Standardized Testing

Testing isn't the ultimate factor in evaluating an application. Testing, in conjunction with your secondary school report and recommendations, helps us better understand your academic preparation. We strongly advise students to focus on the many holistic elements of the application that showcase academic excellence and their personal narrative. Dartmouth has practiced holistic admissions review for more than a century, and that ancient ideal of the whole person continues to guide our application review process.

SAT or ACT

Dartmouth College is test optional for applicants to the Class of 2028. If a student has taken standardized testing, we encourage the student to submit scores regardless of how they may compare to scores on historical Dartmouth class profiles.

Dartmouth's Standardized Testing Policy for the Class of 2029: Informed by new research, Dartmouth will reactivate the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admission beginning with applicants to the Class of 2029.

Explore free resources for ACT test prep or SAT test prep.

 

How to Submit

If you submit multiple scores from the SAT or ACT, we will accept superscored testing, i.e. your highest section scores in either test, regardless of the test dates or platform.

You may self-report your scores on your application, and we will consider these scores until we receive your official scores.

The fastest and most direct way to submit official scores is to request the testing agency report your scores to Dartmouth. You are also welcome to ask your school counselor to submit your scores to Dartmouth with your transcript or by emailing them to submit@dartmouth.edu.

Class of 2028 applicants, please note: if you indicated that you wish your scores to be considered in our review of your candidacy for admission, we will require that you submit your official scores before you enroll.

International Students Only: 

If your first language is not English, and your secondary school curriculum has not been delivered in English for at least two years, we require you to submit an English proficiency exam score from the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge C1/C2.

In addition to the English Language Proficiency details above, we will accept online results from the TOEFL and IELTS examinations: TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, IELTS Indicator.

Test Deadlines

Early Decision
Last test date for SAT/Subject Test: November
Last test date for ACT: October

Regular Decision
Last test date for SAT/Subject Test or ACT: December