FAQs

Our test optional policy continues to be in place for first-year applicants applying for fall 2026 and fall 2027 entry. We will once again require testing for students applying for fall 2028 entry (2027-28 application cycle).

As always, our review process will be a holistic one, focused not just on an applicant’s academic strengths, but also on the talents and perspectives that they will bring to the Princeton campus. 

No. We do not require Subject Tests. If you chose to sit for a Subject Test (prior to January 2021 for domestic students and prior to June 2021 for international students) and wish to submit the score, you may do so. Please note: The College Board eliminated SAT Subject Tests in January 2021 for domestic students and in June 2021 for international students.

No. There are no cutoffs. We consider all of these measures within the context of each applicant’s school and situation. Our most promising candidates tend to earn strong grades and have comparatively high scores on standardized tests. We also look at other parts of the application, including teacher references and essays, to learn more about what kind of student you are and how you approach learning. Please review our current testing policy. 

For those who choose to submit testing, we allow applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but we encourage the submission of all test scores.  Note: We do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test; you can only utilize score choice if the tests are in the same format. If you are applying Regular Decision, we encourage you to complete standardized testing by the December test date if possible.  Please review our application dates and deadlines.

Yes. Though standardized tests results will not be required for those applying for fall 2026 and fall 207 entry, we still value these results and will evaluate them within the context of our holistic review. However, if you do not submit standardized testing, you will not be at a disadvantage.

We will once again require testing for students applying for fall 2028 entry (2027-28 application cycle).

Princeton will consider the highest individual section results across all sittings of the SAT and the highest composite score for the ACT. We will only accept a composite from an entire sitting of the ACT. We will not consider scores when a student retakes an individual section of the ACT. Additionally, we do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test; you can only utilize score choice if the tests are in the same format.

Applicants are welcome to use the Score Choice option for standardized test score submission. Princeton will consider the highest individual section results across all sittings of the SAT Reasoning and the highest composite score for the ACT*. We encourage applicants to submit all official test scores as soon as they are available.

*We will only accept a composite from an entire sitting of the ACT. We will not consider scores when a student retakes an individual section of the ACT.

If English is not the primary language spoken in your home and you attend a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic), the Duolingo English Test (DET) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).