Johns Hopkins University to return to standardized testing requirement as part of holistic admissions process

Johns Hopkins University will resume requiring ACT or SAT scores for undergraduate admissions to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering, starting with applicants seeking entry for the fall 2026 semester. For students applying to enter Hopkins in fall 2025, who may face time constraints preparing for or accessing the SAT or ACT, the submission of test scores will be encouraged but not required.

Hopkins adopted a temporary test-optional policy in 2020 due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including severely limited access to testing. The submission of standardized test scores was made optional for applicants through the entering class of fall 2026.

Over the past year, the university conducted a comprehensive review of the relevant academic research on testing and analyzed the university's three years of test-optional admissions experience and related data. With input from faculty colleagues, the review concluded that test scores, when considered in context as part of a holistic approach to admissions, serve as an important predictive metric to assess the likelihood of a student's academic success at Johns Hopkins. The review also found that the test-optional environment may have discouraged some applicants to Johns Hopkins from less-advantaged or underrepresented backgrounds from submitting test scores that would have provided an additional positive signal of their academic abilities.

Johns Hopkins has long utilized a holistic approach to its admissions process and will continue to do so. This approach is one that examines students' academic character, impact and initiative, and personal contributions through a multifaceted lens that considers the entirety of their high school career. Test scores and GPA are two components of the overall process, and considered in context with multiple other factors, including an applicant's circumstances and environment.

Early-decision applications for JHU's Class of 2029 are due by Nov. 1; regular-decision applications are due by Jan. 2, 2025, with decisions announced in December and March, respectively.

For more information on applying to Johns Hopkins, including application tips and advice on financial aid, visit the university's College Planning Guide.