The ACT Science section is now optional — and at most colleges, you are free to skip it. But a handful of schools do require it in specific contexts, and getting this wrong can cost you. This guide draws from official admissions pages so you can make an informed decision rather than guess.
What Changed in 2025
For national testing, the enhanced ACT launched for online testers in April 2025 and for paper testers in September 2025. Some state, district, and school-day testing contexts transitioned on different timelines. Your composite score is now the average of English, Math, and Reading only. If you take Science, that score is reported separately on your score report but has no effect on your composite — it cannot raise it, and it cannot lower it.
This is a meaningful change. Under the old ACT, a weak Science score would drag your composite down. Now Science is completely decoupled from your composite, which is determined entirely by your three core sections.
One practical note: if you take Science on a given test date, that score appears on the report from that sitting. You can choose which test dates to send to colleges, but if you send a particular sitting, the Science score from that date is part of that score report.
What ACT Science Actually Tests
Despite its name, the Science section is not a content knowledge test. ACT describes it as measuring interpretation, analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving in biology, chemistry, and earth and space science contexts, rather than simple fact recall. You will be reading data sets, graphs, experimental descriptions, and competing scientific hypotheses. The core skill is analytical reasoning, not memorized science content. Basic science coursework provides helpful background in some cases, but students who read carefully and work through data methodically tend to do reasonably well regardless of how much science they have taken.
If you decide to take Science, our free ACT Science practice drills are a good place to build those analytical reasoning skills before test day.
Schools That Require Science
Among the schools reviewed in this guide, only a small number explicitly require ACT Science when applicants submit ACT scores. Policies at many other schools remain unstated or are still evolving, so this is not an exhaustive list. If any of the schools below are on your list and you are submitting the ACT, Science is not optional for you.
Georgetown University
Georgetown’s admissions page states that it considers the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections of the ACT in its review process. Georgetown also requires official ACT score reports from every test administration and does not use ACT superscore reports — score choice does not apply here. Because Georgetown says it considers all four of those sections and requires official reports from each sitting, applicants submitting ACT scores should include Science. Georgetown is among the few highly selective schools that never went test-optional.
Boston University
BU’s admissions page states that it will only accept ACT scores that include the Science subsection, while the Writing subsection remains optional. BU is test-optional overall, but if you choose to submit ACT scores, they must include Science. BU superscores the ACT.
Pomona College
Pomona is permanently test-optional, but its admissions page is unambiguous: if you choose to submit ACT scores, you are required to take and submit the core ACT plus the Science section. Pomona explains this requirement on its site, noting that Science provides an evaluation dimension for applicants that other parts of the application do not replicate. Pomona superscores ACT section scores across all submitted test dates, including Science.
University of Texas—Rio Grande Valley
UTRGV is test-optional for general admission, but its admissions page specifies that students seeking Tuition Advantage and scholarship consideration must submit ACT or SAT scores, and that Science is required for ACT takers in that context. If you are applying to UTRGV with scholarship eligibility in mind and you are submitting ACT scores, Science is required.
A Note on Service Academies
West Point’s admissions page states explicitly that optional ACT sections such as Science Reasoning and the Writing test are not required. For the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and other service academies, published guidance on the enhanced ACT’s optional Science section is less clear. If a service academy other than West Point is on your list, contact their admissions office directly to confirm current requirements.
Ivy League Schools: Science Is Optional Everywhere
None of the eight Ivy League schools require ACT Science. Several have stated this explicitly on their admissions pages; others have made Science optional by alignment with the enhanced ACT format. Their specific policies on whether Science factors into superscoring vary, and several Ivies are returning to test-required policies after pandemic-era test-optional periods — so make sure you understand each school’s current testing stance regardless of the Science question.
| School | Science Requirement | Science in Superscore | ACT Superscoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Optional | N/A | No — highest single sitting |
| Yale | Optional | Excluded | Yes (EMR only) |
| Princeton | Optional | N/A | No — highest single sitting |
| Columbia | Optional | Calculates both; uses higher | Yes |
| Penn | Optional | Excluded | Yes (EMR only) |
| Brown | Optional | Not stated | Yes |
| Dartmouth | Optional | Excluded | Yes (EMR only) |
| Cornell | Optional | EMR only (via ACT superscore) | Yes (ACT superscore) |
Testing requirement note: Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell currently require standardized testing. Yale has a test-flexible policy — applicants may submit the SAT or ACT, or qualifying AP or IB scores in lieu of those tests. Princeton remains test-optional for fall 2026 and fall 2027 entry, but has announced it will require testing beginning with the 2027–28 admissions cycle (fall 2028 entry). Columbia is permanently test-optional and is currently the only Ivy League school with no testing requirement. Always verify current testing requirements directly with each school.
