Before you even think about playing, practicing or getting a D-I or D-II scholarship, you’d better make sure your grades and test scores are up to par.

The NCAA Eligibility Center requires that all Division I prospects have at least a 2.0 grade point average, with either a combined verbal and math SAT score of 1010 or a sum ACT score of 86. From there, D-I schools use a sliding scale to determine your eligibility. The higher your GPA, the lower your required test score. For example, if you have a 3.55 GPA or higher, you need either a combined SAT score of only 400 or a 37 on the ACT.

D-II schools do not have an NCAA sliding scale, so all prospects must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and either a minimum SAT score of 820 or a sum ACT score of 68. And since D-III schools don’t give athletic scholarships, there are no NCAA academic eligibility requirements. You have to check with individual colleges for specific admission policies.