In 2025, the classic ACT test was shortened and redesigned. The science test is now optional, and the remaining three subjects (English, reading, math) make up the “enhanced ACT.” All students taking the enhanced ACT will receive a Composite score that includes English, math, and reading. If they decide to take the optional science section, that score is reported separately. That begs several questions: Do schools require students to take the science section, even though ACT has made it optional? If the school superscores the ACT, will the science factor into that superscore?
While we know that the ACT Superscore report says “no” to the second question, we can’t assume that the same is true for all college policies. Ultimately, colleges have the final say on all superscoring decisions. About 75% of schools tracked by Compass currently superscore the ACT.
The table below lists each school’s general admission test policy (whether test scores are required, optional, or not considered) as well as their policy for requiring the ACT science section and any updates to their ACT superscoring policy. If you are wondering why there is so little information, so are we. Students need to make informed decisions about the paper ACT versus the revised digital ACT and about science versus no science testing. Compass will keep you up-to-date as colleges start to address these issues.
We update this list as we hear of policy changes, the most recent update was 3/25/2026. If you hear of additional policy changes not listed here, please let us know in the comments.
| School Name | General Admission Testing Policy | Stance on Science | Includes Science in Superscore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Brown University | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| California Institute of Technology | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Test Required | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Cornell University | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Dartmouth College | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Florida A&M University | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Florida International University | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Florida State University | Test Required | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Gallaudet University | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Georgetown University | Test Required | Required | Yes |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | Test Required | Not Considered | No |
| Georgia Southern University | Test Required | Not Stated | No |
| Georgia State University | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Harvard College | Test Required | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Johns Hopkins University | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| Kennesaw State University | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Mercer University | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| New College of Florida | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Ohio State University—Columbus | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| Princeton University | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| Purdue University—West Lafayette | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Stanford University | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| The Cooper Union | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| United States Air Force Academy | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| United States Military Academy | Test Required | Optional | If Available |
| United States Naval Academy | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Alabama | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Central Florida | Test Required | Optional | No |
| University of Dallas | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Florida | Test Required | Optional | No |
| University of Georgia | Test Required | Optional | No |
| University of Memphis | Test Required | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Miami | Test Required | Optional | No |
| University of Pennsylvania | Test Required | Optional | No |
| University of South Florida | Test Required | Optional | Not Stated |
| University of Tennessee | Test Required | Optional | Calculates Both |
| University of Texas—Austin | Test Required | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Yale University | Test Required | Optional | No |
| Adelphi University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Barnard College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| Baylor University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| Bentley University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Boston University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Required | Yes |
| Brigham Young University—Provo | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Considered | Does not superscore ACT |
| Bucknell University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Claremont McKenna College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| Colgate University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| CUNY—Baruch College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| CUNY—Hunter | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Drexel University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Duke University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Recommended | If Available |
| Emory University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| Grinnell College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Harvey Mudd College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Howard University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Kenyon College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Lafayette College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Lipscomb University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| Miami University—Oxford | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| Michigan Technological University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Middlebury College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Missouri University of Science & Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| New York University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Northeastern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Northwestern University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| Oberlin College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| Pennsylvania State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Considered | No |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Samford University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Santa Clara University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Seton Hall University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Syracuse University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Texas Christian University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Texas Tech University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| The College of New Jersey | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Trinity University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Tufts University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Tulane University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| University of Cincinnati | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Connecticut | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Considered | No |
| University of Kentucky | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| University of Maryland—College Park | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Minnesota—Twin Cities | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Mississippi | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Missouri | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | No |
| University of North Georgia | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | No |
| University of Notre Dame | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| University of Pittsburgh | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | No |
| University of Portland | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Richmond | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| University of South Carolina | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Considered | No |
| University of Southern California | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Texas—Rio Grande Valley | Test Optional (Temporary) | Required | Yes |
| University of Tulsa | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| University of Virginia | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Wisconsin—Madison | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Wyoming | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Vanderbilt University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Villanova University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Not Stated |
| Virginia Military Institute | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Washington and Lee University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | If Available |
