On January 19th, 2021, College Board announced that they will no longer administer the SAT Subject Tests in the U.S. and that the Essay would be retired. Read our blog post to understand what this means in the near term and what the College Board has in store for students down the road.
Our articles on Subject Tests and the SAT Essay will remain on our site for reference purposes as colleges and students transition to a revised testing landscape.
As more schools soften their SAT Subject Test policies, very strong AP exam scores can serve as valuable differentiators. Compass offers AP and academic tutoring in over 50 subjects to help students stay on pace with their coursework. We have a strong team of subject specific expert tutors to guide the program from start to finish. We also offer a Study Skills and Organizational Coaching program to provide students with the tools they need to excel in the classroom.
Updates for the class of 2021
- In response to COVID-19, many schools have adopted Test Optional policies. These policies also apply to Subject Tests. At present (8/5/2020), all schools on this list have implemented a temporary or permanent TO policy.
- Brown, Dartmouth, and Duke have softened to neither required nor recommended. However, they will still consider Subject Test scores if submitted.
- Swarthmore no longer considers Subject Test scores for admission.
- MIT has made the decision to no longer consider the SAT Subject Tests as part of the admissions process.
- Harvey Mudd no longer requires Subject Tests as part of the application.
- Caltech has dropped its Subject Test requirements. In response to COVID-19, the university also put a two-year moratorium on all standardized testing requirements and considerations.
- Cornell and Carnegie Mellon no longer considers subject tests for admissions.
| College | Summary | Subject Test Policy |
|---|---|---|
| McGill University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, McGill has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: McGill requires the SAT and 2 SAT Subject Tests OR ACT. Subject recommendations vary by department.] |
| Webb Institute | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Webb has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Webb requires the SAT or ACT and recommends the writing section is included. "SAT Subject Tests or AP Tests, particularly those in math and the sciences can demonstrate a student's strengths in those areas to the Admissions Committee. In those cases, we recommend that students submit these scores as part of the admissions process."] |
| Emory University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Emory has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Emory requires the SAT or ACT. "SAT II subject exams are encouraged, but not required. Students are encouraged to submit SAT subject exam scores for academics areas of strength and/or interest. Since these exams are not required, students have the choice of which subject exams they want to report."] |
| Georgetown University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Georgetown has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Georgetown requires the SAT or ACT and does not consider the essay from either test. Georgetown recommends 3 Subject Tests and will accept Advanced Placement (AP) scores in lieu of Subject Test scores. Students who are applying Early Action will still receive full consideration even if they have not yet taken all of their Subject Test exams. However, Georgetown recommends that such students still take Subject Tests in time for the Regular Decision deadline in the event that they are deferred to Regular Decision. Applicants are required to submit all College Board and ACT scores.] |
| Harvard University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Harvard has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Harvard requires the SAT or ACT (with or without writing). Two SAT Subject Tests are recommended. "While we recommend that you submit two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them."] |
| Rice University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Rice has implemented a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Rice requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that 2 Subject Tests be taken in subjects related to proposed area of study.] |
| University of Pennsylvania | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, UPenn has announced a temporary test optional policy and softened its recommendation. [Normal policy: Penn requires the SAT or ACT. Any 2 Subject Tests are recommended for arts, humanities, and social sciences applicants. STEM applicants are strongly encouraged to take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test (Physics recommended for engineering applicants). Math Level 2 is recommended for business applicants. Nursing applicants are encouraged to submit a science Subject Test (preferably, Chemistry).] |
| Amherst College | Not Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Amherst has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Amherst requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Yale University | Not Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Yale has announced a temporary test optional policy and will not consider Subject Tests. [Normal policy: Yale requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that applicants take SAT Subject Tests.] |
| Hamilton College | Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Hamilton announced a temporary Test Optional policy. They stated they will still consider Subject Tests for students who choose to submit. [Normal policy: Hamilton's testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (Essay optional) (2) ACT (Writing optional) (3) Three exams of the student's choice, including one verbal or writing/essay, one quantitative, and one exam of the student's choice from among SAT sections, ACT Writing, SAT Subject Tests, AP scores, and IB final exams.] |
| Middlebury College | Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Middlebury announced a temporary Test Optional policy. They stated they will still consider Subject Tests for students who choose to submit. [Normal policy: Middlebury's testing requirements are satisfied with 1 of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) three SAT Subject Tests.] |
| Princeton University | Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Princeton announced a temporary Test Optional policy. [Normal policy: Princeton requires the SAT or ACT and recommends that applicants submit 2 Subject Tests. Engineering candidates are advised to take a math Subject Test and either chemistry or physics.] |
