SAT and ACT Scores
Where Scores Fit
To gain a sense of each applicant’s academic accomplishments and potential, the admissions committee evaluates four elements of the application:
- Course selection and the rigor of courses selected by the student.
- Grades since the student’s first year of high school (includes Grade 9).
- Level of academic competition in the secondary school setting.
- Standardized test scores.
Standardized tests are only one piece of the puzzle. Standardized testing cut-offs do not exist. To further alleviate test anxiety, the admissions committee looks only at the highest scores achieved on all tests taken.
Standardized Test Requirements
| Applying to: | SAT and ACT Testing Options: |
|---|---|
| School of Arts and Sciences (contemplating a major in the Sciences or Mathematics) |
OPTION 1: SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests. We recommend the submission of Math Level I or II and a science test. (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) OPTION 2: ACT with the Writing Section. (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) |
| School of Arts and Sciences (contemplating a major is the Social Sciences, Humanities, Fine Arts, or Undecided) |
OPTION 1: SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests of your choice. (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) OPTION 2: ACT with the Writing Section. (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) |
| School of Engineering | OPTION 1: SAT Reasoning Test and two SAT Subject Tests: one Math exam (Math Level I or II) and one science exam (either Physics or Chemistry). (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) OPTION 2: ACT with the Writing Section. (When taken multiple times, we will use your highest sub-score for each section.) |
The SAT and “Score Choice”
The College Board allows each student to submit or withhold selected SAT question scores to colleges. It is Tufts’ longstanding admissions policy to use a student’s highest score for each section of the SAT (Critical Reasoning, Math and Writing) regardless of the test date. Accordingly, Tufts asks applicants to submit all SAT testing from all test dates. The university will continue to use the highest combination of SAT section score (from one or multiple test dates) in rendering each admission decision.
Our goal is to keep the admission process as straightforward as possible. Because our database already selects the highest sectional score for inclusion in the application file, “score choice” for Tufts is redundant.