Johns Hopkins Standardized Test Requirements: SAT/ACT is required; if SAT Reading and Writing scores are below 690, submitting English proficiency scores is recommended.
JHU undergraduate admissions require the submission of SAT or ACT scores with superscoring; for non-native English speakers, or if the SAT Reading and Writing score is below 690 or the ACT Reading and English scores are both below 30, submitting English proficiency scores is recommended. Competitive scores are 5 on the new TOEFL, 7 in each IELTS section, and 120 on Duolingo.
Johns Hopkins University has a clear first-year admissions policy, requiring applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. This policy applies to all students applying for first-year undergraduate admission, and test scores will be considered as part of a holistic review.
Standardized Test and English Proficiency Requirements
- Required: SAT (Math, Reading, and Writing) or ACT (Math, Reading, and English) scores. The university practices superscoring, extracting the highest section scores from multiple test dates. It is recommended to submit all scores, as the university will automatically use the highest section scores. AP exams and the ACT Science and Writing sections are not required, but submitting them can be helpful if they demonstrate your strengths in areas of interest (ACT Science and Writing are not included in superscoring).
- English Proficiency Scores Recommended: If English is not your native language or you have not attended an English-speaking school for the past three years, it is recommended to submit TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test (DET), or Cambridge English scores. This is especially recommended if your SAT Reading and Writing scores are below 690, or if your ACT Reading and English scores are both below 30.
- Competitive English Proficiency Scores: According to official guidelines, the minimum total TOEFL (iBT) score is 5 (recommended section scores: Reading 5.5, Listening 5.5, Writing 5, Speaking 5); IELTS 7.0 or above in each band; DET total score of 120 or above (recommended section scores: Literacy 125, Conversation 120, Comprehension 135, Production 105); Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 185 or above.
Test Dates and Application Recommendations
- ED (Early Decision): It is recommended to complete standardized testing by October of your senior year or earlier.
- RD (Regular Decision): It is recommended to complete standardized testing by December of your senior year or earlier.
- If you plan to take a later test, you must indicate your intent in your application. Students can self-report scores via the Common Application or Coalition on Scoir; official scores must be submitted after admission and enrollment.
Fall 2027 Application Deadlines: ED I is November 1, 2026; ED II and Regular Decision are both January 2, 2027 (see the "Application Deadlines & Requirements" page on the JHU website). It is recommended to plan your SAT/ACT and English proficiency tests early to ensure you receive your scores before the recommended deadlines.
Source: https://apply.jhu.edu/how-to-apply/application-deadlines-requirements/standardized-testing/. Policies are subject to the latest official updates.