| Wayne State University | Test Optional (Temporary) | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wellesley College | Test Optional (Temporary) | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Abilene Christian University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Agnes Scott College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Albion College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Allegheny College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| American University | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Amherst College | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Appalachian State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Arizona State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Augustana College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Austin College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Babson College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Baldwin Wallace University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Ball State | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Bard College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Bates College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Beloit College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Bennington College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Berea College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Berry College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Binghamton University—SUNY | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Biola University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Boston College | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Bowdoin College | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Bradley University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Brandeis University | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Bryn Mawr College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Butler University | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| California Lutheran University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Carleton College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Carroll College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Case Western Reserve University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Central Michigan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Centre College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Chapman University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Christopher Newport University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Clark University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Clarkson University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Clemson University | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Coe College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Colby College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| College of Charleston | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| College of St. Benedict | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| College of the Holy Cross | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| College of William and Mary | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Colorado College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Colorado School of Mines | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Colorado State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Columbia University | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Concordia College—Moorhead | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Connecticut College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Cornell College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Creighton University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Davidson College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Denison University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| DePaul University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| DePauw University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Dickinson College | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Drake University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Drew University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Drury University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Duquesne University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Earlham College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| East Carolina University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Eastern Michigan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Elmhurst College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Elon University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Daytona Beach | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Emerson College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Fairfield University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Fordham University | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Furman University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| George Mason University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| George Washington University | Test Optional | Optional (except for students applying to the BA/MD program) | No |
| Gettysburg College | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Gonzaga University | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Goshen College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Goucher College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hamilton College | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Hampton University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Hanover College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Haverford College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hendrix College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| High Point University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hillsdale College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hofstra University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hollins University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Hope College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Illinois State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Illinois Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Indiana University—Bloomington | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Iowa State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Ithaca College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| James Madison University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| John Brown University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Kalamazoo College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Kansas State University | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Kent State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Knox College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Lake Forest College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Lawrence University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Lehigh University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Loyola Marymount University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Loyola University Chicago | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Loyola University Maryland | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Loyola University New Orleans | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Luther College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Macalester College | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Marist College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Marquette University | Test Optional | Required | Yes |
| Michigan State University | Test Optional | Recommended | Does not superscore ACT |
| Millsaps College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Mississippi State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Missouri State University | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Montclair State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Morehouse College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Mount Holyoke College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Muhlenberg College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| New School | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| North Carolina State University—Raleigh | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Northern Arizona University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Occidental College | Test Optional | Optional | If Available |
| Ohio University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Ohio Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Oklahoma State University | Test Optional | Optional | If Available |
| Oregon State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Pepperdine University | Test Optional | Optional (recommended for nursing applicants) | No |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Pomona College | Test Optional | Required | Yes |
| Portland State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Pratt Institute | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Presbyterian College (SC) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Providence College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Queens University of Charlotte | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Quinnipiac University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Randolph-Macon College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Rhode Island School of Design | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Rhodes College | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Rice University | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Ripon College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Test Optional | Recommended | Not Stated |
| Rollins College | Test Optional | Not Considered | No |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—New Brunswick | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Saint Louis University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Sarah Lawrence College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Scripps College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Seattle University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Sewanee: University of the South | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Siena College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Simmons University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Skidmore College | Test Optional | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Smith College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Soka University of America | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Southern Methodist University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Southwestern University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Spelman College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. John Fisher University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. John's College—Annapolis | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. John's University (NY) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. Lawrence University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. Mary's College (IN) | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| St. Mary's College of California | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. Michael's College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| St. Olaf College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Stetson University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Stony Brook University—SUNY | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| SUNY—Geneseo | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Susquehanna University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Swarthmore College | Test Optional | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Taylor University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Temple University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Texas A&M University—College Station | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| Texas Lutheran University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Texas State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| The Citadel | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| The College of Wooster | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Towson University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Transylvania University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Trinity College (Hartford) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Truman State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Union College (NY) | Test Optional | Optional | If Available |