School-by-School Notes
Harvard has confirmed that the optional science section of the new ACT is not required. Harvard does not superscore the ACT — it evaluates your strongest composite from a single complete test sitting. Harvard also does not superscore across the old and new ACT versions, so you should submit the highest composite from one sitting and avoid combining scores from the two formats.
Yale states that when reporting ACT scores, applicants should include scores from the English, Mathematics, and Reading sections plus a composite, and that Science and Writing sections are optional. Yale also notes that you should not combine ACT sittings that included Science with those that did not when reporting a superscore.
Princeton has confirmed that the science section of the redesigned ACT is optional and accepts both the original four-section ACT and the new three-section ACT equally. Princeton does not superscore the ACT across test dates — it considers your highest composite score from a single complete sitting only.
Columbia addresses this directly on its testing page: neither the optional Writing nor the optional Science section of the ACT is required. Columbia’s official testing page states that when a Science section is submitted, it calculates a superscore composite both with and without Science and uses whichever version is higher. A strong Science score is therefore a genuine free bonus; not having one is not held against you.
Penn states that the Science section is not required for students who choose to submit the ACT. Penn superscores the ACT using English, Math, and Reading only.
Brown has reinstated standardized testing requirements and states that the ACT Science section is optional beginning in spring 2025, in alignment with the changes to the exam. Brown’s specific policy on whether Science factors into the superscore has not been stated publicly.
Dartmouth has confirmed that the ACT Science section is optional and that not submitting this score will not prevent an application from receiving a full review. Dartmouth also confirms that Science and Writing scores are not included in the superscore.
Cornell states on its admissions page that the science section is not required, and that for ACT scores it will consider the ACT-provided superscore along with highest section scores across all test dates. Since the ACT’s own superscore now uses English, Math, and Reading only, Science does not factor into the superscore Cornell receives.
Top Private Universities
| School | Science Requirement | Science in Superscore | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | Optional | Superscores by section | Testing required |
| Stanford | Optional | Accepts ACT superscore report | Test-optional |
| Caltech | Optional | If available | Testing required |
| Duke | Encouraged | If available | Test-optional |
| Northwestern | Optional | EMR only (official ACT superscore) | Test-optional |
| Vanderbilt | Optional | Favorable version used | Test-optional |
| Johns Hopkins | Optional | If available | Testing required |
| Rice | Optional | Not stated | Test-optional |
| WashU | Optional | Excluded | Test-optional |
| Carnegie Mellon | Varies by program | N/A — no ACT superscore | Varies by college |
| Pomona College | Required if submitting ACT | Yes | Test-optional |
School-by-School Notes
MIT is explicit on its admissions page that it does not require the ACT writing or science sections. MIT’s official admissions FAQ confirms it superscores by considering the highest score achieved in each section across all submitted test sittings — applicants should report all official full sittings and MIT will calculate the superscore. Science is optional and not required, but if submitted it would be treated as any other section score.
Stanford has stated that the optional science section is also optional for Stanford beginning in the 2025–26 application cycle. Stanford accepts both the original and redesigned ACT with no preference between them, and allows applicants to report the official ACT superscore in addition to highest section scores.
Caltech has confirmed it does not require the ACT writing or science subscores. One nuance worth noting: Caltech does not use the standard ACT composite in its review — it evaluates section scores individually. If you submit Science, it becomes another subscore Caltech can consider. Caltech superscores by section across all submitted test dates.
Duke is test-optional for the 2026–27 cycle. Its official admissions page states that students taking the ACT are encouraged to include the science section, especially if interested in STEM fields, and that Duke will incorporate the Science score into its review when available. Duke superscores the ACT across test dates. Science is not required, but the official encouragement on Duke’s own page is meaningful if STEM programs are your focus.