| Babson College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Babson has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Babson requires the SAT or ACT. Babson considers SAT Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Bates College | Considered | Bates is test optional. Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| Boston College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, BC has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Boston College requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests may "highlight a talent in a specific area."] |
| Boston University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, BU has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Boston University requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Accelerated medical and dental programs require Subject Tests in Chemistry and Math 2. A Subject Test in a foreign language is also recommended for these programs.] |
| Bowdoin College | Considered | Bowdoin is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. Homeschooled applicants must submit both (A) and (B): (A) SAT or ACT (B) Two SAT Subject Tests. |
| Brown University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Brown has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal Policy: Brown requires the SAT or the ACT. They will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Bucknell University | Considered | Bucknell is test optional. SAT Subject Tests will be considered as "supplemental information." |
| Carleton College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Carleton has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Carleton requires the SAT or ACT. "Applicants may submit the results of their SAT subject tests. These tests are not required."] |
| Case Western Reserve University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Case Western has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Case Western requires the SAT or ACT and considers optional essays and Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Claremont McKenna | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Claremont McKenna has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Claremont requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Homeschooled applicants are required to submit two SAT Subject Tests, one of which must be math.] |
| Colby College | Considered | Colby is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| College of William & Mary | Considered | In response to COVID-19, William and Mary has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: William & Mary requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests are optional. Homeschooled students are strongly encouraged to submit at least two SAT Subject Tests.] |
| Colorado College | Considered | Colorado College is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Columbia University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Columbia has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Columbia requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Connecticut College | Considered | Connecticut College is test optional. Students may choose to submit the SAT, 2 Subject Tests, or the ACT if they wish. "If you submit multiple SAT Subject Tests, we will consider your two highest scores from two different tests." |
| Dartmouth College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Dartmouth has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Dartmouth requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Davidson College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Davidson has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Davidson requires the SAT or ACT. "If applicants have taken SAT Subject Tests, Davidson welcomes but does not require those scores."] |
| Duke University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Duke has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Duke recommends the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. It does not require Subject Tests, but will consider scores if submitted.] |
| Franklin Olin College of Engineering | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Olin has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Olin requires the SAT or ACT and considers Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| George Washington University | Considered | George Washington is test optional. SAT or ACT scores and two SAT Subject Tests are required in science and mathematics for the Seven Year BA/MD program. |
| Ithaca College | Considered | Ithaca is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests are all optional, but “you may submit your results as supplemental information.” |
| Johns Hopkins University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Johns Hopkins has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal Policy: Johns Hopkins requires the SAT or ACT. Students may submit Subject Tests as a "way to demonstrate an academic strength . . . Engineering applicants are encouraged to submit Math Level 2 and one science."] |
| Kenyon College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Kenyon has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Kenyon requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests and SAT or ACT essays will be considered as additional information.] |
| Lafayette College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Lafayette has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Lafayette requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Macalester College | Considered | Macalester College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. They will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. |
| Northwestern University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Northwestern announced a temporary Test Optional policy. [Normal policy: Northwestern requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests are optional for most undergraduate applicants. The Honors Program in Medical Education (HPME) requires the Chemistry and Math Level 2 Subject Tests and the Integrated Science Program (ISP) requires the Chemistry, Physics and Math Level 2 Subject Tests.] |
| Oberlin College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Oberlin has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Oberlin requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.] |
