Northeastern University will allow prospective students for the 2021-22 academic year to apply with or without standardized test results, a move prompted largely by the widespread cancellation of standardized test-taking opportunities this spring and uncertainty about future test dates.

The university’s “test-optional” policy applies to undergraduate and graduate students applying for the 2021-22 academic year. Students applying to programs that traditionally require the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, or MAT will not be required by the university to supply the results of those tests, although they are welcome to submit scores voluntarily.

“Most students are currently unable to access standardized testing, and significant uncertainty exists as to when new test dates may become available,” said Sundar Kumarasamy, vice president for enrollment management at Northeastern. “This means many students will have a limited time for testing and retesting between now and the fall,  especially those students applying for Early Decision I and Early Action, which represent over 55 percent of our applications.”

Under the new policy, students applying for admission can decide for themselves whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application. The new policy does not apply to admissions requirements for the Northeastern University School of Law juris doctor program.

“We are confident that the move to test-optional will result in an applicant pool that still reflects the depth of students’ academic records, contributions to their communities, and full range of experiences,” Kumarasamy said. “It will still allow us to shape a student body that is representative of diverse talents and experiences, as well as a great fit for Northeastern.”

Prospective undergraduate students for the 2021-22 academic year may submit any standardized test scores that they feel would enhance their applications, such as AP and IB exam scores, GCE Advanced Levels, French Baccalauréat, Indian Higher Secondary School Certificate, and SAT subject test scores.

Similarly, prospective graduate students may submit any of their academic credentials, professional experience, research, and scores for the GRE, GMAT, and the Miller Analogies Test.

Prospective undergraduate and graduate students who are not native English speakers will still be required to submit English language exam scores that demonstrate their proficiency in the language, or request a waiver.

This year, Northeastern received a record-breaking 64,450 applications for just 2,800 seats in the fall first year class.

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