Northwestern has confirmed that the Science section is not required. Its superscore policy for the 2025–26 cycle is notably nuanced: Northwestern is not independently calculating its own ACT superscore due to the staggered enhanced-format rollout, and instead asks applicants to submit the official ACT superscore from their MyACT account. That official ACT superscore uses English, Math, and Reading only — so in practice, Science does not factor into what Northwestern receives as a superscore. Students who tested under the old format may have superscores that include Science; students testing under the new format will not.
Vanderbilt is test-optional through fall 2027. Its testing page confirms that Science and Writing sections are not required when submitting test scores. Vanderbilt superscores the ACT. Its stated approach is to use the version of the superscore that is most favorable to the applicant, which means a submitted Science score can only help, not hurt. Verify the current superscore formula directly with Vanderbilt if this is a key school on your list.
Johns Hopkins has reinstated testing requirements beginning with fall 2026 applicants and treats Science as optional. Its admissions page states that the optional Science and Writing sections of the ACT are not required but can add value, particularly if they highlight strengths in areas of interest — and specifically cites a strong ACT Science score as potentially meaningful for a student applying to study biology. JHU superscores by taking the highest section scores across all submitted test dates, which includes Science if submitted. If your Science score reflects your strengths, submitting it may add useful context to your application.
Rice University treats the science section of the ACT as optional.
Washington University in St. Louis is test-optional for fall 2026 applicants and has confirmed that Science is optional and will not be included in the ACT superscore composite calculation.
Carnegie Mellon has a program-specific testing policy. The School of Computer Science requires an SAT or ACT score. The College of Fine Arts is test-optional. All other colleges are test-flexible, meaning applicants must submit some form of test scores but may choose among the SAT, ACT, IB, AP, Cambridge A-Level, or French Baccalaureate. CMU’s official testing page confirms it does not superscore the ACT. Given that Science is not part of any specifically stated CMU requirement and CMU does not superscore the ACT, the Science question is secondary to understanding which testing pathway applies to your program. Check the requirements for the specific CMU college you are applying to.
Pomona College is permanently test-optional, but if you choose to submit ACT scores, Science is required — not optional. Pomona’s admissions page states this clearly and explains that Science provides an assessment dimension for which there is no other equivalent in the application. Pomona superscores section scores across all submitted test dates, including Science.
Major Public Universities
Among the major public universities reviewed for this guide, none require ACT Science for general admission.
| School | Science Requirement | Science in Superscore | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | Not used | Excluded — EMR only | Testing required |
| Florida State | Optional | Calculates both; uses higher | Testing required |
| Penn State | Not used | Excluded | Test-optional |
| UNC Chapel Hill | Optional | Excluded (will review if submitted) | GPA-threshold waiver |
| Ohio State | Optional | Not confirmed | Testing required |
| Michigan | Optional | Not stated | Test-optional |
| UConn | Not used | Excluded | Test-optional |
| UCLA / UC Berkeley | N/A | N/A | Test-blind |
School-by-School Notes
Georgia Tech is explicit on its official admissions page: for the ACT, it considers highest section scores on English, Math, and Reading, and does not use the Science or Writing section. This is stated policy, not an inference.
Florida State University has stated that it will no longer require a Science score and that the ACT composite used for admissions purposes now includes only English, Mathematics, and Reading subsections. FSU does, however, calculate the superscore both with and without Science and uses whichever version is higher — so a strong Science score can only help your FSU superscore, never hurt it.
Florida Bright Futures note: FSU’s admissions policy is separate from Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship calculation. Beginning with the 2025–26 graduating class, ACT Science is optional for Bright Futures. Students who have never taken Science will have their composite calculated using English, Math, and Reading only. Students who have taken Science will have two composites calculated — with and without Science — and the higher result is used. No action is needed to opt out; the favorable version is applied automatically.
Penn State is unusually explicit: it does not require or accept scores from the optional Science portion of the enhanced ACT. Penn State will not use the Science score even if submitted. It uses the highest single-sitting composite and does not superscore.
