Is the ACT required for Harvard admissions right now?
I've been looking through Harvard's admissions website and I'm a little confused about their standardized testing policy. I'm currently a junior planning out my application strategy and I want to know if I need to take the ACT for Harvard specifically.
I've seen some places say that submitting ACT or SAT scores is optional, but then I've also heard from older students that some top schools, including Harvard, still kind of expect it. As someone who doesn't feel super confident about standardized tests, it would be a huge relief if I didn't need to submit anything.
Could someone clarify if the ACT is officially required for the upcoming application cycle at Harvard? And if it's truly test-optional, do most applicants still send in their scores anyway?
I've seen some places say that submitting ACT or SAT scores is optional, but then I've also heard from older students that some top schools, including Harvard, still kind of expect it. As someone who doesn't feel super confident about standardized tests, it would be a huge relief if I didn't need to submit anything.
Could someone clarify if the ACT is officially required for the upcoming application cycle at Harvard? And if it's truly test-optional, do most applicants still send in their scores anyway?
4 months ago
•
118 views
Luis Nario-Malberg
• 4 months ago
Advisor
Harvard is currently test-optional for undergraduate admissions, including for the upcoming application cycle (the Class of 2030, applying in Fall 2025). This means submitting ACT or SAT scores is not required. You can apply without sending any standardized test scores, and your application will be given full consideration.
Harvard made this change in response to the challenges of COVID-19, and they have extended their test-optional policy through at least the 2025-2026 admissions cycles. If you choose not to submit ACT or SAT scores, the admissions team will evaluate your application based on the other components, such as your transcript, recommendations, essays, and extracurricular activities.
As for whether applicants still submit scores, it is true that a significant number of Harvard applicants do send scores if they believe them to be strong. According to Harvard's own statistics for recent cycles, more than half of applicants still submitted standardized test results, though it varies from year to year. However, many admitted students in the past few classes did not submit any test scores at all, which shows that students can be accepted without them.
If you feel your ACT scores don't accurately represent your abilities, you are not at a disadvantage for not submitting them. But if you do have a score that is within Harvard's typical range (usually 33–36 for the ACT), submitting it can provide another piece of evidence in your favor. For example, one student who felt their test scores didn't reflect their academic strengths focused instead on sharing their research project in their application, and they were still admitted to a top school.
In summary: the ACT is not required for Harvard right now, and Harvard is truly test-optional. If you aren’t comfortable with standardized tests, you can confidently apply without them. Just make sure the other parts of your application show your talents and achievements.
Harvard made this change in response to the challenges of COVID-19, and they have extended their test-optional policy through at least the 2025-2026 admissions cycles. If you choose not to submit ACT or SAT scores, the admissions team will evaluate your application based on the other components, such as your transcript, recommendations, essays, and extracurricular activities.
As for whether applicants still submit scores, it is true that a significant number of Harvard applicants do send scores if they believe them to be strong. According to Harvard's own statistics for recent cycles, more than half of applicants still submitted standardized test results, though it varies from year to year. However, many admitted students in the past few classes did not submit any test scores at all, which shows that students can be accepted without them.
If you feel your ACT scores don't accurately represent your abilities, you are not at a disadvantage for not submitting them. But if you do have a score that is within Harvard's typical range (usually 33–36 for the ACT), submitting it can provide another piece of evidence in your favor. For example, one student who felt their test scores didn't reflect their academic strengths focused instead on sharing their research project in their application, and they were still admitted to a top school.
In summary: the ACT is not required for Harvard right now, and Harvard is truly test-optional. If you aren’t comfortable with standardized tests, you can confidently apply without them. Just make sure the other parts of your application show your talents and achievements.
Luis Nario-Malberg
Mooresville, North Carolina
Harvard College, Class of 2018, A.B. in Philosophy
Experience
5 years