What Colleges Require SAT Subject Tests?

SAT subject tests are not required at the majority of colleges and universities in the United States. However, some colleges do require two or more SAT subject tests for specific programs, and many other colleges recommend SAT Subject Tests.

The list below presents some schools that require SAT Subject Tests for select programs as well as dozens of colleges that used require SAT Subject Tests but now simply recommend the tests. In recent years, more and more colleges and universities have dropped their SAT Subject Test requirements, and the coronoavirus pandemic has accelerated that process. The reality today is that very few college applicants need to take SAT Subject Tests.

There are, of course, many schools that recommend the SAT subject tests or at least consider them, and strong scores can often strengthen an application. This can be particularly true for home-schooled students who don't have class rank or a traditional academic transcript to demonstrate college readiness.

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On the College Board website, you'll find a long list of all the colleges that will consider SAT Subject Tests as part of the admissions process. You'll also find that some colleges have test-flexible admissions policies, and they are happy to consider AP, IB, and SAT Subject Tests instead of the regular SAT and ACT exams.

Be sure to get more information from a college's website. In some cases the ACT with Writing can substitute for the SAT Subject tests, and colleges change their admissions criteria all the time. You may also find that colleges have very different testing requirements for home-schooled students than other applicants.

One other possible benefit of taking SAT Subject Tests is course placement or credit. At Arizona State University, for example, a 560 or higher on the American History SAT Subject Test will fulfill the university's social science competency requirement.

Until recently, all the schools below required or strongly recommended SAT Subject Tests for at least some of their applicants. You'll see that many of those policies have changed. Click on the school's name to get a description, admissions data, costs and financial aid information.

Colleges that Require or Strongly Recommend SAT Subject Tests

• Brown University (no longer recommended beginning with the class of 2025, but will still be considered if submitted)
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (subject test requirement dropped beginning with students entering in 2021)
• Carnegie Mellon University (starting with students entering in 2021, subject test scores will no longer be required, recommended, or considered)
• Cooper Union (math and science SAT Subject Test scores will be considered for engineering applicants)
• Cornell University (scores not required; engineering will not consider scores for the 2020 and 2021 admission cycles)
• Dartmouth College (tests are optional but will be considered if submitted)
• Duke University (tests are not required)
• George Washington University (required for the B.A./M.D. program only; scores will be considered if submitted)
• Harvard University (scores from two tests recommended)
• Harvey Mudd College (no longer required beginning with students entering in 2021)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (starting with the class entering in 2021, MIT will no longer require or consider SAT Subject Tests)
• Notre Dame (Indiana) (home schooled applicants must take three SAT Subject Tests or AP exams; a 700 or higher on a foreign language subject test will earn course credit)
• New York University (NYU) (three SAT Subject Tests fulfill the admissions testing requirement, but SAT, ACT, IB or AP exams can substitute for SAT Subject Tests)
• Princeton University (recommended but not required)
• Rice University (no longer recommended)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (only for accelerated programs in law or medicine; the ACT with writing can substitute for SAT Subject Tests)
• Stevens Institute of Technology (Accelerated Pre-Medicine Program)
• Swarthmore College (encouraged for engineering applicants, especially the Math 2 Subject Test)
• Tufts University (no longer required or considered)
• University of California -- The state system has changed its policy to read, "While SAT subject tests are not required, some campuses recommend that freshman applicants interested in competitive majors take the tests to demonstrate subject proficiency." You can get more information here.
• University of Pennsylvania (recommended)
• Vassar College (scores will be considered, but are not required)
• Washington and Lee University (scores will be considered if submitted; tests recommended for home-schooled applicants)
• Webb Institute (math and science tests recommended but not required)
• Wellesley College (SAT Subject Tests are optional but will be considered)
• Wesleyan University (school is test-optional, but home-schooled students who take the SAT need to submit two ore more SAT Subject Test scores)
• Yale University (recommended, but not considered for students entering in 2021)

The list of colleges and universities requiring and recommending the SAT subject tests is constantly changing, so be sure to check with the schools to which you are applying.

For more SAT Subject Test information, check out these articles on specific exams: Biology | Chemistry | Literature | Math | Physics

One drawback to taking SAT Subject Tests is the cost. Students who take the regular SAT a couple times, several SAT Subject Tests, and then have scores sent to a dozen or so colleges can end up paying several hundred dollars to the College Board. Learn more here: SAT Costs, Fees, and Waivers.