| Occidental College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Oxy has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Occidental requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.] |
| Pomona College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Pomona has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Pomona requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests are optional.] |
| Reed College | Not Considered* | In response to COVID-19, Reed has announced a temporary test blind policy. [Normal policy: Reed requires the SAT or ACT. SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.] |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Considered | In response to COVID-19, RPI has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: RPI requires the SAT or ACT. Applicants to the accelerated program must take the SAT with Essay and 2 SAT Subject Tests (1 math and 1 science) or the ACT with Writing.] |
| Smith College | Considered | Smith is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| Stanford University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Stanford has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Stanford requires the SAT or ACT. "SAT Subject Tests are optional. Because SAT Subject Test scores can highlight your areas of strength, we welcome the self-reporting of these results in your application."] |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Stevens has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Stevens requires the SAT or ACT. Subject Tests in Math (Level 1 or 2) and either Chemistry or Biology are required for the Accelerated Medical Program. Musical or Visual Arts and Technology applicants may submit a portfolio in lieu of test scores.] |
| The Cooper Union | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Cooper Union has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Cooper Union requires the SAT or ACT. School of Engineering will consider SAT Subject Tests in Math and Science if submitted.] |
| Tulane University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Tulane has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Tulane requires the SAT or ACT. The optional essays are not required. Subject Test scores will be considered if submitted.] |
| Union College | Considered | Union is test optional except for the Law and Public Policy Program and the Leadership in Medicine Program. The 6-year law program requires the SAT or ACT. The 8-year medical program requires either the ACT with Writing or the SAT and 2 Subject Tests: one science and one math. |
| University of California, Berkeley | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. At Cal, Subject Tests are recommended for Chem and Engineering. [Normal policy: UC Berkeley requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Chemistry and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and a science related to the applicant's intended major.] |
| University of California, Davis | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Davis requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.] |
| University of California, Irvine | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Irvine requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, and Program in Public Health all have specific Subject Test recommendations.] |
| University of California, Los Angeles | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Prior to ruling, planned to be test optional for classes '21 and '22. Updated policy for class of '22 TBD. Test free for classes 2023-24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UCLA requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences recommends Math Level 2 and a science test related to the applicant's intended major.] |
| University of California, Merced | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Prior to ruling, planned to be test optional for classes '21 and '22. Updated policy for class of '22 TBD. Test free for classes 2023-24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Merced requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.] |
| University of California, Riverside | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Riverside requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and College of Engineering recommend Math Level 2 and either Chemistry or Physics.] |
| University of California, San Diego | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Prior to ruling, planned to be test optional for classes '21 and '22. Updated policy for class of '22 TBD. Test free for classes 2023-24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. At UCSD, Subject Tests are recommended for Engineering. [Normal policy: UC San Diego requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Biological or physical science applicants and applicants to the School of Engineering should take Math Level 2 and a science Subject Test related to the applicant's intended major.] |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Santa Barbara requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing and considers Subject Tests if submitted. Math Level 2 is recommended for College of Engineering applicants and College of Creative Studies applicants in math, physics, or computer science. In addition, physics, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors are encouraged to take the appropriate science Subject Test.] |
| University of California, Santa Cruz | Considered | Test free for class of ’21 per legal ruling. Test free for classes ’22, ’23, and '24 by choice. Thereafter will consider whether to reinstate a testing policy. [Normal policy: UC Santa Cruz requires the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing. SAT Subject Tests are considered if submitted.] |
| University of Chicago | Considered | Test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. |
| University of Delaware | Considered | In response to COVID-19, UD has temporarily extended their test optional policy to students outside Delaware. [Normal policy: UD is test optional for Delaware residents but requires the SAT or ACT for out of state students. UD will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted. Two SAT Subject Tests are strongly recommended for applicants to the University Honors Program.] |
| University of Michigan | Considered | In response to COVID-19, UM has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Michigan requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests "only in light of how they might benefit your review."] |
