Harvard University, Caltech to again require SAT/ACT Test Scores for Admission

The two universities joined the latest highly selective schools which amended admission policies and decided that submitting SAT or ACT scores will not be optional.

Harvard University announced that it will reinstate standardized testing as a requirement of admission. The university joined the latest in a series of highly competitive universities to reverse their test-optional policies.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Havard University announced on Thursday that students applying to Harvard College for fall 2025 admission will be required to submit standardized test scores.

"This new policy will be applied to the Class of 2029 admissions cycle and will be formally assessed at regular intervals," said the university's statement.

Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra foregrounded “a number of factors” that underscored the decision.

Edgerley Family added, "Standardized tests are a means for all students, regardless of their background and life experience, to provide information that is predictive of success in college and beyond,” she said. 

“Indeed, when students have the option of not submitting their test scores, they may choose to withhold information that, when interpreted by the admissions committee in the context of the local norms of their school, could have potentially helped their application. In short, more information, especially such strongly predictive information, is valuable for identifying talent from across the socioeconomic range," she added.

Harvard University said that in exceptional cases in which applicants are unable to access SAT or ACT testing, other eligible tests will be accepted.

Caltech announces to restore Standardized Test Requirement for Undergraduate Admission

All students who apply to Caltech beginning in fall 2024 and would enrol in fall 2025 are required to report SAT or ACT test scores as part of their application for admission to undergraduate study.

"The Institute paused its SAT and ACT test requirement in 2020 when it implemented a moratorium in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced access to standardized exams for students worldwide. The moratorium was extended in 2021, and then again in 2022. The Institute's decision ends the moratorium, which originally was set to expire in 2025," said the official statement.

"We are proud of the students we've enrolled over the last several years and confident in the steps we've taken to enhance our ability to identify students who will succeed at – and beyond – Caltech," says Provost David Tirrell.

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