| University at Albany—SUNY | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University at Buffalo—SUNY | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Akron | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Arizona | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Arkansas—Fayetteville | Test Optional | Optional | If Available |
| University of Chicago | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Colorado—Boulder | Test Optional | Not Considered | No |
| University of Dayton | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Delaware | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Denver | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Houston | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Idaho | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Illinois—Chicago | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Iowa | Test Optional | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Kansas | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of La Verne | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Maine | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Mary Washington | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Massachusetts—Amherst | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Michigan—Ann Arbor | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Montana | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Nebraska—Lincoln | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Nevada—Las Vegas | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of New Hampshire | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of New Mexico | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| University of North Carolina—Charlotte | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of North Carolina—Greensboro | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of North Carolina—Wilmington | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of North Dakota | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of North Texas | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Oklahoma | Test Optional | Optional | If Available |
| University of Oregon | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Puget Sound | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Redlands | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Rhode Island | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Rochester | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of San Francisco | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of South Dakota | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of St. Thomas (MN) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of Texas—Arlington | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Texas—Dallas | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Texas—El Paso | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Texas—San Antonio | Test Optional | Not Stated | Does not superscore ACT |
| University of the Pacific | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Toledo | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Utah | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Vermont | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Washington—Bothell | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| University of Washington—Seattle | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Ursinus College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Utah State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Valparaiso University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Vassar College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wabash College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wake Forest University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Washington College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Test Optional | Optional | No |
| Weber State University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wesleyan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| West Virginia University | Test Optional | Optional | Calculates Both |
| Western Kentucky University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Western Michigan University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Westmont College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wheaton College (IL) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Wheaton College (MA) | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Whitman College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Willamette University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Williams College | Test Optional | Optional | Not Stated |
| Wofford College | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Test Optional | Optional | Does not superscore ACT |
| Xavier University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Yeshiva University | Test Optional | Not Stated | Not Stated |
| Pitzer College | Test Free (Temporary) | N/A | N/A |
| Reed College | Test Free (Temporary) | N/A | N/A |
| Stonehill College | Test Free (Temporary) | N/A | N/A |
| University of San Diego | Test Free (Temporary) | N/A | N/A |
| Boise State | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State Polytechnic University—Pomona | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State Polytechnic University—San Luis Obispo | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Chico | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Fresno | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Fullerton | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Long Beach | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Los Angeles | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Monterey Bay | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Northridge | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—Sacramento | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| California State University—San Bernardino | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Humboldt State University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Lewis & Clark College | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Old Dominion University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| San Diego State University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| San Francisco State University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| San Jose State University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| The Catholic University of America | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of Alaska—Anchorage | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Berkeley | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Davis | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Irvine | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Los Angeles | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Merced | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Riverside | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—San Diego | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Santa Barbara | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| University of California—Santa Cruz | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Washington and Jefferson College | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Washington State University | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
| Whittier College | Test Free | N/A | N/A |
Stanford announced a while back that they will NOT require the science. See https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/first-year/testing.html. Expand the FAQ “Does Stanford superscore test results?” and you’ll see the information. “Starting in Spring 2025, the ACT will phase in a redesigned exam with an optional science section. For Stanford, this section will also become optional. Beginning in the 2025-2026 application cycle, we will accept scores from both the original and redesigned versions of the ACT.” They also express no preference for either version (“original” vs “redesigned”) of the ACT: “We will accept both exams equally and have no preference for one over the other.”
Thank you for sharing, Mike! We have updated the table.
Happy to help. Just curious, how did Compass learn about Harvard’s science optional decision? I can’t find any mention of it on Harvard’s website or anywhere else.
It is buried in a long list of FAQs here: https://college.harvard.edu/resources/faq
“We will continue to accept the ACT regardless of the version a student takes. Consistent with our superscoring policy, we will not superscore across the two versions of the ACT. You should submit the highest composite you receive on a single test. The optional science portion of the new ACT is not required for applying to Harvard.”
Hi, Margaux. Just a heads up, on 3/10/25, I reached out to Penn (U of…not State) to ask about science. They replied, “We will not require the optional Science section.” Feel free to confirm before updating the table, but thought you’d like to know.
Thanks, Mike! This is officially on their site now, so we have updated the table.
Awesome! Found it. And you weren’t lying about that “buried” part! Thanks.
How are you advising students, given this information? If students really want their Superscores to include their Science scores, does this mean they should wrap up testing by July? Thank you so much for always taking the lead on compiling all this data!
