Drexel University Goes Test-Optional: What You Should Know

During the summer of 2020, when COVID-19 created widespread SAT/ACT test cancellations and disruptions to student learning, Drexel adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants for fall 2021. This was meant to reduce stress and give students the flexibility to work on their applications while allowing Drexel to commit to its holistic admissions review process. This approach incorporates grades, course rigor, essays, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation, which remain central to evaluating applicants — with or without test scores.

For the upcoming cycle, Drexel has made the decision to expand our standardized testing policy to No Harm Test-Optional. What does this mean for the applicant? It means that students can choose whether or not to submit test scores. In this recent shift, strong scores can still boost your application. But even if you submit weak test scores, they will simply be ignored by Admissions — meaning you will not be penalized for them. The No Harm Test-Optional policy is used for all programs except for the BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program, as students for this program must submit an SAT or ACT score. 

To Submit or Not To Submit: How To Decide

Submit Your Scores If...

• They fall within or above Drexel's middle 50% range.
  • For the SAT, the composite score range from the 25th to 75th percentile is 1220–1430. 
  • For the ACT, the composite score range from the 25th to 75th percentile is 27–32.
• You feel your standardized scores add to your academic story and reflect well on your abilities as a student. 

Don't Submit Your Scores If... 

• Your scores are well below average or do not reflect your academic strengths.
• You prefer the rest of your application (GPA, coursework, activities, essay) to speak for itself. 

If your test scores reflect or strengthen your academic profile, submit them — but if they don't, rest assured that Drexel will evaluate you fairly without them.