Harvard University requires much of its applicants if they hope to be successful. Across schools nationwide, standardized testing is a notorious part of the college application process – this article breaks down Harvard-specific ACT requirements and Harvard ACT scores. In addition to this post, check out our other article that discusses Harvard’s SAT expectations!
What is the average ACT score at Harvard?
In keeping with its reputation of academic excellence, Harvard’s average composite ACT score falls around a 34, out of the maximum possible 36 points. This is significantly higher than the national average of about 21. The 25th percentile score for the incoming Class of 2025 was a 33, and the 75th percentile was a composite score of 36. This means that the lowest 25% of scorers achieved a 33 or below, and the highest 25% of scorers had a perfect ACT composite score. These numbers demonstrate the high standards Harvard holds for its students. However, the range also shows that there is no one number that applicants must achieve for admission.
What is the average ACT English score at Harvard?
The ACT composite score is the average of the scores a student achieves on each of the four test sections: English, mathematics, reading, and science. Here, we will break down the Harvard ACT English and Math score statistics.
The average ACT English score at Harvard for the enrolled Class of 2025 was between 35 and 36, with the 25th and 75th percentiles falling at each of those scores. Overall, Harvard students perform very well on the English section of the ACT, with the majority achieving perfect or nearly perfect scores.
What is the average ACT Math score at Harvard?
The average ACT Math score for the Class of 2025 fell between the 25th and 75th percentiles of 32 and 35. Therefore, an ACT Math score of 34 or 35 would place you around the middle 50% of scorers at Harvard. While these scores are a bit lower than the English section scores, they are still quite high. However, as with the other sections, there is no one particular benchmark that applicants must meet. Now, let’s look at the specific Harvard ACT requirements.
What are Harvard’s ACT requirements?
Harvard has recently updated their application requirements to include mandatory standardized testing. In other words, for the upcoming admissions cycle, Harvard is not test-optional. Applicants must submit results from the SAT and/or ACT in order to apply to Harvard. That said, the ACT Writing section is optional for all applicants.
In exceptional circumstances, if a student is unable to sit for the SAT or ACT, then they may submit results from one or more of the following exams:
- AP exam results
- IB Actual or Predicted Scores
- GCSE/A-Level Actual or Predicted Results
- National Leaving Exams Results or Predictions
Harvard allows applicants to self-report their ACT scores on their applications. However, those who are admitted and plan to enroll must to submit official score reports.
More details about Harvard ACT requirements can be found on their Application Requirements webpage.
What percentage of Harvard applicants submit the ACT?
Among admitted applicants, 28% of students submitted ACT scores. An additional 55% of applicants submitted SAT scores, and the remaining 17% omitted SAT or ACT test scores from their application. The SAT remains the most popular standardized test for admitted Harvard applicants, but there is no benefit or advantage to taking one test over the other apart from individual circumstance and preference.
Note that since Harvard has reinstated their standardized testing requirement, future statistics will look different from those described above.
Does Harvard superscore the ACT?
Harvard does not generate superscores for its applicants. Instead, they will evaluate your strongest single ACT sitting. If you choose to send your pre-generated ACT Superscore, Harvard will also receive the full scores for your single strongest sitting. This means that, even if you send the superscore, Harvard will still see and evaluate your highest composite ACT score from a single test day. If you choose to submit ACT scores, each of these values will be considered as a part of your application. More information about superscoring and other testing FAQs can be found under the Applying to Harvard section on Harvard’s FAQ page.
However, Harvard does allow applicants to use the ACT equivalent of the College Board Score Choice option. This means that applicants can select which test dates they want to submit scores from. (Keep in mind that using the ACT Superscore function will reveal the full results from your best single test, regardless.) This is a useful option for students who may want to submit one or two scores they are most proud of, but would prefer to keep others private.
What’s a good ACT score for Harvard?
Harvard does not have set ACT score requirements or cutoffs. They specifically state that they do not “admit by the numbers,” and there is no one score that an applicant must achieve to earn the attention of the admissions committee. Nevertheless, the vast majority of admitted students have highly competitive scores.
The statistics above show that the average Harvard ACT score hovers around a 34, so aiming for a score within a point or two of or that average will set up an applicant for success. The highest 25% of ACT scorers at Harvard achieved a perfect 36 composite score. Thus, a really “good” score at Harvard will inevitably be quite high.
| Section | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| English | 35 | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 32 | 34 | 35 |
Can I get into Harvard with a low ACT?
Getting into Harvard with a low ACT score is not impossible. An ACT score on the lower end of Harvard’s score range will still be quite high: the lowest quarter of Harvard scorers still achieved up to a 33. With this in mind, it would be in the applicant’s best interest to aim for at least the lower quartile score of 33, if not higher.
Even with a score below Harvard’s average, doing well in the application ring is not impossible. Academic and extracurricular achievements play an important role in the judgment of applications, and essays are weighted heavily. A student with a low ACT score who omits to submit their scores and instead uses their Harvard application to highlight extracurricular strengths may fare better than an applicant with a 36 on the ACT but little else to recommend them.
Therefore, while standardized testing can be an important tool in the application process, it is not the only thing a student should focus on. Devoting time and energy to extracurricular projects and interests, as well as classes and schoolwork, is arguably more important in the college application process.
When should I take the ACT for Harvard?
The junior spring of high school preceding college application deadlines is often referred to as an ideal time to take standardized tests for college admissions. The ACT administration recommends taking the exam at least two months before the application deadlines for the colleges you plan to send scores to. Harvard specifically asks that students applying via Restrictive Early Action submit their results for receipt by the end of October. However, the scores from the November series are acceptable, if necessary.
Regular Decision applicants should aim to submit test results as early as possible, ideally before the end of November to facilitate an early start to the application evaluation process. The very last ACT date that Harvard will accept scores from is the February sitting, as specified on their First Year Application Timeline.
What is Harvard’s ACT code?
Harvard’s ACT code for submitting official test scores is 1840.
Harvard now requires applicants to submit ACT or SAT test scores, and the standards for those who do choose to submit scores are still quite high. That said, scores are considered in the applicant’s unique context, and composing a well-rounded application is essential in the college admissions process. If you are considering the SAT instead, be sure to check out our Harvard SAT Breakdown!
