Harvard Reconsiders SAT Subject Requirements
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education (“Harvard U. Will Loosen Subject-Test Requirement”), SAT II Subjects will no longer be required for students applying to Harvard’s undergraduate program.
Unlike the SAT I, which runs 4 hours long and covers Critical Reading, Math, and Writing, the SAT II Subject test only takes 1 hour and focuses on a single subject area like Biology, French, or U.S. History.
Harvard U. and other colleges which do not strictly require the SAT Subjects have stated that requirements were made more flexible for students who may experience financial hardship from taking the Subject tests.
For other Harvard hopefuls, make sure to leave some room in your schedule for the Subject tests. Regarding the SAT II Subject requirements, Harvard’s dean of admissions commented, “While we normally require two SAT subject tests…you may apply without them if the cost of taking the tests represents a financial hardship or if you prefer to have your application considered without them.”
For students living with financial hardship, the CollegeBoard offers 2 fee waivers for the SAT II Subjects. A student can take up to 3 Subject tests per test date.