| University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Considered | In response to COVID-19, the UNC system has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: UNC-Chapel Hill requires the SAT or ACT. "You may submit supplemental scores from AP, IB, or SAT Subject tests if you think they are a good reflection of your mastery of the material."] |
| University of Notre Dame | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Notre Dame announced a temporary Test Optional policy. [Normal policy: Notre Dame requires the SAT or ACT. "SAT Subject Tests, AP, and IB tests are only used in the application process if scores enhance an application."] |
| University of Rochester | Considered | Rochester is test optional. Subject Tests are considered if submitted. |
| University of Virginia | Considered | In response to COVID-19, UVA has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Virginia requires the SAT or ACT and will consider SAT Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Vanderbilt University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Vanderbilt has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Vanderbilt requires the SAT or ACT and will consider Subject Tests if submitted.] |
| Vassar College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Vassar has announced a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Vassar requires SAT or ACT. For the class of 2017 and beyond, Vassar no longer requires SAT Subject Tests but will consider them if submitted.] |
| Wake Forest University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Wake Forest has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Wake Forest is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.] |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Considered | In response to COVID-19, WUSTL has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Washington University in St. Louis requires the SAT or ACT and will only "consider [SAT Subject Tests] if they strengthen your application."] |
| Wellesley College | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Wellesley has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Wellesley requires the SAT or the ACT and will consider Subject Tests if submitted. Applicants may want to submit Subject Test scores "to demonstrate particular academic strengths."] |
| Wesleyan University | Considered | In response to COVID-19, Wesleyan has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Wesleyan is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted. All entering first-year students are asked to submit ACT or SAT and/or two SAT Subject Test scores after the conclusion of the admission process for academic counseling and placement; however, "Wesleyan will not require any matriculating student who did not take an ACT, SAT or SAT II to take exams prior to enrolling."] |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Considered | In response to COVID-19, WPI has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: WPI is test optional. SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.] |
| Drexel University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, Drexel has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: Testing requirements satisfied with one of the following options: (1) SAT (2) ACT (3) 2 SAT Subject Test scores (4) 2 AP scores (5) IB Diploma or 2 IB Higher Level Exam scores (6) GCE Advanced-Level Exams (7) National Exam Results. “Applicants who submit SAT Subject Tests are required to present scores from one test that measures quantitative reasoning skills (math or science) and one test that measures verbal/writing skills (humanities or literature).” Applicants submitting Subject Test scores to LeBow College of Business must submit one math score and those submitting scores to Engineering programs must submit one math and one science related to the proposed course of study.] |
| New York University | Optional* | In response to COVID-19, NYU has instituted a temporary test optional policy. [Normal policy: NYU's testing requirements are satisfied with one of the following options: (A) SAT (B) ACT (C) 3 Subject Tests (D) 3 AP exams (E) The International Baccalaureate Diploma (F) 3 IB higher-level exams (if a student is not an IB Diploma candidate). Students who choose to submit three SAT Subject Test, AP, or IB scores must submit one in literature or the humanities, one in math or science, and one of the student's choice. Some programs have additional requirements.] |
* = Temporary policy changes.
Colleges Using SAT Subject Tests in the 2020–2021 Admission Process
The table above can be sorted alphabetically or by policy. You will find the college name linked to that school’s standardized testing policy. Keep in mind that a one-word category cannot encompass all situations, which is why the detail is provided. For example, some schools consider Subject Tests for most students but require them for specialized programs. Below, you can expand each policy summary to read a more detailed description.
REQUIRED
Colleges listed as Required have Subject Test policies that require at least a large portion of students to submit scores. In most cases, this means 2 Subject Tests in different subjects. Almost half of the colleges in this group actually allow for the ACT to substitute for both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. We have left these colleges labeled Required, since SAT submitters will need to take Subject Tests. An applicant should always ask whether an ACT or the SAT Combo Pack better reflects his or her capabilities (and should keep the qualifications of other applicants firmly in mind). Needless to say, an applicant should be making these decisions with input from parents, counselors, and test experts.
RECOMMENDED
Colleges listed as Recommended range from those schools who find it useful for students to submit SAT Subject Test scores to those who fall just short of Required (Georgetown, Princeton, and Yale come to mind).
CONSIDERED
Colleges listed as Considered are those who view Subject Tests as optional “supplemental information.” We only list colleges that specifically mention Subject Tests (or SAT IIs as many admission sites still refer to them). Even in this group, Subject Test scores can be important. Stanford, for example, considers the exams optional, but Subject Tests are an important way in which students can make their testing portfolios stand out at one of the most selective universities in the country.
