Last updated: April 2026 · 7 min read · Audience: Authors, students, early-career researchers · Reading level: Introductory
Introduction
Authors looking for higher acceptance probability often seek journals with lower rejection rates. This is reasonable, but the search must distinguish journals that have legitimately high acceptance from venues that accept everything.
This page provides the framework for that distinction. The goal is improved acceptance odds while preserving the value of the publication.
When low rejection rates are legitimate
| Pattern | Why rate is high | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty journal with focused community | Submitters know the scope intimately | Editorial board active; recent articles substantive |
| Growing journal not yet at saturation | Lower selectivity to build content | Documented review; modest indexing |
| Journal with scope-self-selecting submitters | Authors only submit if fit is strong | Editorial process documented |
| Predatory venue (avoid) | Most submissions accepted; no real review | Fails verification checks |
Practical guidance
- Verify the journal independently: indexing, editorial board, recent articles.
- Read three recent articles to gauge the quality of work being published.
- Check whether published articles show substantive revision (response letters, version histories).
- Prefer journals that disclose their acceptance rate calculation method.
- Treat 'over 90% acceptance' claims as a question to investigate, not a feature to celebrate.
What to avoid
Decision guidance
Higher acceptance probability is reasonable to seek, but should not come at the cost of indexing or peer review. A journal with 60% acceptance rate that is well-indexed is generally a stronger choice than a 90% acceptance journal without indexing.
Example scenarios
Scenario: an author seeking faster, less risky publication
Authors prioritising acceptance probability often benefit from specialty journals where scope alignment is strong. The acceptance rate may be higher because submitters know the scope; the publication record remains credible because indexing and peer review are intact.
Scenario: a student preparing first submission
First-time authors choosing journals on acceptance rate alone risk publishing in unindexed venues. A mid-tier journal with 50–60% acceptance, real reviewer feedback, and documented indexing is a stronger first publication choice than a venue with claimed near-universal acceptance.
Scenario: a researcher with limited revision bandwidth
Authors with limited time for revisions reasonably target journals that turn around quickly with high acceptance. Verifying that the high acceptance rate reflects scope alignment (not absent review) takes 30 minutes and prevents costly mistakes.
What to do next
Identify candidates with higher legitimate acceptance rates by examining specialty journals in scope, then verify each through indexing, editorial board, and recent articles. Authors targeting EP Journals Group venues can use the central submission form.
Frequently asked questions
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Related reading and next steps
- Submission portal — Submit a manuscript through the central form
- Journals list — Six peer-reviewed journals across disciplines
- Journals with high acceptance rates
- How to avoid rejection
- Reputable vs predatory
- High acceptance rate journals
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this guide or about preparing a manuscript for submission may be directed to the editorial office. Where a query relates to a specific journal in the portfolio, please indicate the journal abbreviation in your message.
Email: editor@ep-journals.org