What schools don't accept the ACT?

Asked by: Prof. Viola Gibson  |  Last update: August 23, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (43 votes)

Top 100 Colleges That Don't Require The SAT/ACT
  • Brown University.
  • Columbia University.
  • Cornell University.
  • Dartmouth College.
  • Harvard University.
  • University of Pennsylvania.
  • Princeton University.
  • Yale University.

Do any schools not take ACT?

Though many four-year colleges and universities in the United States require ACT or SAT scores for admission, these days, many do not. Colleges that don't require ACT scores are known as "test-optional" schools. This means that you do not have to send in any ACT/SAT scores with your application but may if you want to.

Is the ACT accepted by all colleges?

ACT test scores are accepted by all four-year US colleges and universities, including highly selective institutions. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Questions are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses.

Why do colleges no longer require ACT?

Why did colleges go test-optional during COVID? Many colleges were shifting away from requiring ACT or SAT scores long before COVID, arguing in part that exam scores can contribute to inequities in admissions. Given obstacles to taking the tests as the virus spread, the trend accelerated over the last few years.

Is the ACT important anymore?

Even as many colleges temporarily extend their test-optional admissions policies another year, the ACT and SAT still can greatly affect merit-based scholarships and college admissions. Test optional really is only for those excited to pay full price.

Why We Don't Accept SAT/ACT Test Scores • Hampshire College

35 related questions found

Why ACT scores should not be used?

The Case Against Standardized Test Requirements

At the national level, researchers have found evidence that standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT are worse predictors of a student's success in college than other measures, such as high school GPA.

What colleges don't accept ACT and SAT?

Top 100 Colleges That Don't Require The SAT/ACT
  • Brown University.
  • Columbia University.
  • Cornell University.
  • Dartmouth College.
  • Harvard University.
  • University of Pennsylvania.
  • Princeton University.
  • Yale University.

Can you get into Harvard without ACT?

Harvard College will allow students to apply for admission without requiring SAT or ACT scores for the upcoming Harvard College Classes of '27, '28, '29, and '30.

What college requires the lowest ACT score?

United States Colleges Ranked by Lowest ACT Score

Livingstone College tops the list with an average ACT Score of 14. Alternatively, check out the SAT version of these rankings.

Do schools prefer ACT or SAT?

Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions decisions and awarding merit-based scholarships. Most colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is harder than the other. Different students tend to do better on one test over the other.

How many times can you take the ACT?

ACT Inc., which administers the exam, lets you take the test up to 12 times, though it's best to take it no more than 2-3 times. Beyond that, you're unlikely to boost your scores substantially. What's more, multiple retakes might reflect negatively on your college application.

Do colleges care about ACT scores?

Colleges use your SAT/ACT score as an indicator of whether you're ready to attend their school. To show you're academically prepared, you'll need to have a score within the average SAT/ACT score range for admitted students to that school ... or perhaps even higher.

Is it okay to not study for the ACT?

Students may choose not to prepare due to the mindset that these exams are just like any other standardized test. Very rarely, a student earns a good score on the SAT/ACT without preparation. However, it is an unlikely reality for the vast majority of high school students.

Is ACT and SAT no longer required?

Feder said over 80% of institutions granting bachelor's degrees will not require students seeking admission for Fall 2023 to submit an ACT or SAT score.

Should students still take the ACT?

Taking the ACT test can increase your chances of earning new or better scholarships. One counselor found that over 10 years, more of her students earned more scholarship dollars with ACT scores than SAT scores. Learn more about paying for college.

What is the lowest ACT score for Harvard?

The average ACT score of Harvard-accepted students is 33. Although Harvard claims there is no minimum ACT score, if you apply with a 29 or lower, you'll have difficulty getting in. So, to get into Harvard, it is important to note the different Harvard University requirements for test scores.

What ACT score is needed for scholarships?

At a minimum, an ACT score of 25 should qualify you for lower-level scholarship money. However, as the amount increases, scholarships become more competitive and the score ranges increase. Again, the barest minimum to shoot for is the 20-25 score range.

What GPA does Yale require?

GPA Requirements

Yale University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.

Do all Ivy Leagues accept ACT?

Officially, all of the Ivy League schools accept both the ACT and SAT, as does every other school in the US.

Are colleges waiving ACT scores for 2023?

But for now, the short answer is that most colleges are not requiring SAT or ACT test scores for the class of 2023.

What percent of colleges don't require SAT or ACT?

COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS are becoming a thing of the past. More than 80 percent of US colleges and universities do not require applicants to take standardized tests – like the SAT or the ACT.

Should I submit a bad ACT score?

High SAT/ACT scores can boost your admission chances, especially at highly selective schools. Some test-optional colleges require standardized tests to award merit-based aid. Consider withholding your scores if they fall well below your school's middle 50% range.

Is GPA more important than ACT?

When it comes to the GPA and the ACT, students often wonder which one is more important. Although college admissions officers often say that they give much more weight to a student's GPA, even they will admit that your ACT score is of considerable importance.

Why should we get rid of the ACT and SAT?

Both tests are considered by most colleges a valid assessment. However, other sources beg to differ. These dissenting sources would most likely support the view that standardized tests, such as the ACT and SAT, should be abolished because they lack reliability, perfectly consistent administration, and content validity.