Ever since ACT announced the 2025 changes to its test, especially the decision to make the Science section of the exam optional, we’ve been wondering how colleges and universities will respond. Will they accept the new ACT composite score as is (composed solely of English, Mathematics, and Reading) or will they require students to also submit Science section scores? Additionally, will these decisions vary across a university’s different schools and departments? For instance, will pre-med or engineering applicants be required to submit ACT Science scores while the rest of their peers applying to the same university do not?
Two schools, Boston University and University of Pennsylvania, have arrived at different decisions on if students need to submit ACT Science scores. While Boston University is requiring all students to submit ACT Science section scores, the University of Pennsylvania is not. Boston University clarifies that while they are requiring applicants to take the optional ACT Science section, applicants are not required to take the optional Writing section. Both schools will also continue to accept the SAT.
It’s important to remember that while some universities have made public announcements when they’ve changed their application requirements, often these changes are simply amended on their websites without any fanfare. Therefore, if your student knows they want to apply to a certain school, it’s a good idea to continually check out their application requirement page.
Just as Academic Approach has been keeping you up to date on the ever-changing test optional policies of various universities, we will continue to monitor schools for any information about requiring (or not requiring) the ACT Science section and report our findings to you!