ACT makes the Science section optional, so whether you need it is decided by each college, not by ACT. There is no official ACT list of schools that require Science, which means the only reliable answer is to check the testing requirements of the specific colleges you care about. The good news: finding out is quick, and we will show you exactly where to look.
Why there is no single answer
Admissions requirements are set school by school, and they shift over time as testing policies evolve. A college might want Science one year and drop the expectation the next, or treat it differently for certain majors. Because of that, any list you find online can go stale fast. Treating each college's own admissions page as the source of truth is the safest habit.
Where to check for each college
For every school on your list, look in these places, in roughly this order:
- The college's admissions or first-year requirements page, which usually spells out testing expectations.
- A standardized testing policy or test requirements page, if the school has one.
- The admissions officedirectly. A short email or call asking "Do you require or recommend the ACT Science section?" gets you a definitive answer.
If a school does not mention Science at all, that usually signals it is not required, but confirming with admissions removes any doubt.
When taking Science is the smart move anyway
Even when it is optional, there are good reasons to take Science:
- You are applying to STEM-heavy programs or majors where a strong Science or STEM score can help your case.
- You are chasing scholarships or honors programs that may consider it.
- You are undecided on colleges and want to keep every door open without retesting later.
- Science is genuinely a strength for you, so it can only add to your profile.
If you are leaning toward taking it, our guide to improving your ACT Science score shows that the section is more about reading charts and experiments than memorizing facts.
When skipping it makes sense
If your target colleges clearly do not want Science, skipping it lets you put all of your energy into the three sections that build your Composite. For the full breakdown of the optional-Science rules, see is the ACT Science section optional now and what changed on the enhanced ACT.
The bottom line
There is no master list, and that is by design, because the decision belongs to each college. Check the official admissions pages for your schools, ask the admissions office when in doubt, and take Science if there is any real chance it helps. A little research now beats a surprise retake later.
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This article offers general ACT prep guidance. The ACT can change from year to year, including its format, scoring, policies, test dates, and fees, so always confirm the latest details on the official ACT website at act.org before you make decisions. ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. thirty-six is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ACT.