Harvard Returning to Required Testing: What You Need to Know

In April 2024, Harvard announced that it would reinstate its standardized testing requirement, beginning with applicants to the Class of 2029. [1] The Harvard standardized testing requirement now applies to every first-year applicant. These new testing requirements come in conjunction with many schools reverting their test-optional application policies and returning to required testing. 

The Harvard Standardized Testing Requirement

Harvard’s testing requirement took effect with applicants to the Class of 2029 and remains in place. [2] Applicants will be required to submit either their SAT or ACT scores with their application. Students who cannot access the SAT or ACT may instead submit AP exam results, IB actual or predicted scores, GCSE or A-Level results, or national leaving exam results.

For students interested in applying to Harvard, the Restrictive Early Action deadline is November 1, and the Regular Decision deadline is January 1. In addition to test scores, applicants submit the Common App with Harvard’s supplement, a Secondary School Report, a Midyear School Report, and two teacher evaluations, followed by a Final School Report and transcript for enrolling students. The complete list of requirements is available on Harvard’s official website. 

The Reason Behind This Decision

Representatives from Harvard have stated that the reason for this reversion of their application policy is because of the importance of standardized testing as a tool for predicting students’ success in their institution. [2] 

Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Hopi Hoekstra stated in Harvard’s announcement, “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 clearly predictive information, is valuable for identifying talent from across the socioeconomic range.”

In their statement, Harvard also acknowledged the bias in standardized tests and how it may affect students of different backgrounds. “Critics correctly note that standardized tests are not an unbiased measure of students’ qualifications, as students from higher-income families often have greater access to test prep and other resources,” said Chetty, the William A. Ackman Professor of Public Economics and director of Opportunity Insights. “But the data reveal that other measures (recommendation letters, extracurriculars, essays) are even more prone to such biases. Considering standardized test scores is likely to make the admissions process at Harvard more meritocratic while increasing socioeconomic diversity.”

Other Schools That Have Reverted Their Test-Optional Policies

Harvard’s decision to revert its test-optional policies comes at a time when many other schools are doing the same. Initially, test-optional applications were widely adopted by US colleges as a reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. Standardized testing became less accessible to a vast number of students, so test-optional policies were enacted so qualified students could still apply to their schools of choice. 

However, as admissions cycles have passed and schools have gathered more data about their application policies, many have concluded that standardized testing is a valuable tool and should be part of their admissions process. In 2024, UT-Austin, Yale, and Dartmouth also reverted their Covid-era testing policies and will once again require their applicants to submit their test scores. 

Yale announced its new policy stating that not requiring test scores from applicants “worked to the disadvantage of applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds.” This was the opposite of Yale’s intended result for test-optional admissions, and thus, they have reverted this policy for the class of 2028 and all future classes. 

UT-Austin also reverted its test-optional application policy, stating in its announcement that test scores were a good indicator of a student’s academic success in their courses and college careers and that students with higher scores correlated to more outstanding achievement at their school. [3] 

Each of the top US schools gathers data and comes to their own decisions about what is best for their applicant, student body, and institute as a whole. But more commonly now, the trend is for schools to revert their Covid-era policies and require standardized testing in the coming seasons. However, there are also well-respected schools that remain test-optional, so check each college’s current policy. 

For more information about Yale and UT-Austin’s new testing policies, see our blogs, “UT Austin Changing Its Application Requirements: What You Need to Know“ and “Yale Returning to Standardized Testing: What You Need to Know.”

How to Plan Your Testing for Harvard

Because Harvard requires scores, build your testing plan backward from your application deadline. Harvard notes that Restrictive Early Action applicants should ideally finish testing by the end of October, although the November test series is acceptable if needed. [2] That means most early applicants should plan a first SAT or ACT attempt in the spring of junior year, leaving the summer and early fall for a retake.

You can self-report your scores in the application. Harvard only requires official score reports from admitted students who decide to enroll. [2] Self-reporting saves you from sending official reports to every college on your list, but report your scores accurately, since any differences will surface when official reports arrive.

Remember that testing is only one piece of the file. Harvard’s application also includes five short-answer supplement responses of up to 150 words each, so leave room in your fall calendar for writing. [2] Our guide to the Harvard supplemental essays walks through each question, and our overview of restrictive early action explains what applying early to Harvard allows and restricts.

What the Testing Requirement Means for Your Application

Harvard reads test scores in context. As the dean’s statement above explains, the admissions committee interprets scores against the local norms of each applicant’s school. In practice, a score that sits well above your school’s typical range can signal readiness even if it falls below Harvard’s middle range, and a score near the top of the national range is not enough on its own.

Use a few principles to make decisions:

• Prepare seriously once. A focused preparation period followed by one or two attempts usually beats taking the test many times with little change in between.
• Pick the test that suits you. Harvard accepts the SAT and the ACT equally, so take a practice test of each and prepare for the one where you perform better.
• Know when an alternative applies. AP, IB, and other exam results substitute for the SAT or ACT only when you cannot access those tests, not as a strategic choice. [2]
• Keep your transcript first. Your grades and the rigor of your courses carry more weight over four years than a single test date.

The requirement applies to international applicants as well. That is why the list of alternatives includes GCSE and A-Level results and national leaving exams: students in school systems where the SAT or ACT is hard to reach can still meet the requirement with the exams they already take. If you study outside the United States, check early whether an SAT or ACT test center is available near you, since limited seat availability is a common reason students fall back on alternatives. When in doubt, contact the admissions office directly rather than guessing which option applies to you.

Which Top Colleges Now Require Test Scores?

Harvard is part of a broader shift among highly selective colleges. Yale requires all first-year and transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. [4] MIT requires the SAT or ACT for first-year and transfer applicants. [5] Stanford also requires ACT or SAT scores after making testing optional for applicants to the Class of 2029. [6]

Policies still vary widely, and some well-regarded colleges remain test-optional. Before you finalize your list, confirm the current policy on each college’s admissions website, and see our summary of standardized testing policies at top U.S. universities. If most of your list requires scores, plan to test regardless of where you apply early.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

To get the most out of your college applications and have the best chance of getting accepted to your top-choice school, InGenius Prep has the knowledge and tools you need. We’re here to guide our students through the admissions process with expertise and insight. With a team of former Admissions Officers from top universities like Yale, Dartmouth, and Harvard, we offer personalized application counseling tailored to each student’s needs. From standardized testing strategies to firsthand tips on getting noticed in applications, our educational experts are ready to provide the support students need to succeed.

Get a clear, honest read on which path actually fits your goals, and the specific next steps to build a competitive application. Click here to book your complimentary consultation.