Harvey Mudd College SAT & ACT Scores

Harvey Mudd stopped requiring the SAT and ACT for fall 2021 entry and has extended its test-optional policy since then. When you apply for fall 2027, the Common Application asks you to choose a preferred testing plan: to be reviewed with ACT or SAT scores, or without them. You can switch only from "do not consider" to "consider," through a form in the HMC Applicant Hub, until five days after your application deadline. Only depositing students who asked for their scores to be considered must send official score reports. Harvey Mudd has no preference between the SAT and ACT, superscores by taking your highest score in each section, does not consider the SAT essay or ACT writing, and does not use test scores for merit scholarships.

The median SAT among enrolled Harvey Mudd first-years who sent scores in the fall 2025 entering class was 1510. A quarter scored 1500 or below, and a quarter scored 1560 or above. The middle half scored 740–770 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 760–800 on Math.

Because Harvey Mudd is test-optional, these ranges describe only enrolled students who chose to send scores. In the fall 2025 entering class, 55% of enrolled students submitted the SAT. Students reviewed without scores are not part of these figures, so the range shows what submitters looked like, not the whole class.

Harvey Mudd says testing is only one piece of data in its holistic review. If your superscore is at or above 1510, it is in line with the middle of enrolled students who sent the SAT. If you are a younger student planning to apply for fall 2028 entry, expect to need a score, since the college plans to require testing for that cycle.

Enrolled Harvey Mudd first-years who sent the ACT had a median composite of 35, and the middle half scored 35–36. The middle half scored 34–36 in English and 34–36 in Math. In the fall 2025 entering class, 21% of enrolled students submitted an ACT score.

Harvey Mudd superscores the ACT by using your highest score in each section, and it does not consider the optional writing section. The college lists a November test date as the latest it can guarantee for Early Decision I, and a December test date for Early Decision II and Regular Decision. A composite of 36 matches the top quarter of enrolled students who sent the ACT.

Harvey Mudd offers Early Decision I, Early Decision II, and Regular Decision. It does not offer Early Action.

If you choose to have scores considered at Harvey Mudd, a practical target is an SAT of 1560 or higher, or an ACT of 36 or higher. Scores near the median of 1510 SAT or 35 ACT are typical for enrolled students who submitted. If your scores fall below 1500 on the SAT or 35 on the ACT, the test-optional plan lets you apply without them for fall 2027.

Harvey Mudd reviews every part of the application, and it says students are much more than their test scores. Choose your testing plan carefully when you apply, because you can add scores later but cannot remove them once you ask for them to be considered. Students applying for fall 2028 entry should plan to take the SAT or ACT.