UNC Chapel Hill calculates its ACT composite and superscore using English, Math, and Reading only. Its official admissions FAQ states directly that if you choose to self-report your Science section, the office will review it, though it is not required. Science is never required and is not part of the superscore calculation. Note that UNC’s testing policy is GPA-based: students with a cumulative weighted GPA of 2.80 or higher receive a testing waiver through fall 2026, while students below that threshold are required to submit scores.
Ohio State reinstated testing requirements for fall 2026 applicants to its Columbus campus. The ACT Science section is not required. Ohio State superscores the ACT, but its official materials do not clearly specify whether Science is incorporated when calculating that superscore. Science is optional and not required for admission.
University of Michigan is test-optional for the 2026 cycle and has not published a Science requirement.
University of Connecticut has stated that the Science and Writing sections are not required or used in its review process.
UCLA, UC Berkeley, and all nine University of California undergraduate campuses are test-blind for admissions — no SAT or ACT scores are considered at all. For any UC applicant, the ACT Science question is entirely beside the point.
How Science Interacts With Superscoring
The details vary enough by school that it is worth understanding the main patterns before registering.
At most schools Science does not factor into the superscore. Penn and Dartmouth explicitly exclude it. Cornell follows the ACT-provided superscore, which uses English, Math, and Reading only. Northwestern is not independently calculating its own ACT superscore for 2025–26 and relies on the official ACT superscore from MyACT, which is also EMR-only. At all of these schools, a Science score neither helps nor hurts your superscore.
A few schools use a best-available approach: they incorporate Science into the superscore only when it helps. Columbia has stated this explicitly on its testing page. Vanderbilt superscores the ACT and uses the most favorable version of the composite. At these schools, a strong Science score is a genuine free bonus with no downside.
Johns Hopkins superscores by taking the highest section scores across all submitted test dates, which includes Science if submitted. At JHU, submitting a strong Science score may add useful context. At Columbia and Vanderbilt, a Science score can only help the superscore.
Harvard and Princeton do not superscore the ACT at all — both evaluate your highest composite from a single complete sitting, regardless of whether Science was included.
Penn State and UConn go further than most: they will not use or accept Science scores even if submitted.
Carnegie Mellon does not superscore the ACT, so the Science-and-superscoring conversation does not apply there.
How to Decide
If Georgetown, Boston University, or Pomona College are on your list and you are submitting ACT scores, take Science — it is required. If you are applying to UTRGV and want scholarship consideration with ACT scores, you also need Science.
For most other students, the decision comes down to your specific college list. If Columbia, Vanderbilt, or Johns Hopkins are targets, taking Science gives you potential upside. If Duke is on your list and you are interested in STEM, Duke’s own admissions page encourages the science section. If every school on your final list treats Science as optional and excludes it from their superscore, you can skip it entirely and put all your preparation time into the three sections that determine your composite everywhere.
A sensible middle-ground: Take Science on your first ACT sitting to preserve flexibility, then skip it on retakes focused on improving your composite. Since Science does not affect your composite and you control which test dates to send, this approach costs very little.
Exception: this strategy does not fit Georgetown. Georgetown requires official ACT reports from every administration and says it considers the English, Math, Reading, and Science sections — so if Georgetown is on your list, you should include Science on every sitting you intend to submit.
If the Science decision is creating stress in your preparation, it is worth knowing that the SAT is accepted everywhere the ACT is accepted at every school discussed in this guide, and the SAT has no equivalent optional section. For a full overview of the test and how scoring works, visit our ACT resource hub.
If you do decide to take ACT Science, the section is learnable and coachable. Our free ACT Science practice drills cover the data interpretation and experimental analysis skills the section tests — working through a few is one of the most efficient ways to gauge whether Science is a realistic score booster for your situation.
The Bottom Line
Georgetown, Boston University, and Pomona College require ACT Science when you submit ACT scores. UTRGV requires it for scholarship and Tuition Advantage consideration. West Point explicitly says optional ACT sections including Science are not required; for other service academies, verify directly with their admissions offices.
Nearly every other school reviewed here treats Science as optional, and several — including Penn State, Georgia Tech, and UConn — do not use it in their admissions review at all, even if submitted.
Policies are still evolving as colleges adapt to the enhanced ACT format. Always verify directly with each school on your list before registering. For general ACT preparation and a complete overview of the test, visit our ACT hub.
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