Heidi,
The switch has definitely made it confusing for students. Let me try to lay out why I would counsel against changing testing plans just because the ACT Superscore report will be changing. ACT made a good move a few years ago by making it easier for students to report all of the scores relevant to colleges. Otherwise, as you know, students must send each test date separately. But just because ACT calls it a “Superscore Report” does not mean that colleges use ACT’s summary number for superscoring. They don’t (at least not in any large numbers). Colleges get scores in many different ways: self-reports via Common App, individual test date reports, and Superscore Reports, for example. They need systems in place to calculate the highest section scores and create a superscore (or not) based on their own policies. College Board doesn’t even provide superscoring with its reports. Also, students sometimes forget that it’s not just superscores that get delivered with a Superscore Report. The report includes every single section score and every Composite score from every single test date that makes up the ACT Superscore. It also includes a student’s best performance from a single date, based on Composite score. It’s the underlying data fields that provide colleges with what they need, and those fields don’t go away in July. Even the originally earned Composite score is still available! I’m something of a geek when it comes to analyzing the electronic reports that are the lifeblood of admission testing.
Will some colleges follow ACT’s lead and start superscoring without science? Yes, I expect that many will. But I don’t believe that getting done by July will be a useful hack. Colleges will either choose to use science or choose not to. Its presence on a Superscore Report won’t change that. [Again, always some fringe exceptions.]
I’d much rather students take the test dates that fit best with their calendars and preparation schedules. And with site availability!
Let me know if you have a different take.
UT Austin: Is the Science section of the ACT required? Students may submit ACT scores with or without the Science section, and both will be treated equally in our admission process.
https://admissions.utexas.edu/apply/frequently-asked-questions/#:~:text=Is%20the%20Science%20section%20of,equally%20in%20our%20admission%20process.
Thanks, Artemis! We’ve updated the information.
Caltech is officially science optional. “For fall 2026 applicants, Caltech does not require the ACT writing or science subscores.”
https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/standardized-tests
Thank you for this update, Mike! We’ve updated the list.
You’re most welcome. Wash U is also Science optional: “The ACT science section is optional and not required by WashU. If you decide to complete the science section, it will not be used in the ACT Superscore Composite calculation.” admissions.washu.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-us-applicants/
Another great find – thank you again!
Emory is science optional. “ACT Science: Emory University accepts both the Classic ACT and the updated Core ACT (ie ACT with or without Science section). Emory University will continue to consider the highest composite ACT score submitted, regardless of whether it includes the optional Science section.”
https://apply.emory.edu/apply/first-year/tips/standardized-exam-policies.html
Thanks for the information about Emory, Mike! We’ve updated the table.
CMC is science optional. “The optional sections of these respective exams (meaning that when a student registers to take them, they choose whether to include these sections of the exam in their sitting) are: SAT Essay, ACT Writing, and ACT Science. These optional sections of the exam do not need to be submitted in order for us to consider your score results.
https://www.cmc.edu/admission/first-year-application-instructions#collapse-792
Thanks again, Mike! CMC updated.
WashU Science optional:
The ACT science section is optional and not required by WashU. If you decide to complete the science section, it will not be used in the ACT Superscore Composite calculation.
https://admissions.washu.edu/how-to-apply/first-year-us-applicants/
Hi, Margaux. A couple more for you:
GW science optional unless applying to BA/MD program.
“ACT Science section is not required, except for students applying to the B.A./M.D. Program.”
https://undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/test-optional
Washington & Lee is science optional.
“We do not require the Writing or Science sections of the ACT. We will not review any Writing scores, but will review Science scores if submitted.
https://www.wlu.edu/admissions/apply/test-optional-policy
Thank you, Mike!
My son applied to Penn State this weekend and was excited to submit his ACT scores as he had a perfect score on his science, which helped his composite (as we know, Penn State does not super score). They wouldn’t even take his science score. There wasn’t a space for it. And he’s applying to the science school. He was extremely disappointed, and I don’t blame him! Anyway, I wanted to give you the information for Penn State.
Thank you for this info, Amy! This has now been confirmed on the school’s site: “Penn State does not require or accept scores from the optional Science portion of the Enhanced ACT exam.” and updated in our table.
Marquette University appears to require the ACT-Science section: https://www.marquette.edu/apply/application-scores.php
“ACT updates
-Marquette requires that students who choose to submit ACT scores provide results from all sections of the exam, including the Science section.
-If you do not take the ACT Science subsection, you will need to apply test-optional, and ACT scores cannot be considered in your admission review.
-If you do take the ACT Science subsection, you are welcome to submit your ACT results, and your application will be reviewed with your test scores as part of our holistic admission process.”
Thank you for letting us know, Andrew!