ALTERNATIVE
Colleges listed as Alternative are the small but growing number of schools that allow an applicant to submit Subject Test scores in lieu of SAT and ACT scores.
Trending Flexible
Each year, the requirements and recommendations around SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs for the many still using the old College Board name) grow more diverse. Colleges may find Subject Tests helpful, but they are not always in agreement about how the exams are helpful. The general trend is toward more flexible requirements, and no school has recently tightened requirements. Still, the most competitive colleges in the country tend to be found on this list and skew toward the “required” end of the spectrum.
Safer, Saner, and Sooner
Many colleges, in the words of Carleton College, feel that SAT Subject Tests “usually enhance a candidate’s credentials.” It’s the “usually” part that can make parents and students queasy. At Compass, we spend a lot of time discussing such fears. Practice tests are easy to take, score, and analyze—Compass offers free Subject Test exams almost every weekend of the year. Proctored practice tests are a safer, saner, and sooner alternative to waiting for an exam date to roll around and taking Subject Tests cold.
Homeschooled and International Students
Homeschooled students and international applicants should not depend upon this list. The requirements for both groups can be considerably more rigorous. Colleges prefer more data points to better understand these applicants’ academic strengths. Homeschoolers should spend the extra time searching out the testing policies of every college to which they might apply.
Updates for the class of 2020
- Cornell University has dropped its Subject Test requirements. The university now requires only the SAT or ACT. If submitted, Subject Test scores will still be considered, but they are no longer required by any program at Cornell. The school of engineering lists Subject Tests as “optional,” while all other schools and colleges list them as simply “not required.” Note that while Cornell participates in College Board’s Score Choice program, students who choose to submit the ACT must submit ALL scores.
- Georgetown’s Subject Test policy now includes Advanced Placement (AP) test scores. Georgetown still strongly recommends, but does not require, three SAT Subject Test scores, and will accept AP scores in lieu of Subject Tests.
- The University of Delaware has softened its policy from recommended to considered. Note that the university is also test optional for Delaware residents.
- Lafayette College has softened its policy from recommended to considered. Some departments may use Subject Tests for placement.
- Colby College and the University of Rochester are now test optional.
Updates for the class of 2019
- Carnegie Mellon University now recommends, rather than requires, Subject Tests. Recommendations for specific programs can be found on the university’s website. Note that the recommendation is still strong for most students: “Some students may find the cost of taking and submitting SAT Subject Tests to be prohibitive. Applicants won’t be penalized if the cost of taking the SAT Subject Tests causes financial hardship and as a result, prohibits their submission.”
- Tufts has dropped its Subject Test requirements. The university now requires only SAT or ACT. “We do not require SAT Subject Tests, the SAT Essay, or the writing section of the ACT; you may submit those scores to Tufts if you choose to sit for these sections, but please note that they are not required and sending them will not increase a student’s likelihood of admission.”
- Harvard University now recommends two Subject Tests except in cases of financial hardship: “While we recommend that you submit two SAT Subject Tests, you may apply without them if the cost of the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them…The decision whether to take Subject Tests is entirely up to you. You should ask yourself whether other academic credentials including, but not limited to, AP results, IB marks, A Levels grades, etc., adequately represent your suitability for studying at Harvard. If there is any doubt, you should take two Subject Tests.”
Updates for the class of 2018
- Stanford has softened its policy from recommended to considered.
- Brown University requires the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing. They recommend, but do not require, the submission of two SAT Subject Tests of the student’s choice.
- Washington and Lee no longer requires Subject Tests.
- Mills College is now test optional.
Updates for the class of 2017
- Amherst College, Barnard College, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Haverford College, and Vassar College no longer require SAT Subject Tests, but Subject Tests will be considered if submitted.
- Williams College has dropped SAT Subject Tests; University of Virginia has dropped Subject Tests from recommended to considered; George Washington University is now test optional.
- Many of the schools listed below have dropped the Writing requirement for applicants submitting ACT scores, while some have added the SAT Essay as a requirement for applicants submitting SAT scores. [See our list of SAT Essay and ACT Writing requirements for updates and details.]
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