action always replaces the other.
How to Check the Requirement
An applicant should review the institution’s current undergraduate application instructions and look for distinctions between:
- Entering, uploading, or self-reporting a score
- Providing an official score report
- Requesting direct delivery to the institution
- Meeting a score requirement for academic ability, English proficiency, or both
The relevant admissions, testing, or English-language requirements page should be checked for the current procedure. If the wording is unclear, the institution can confirm whether an entered score is sufficient at that stage and whether an official report must also be delivered.
What the Available Guidance Does Not Specify
The cited EducationUSA page does not state a universal deadline, fee, delivery method, processing time, score threshold, or list of accepted tests. It also does not say that every institution requires official delivery. Those details must be confirmed from the current materials for the specific institution and program rather than inferred from general application guidance.