Is Caltech Test Optional?
Is Caltech test optional? The undergraduate Admissions Office of Caltech has announced that it will no longer require applicants to submit their scores from SAT subject tests as part of the process for undergraduate admissions. This means Caltech will not be test optional. This modification will take effect for those students who submitted their applications to Caltech for the class that started in the fall of 2021.
Students applying to Caltech were required to take and submit scores from the SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2, as well as one SAT science subject test in either ecological biology, molecular biology, chemistry, or physics. In addition, students were required to submit scores from one SAT science subject test.
In addition, the SAT and ACT score requirements, as well as the consideration of those scores, have been placed under a moratorium at Caltech for the next two years as part of the university’s undergraduate admissions process. This change was made in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on access to these exams for students across the country and the globe. The decision will be in effect for all first-year students applying to Caltech for the academic years beginning in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022.
The Undergraduate Admissions Office at Caltech has updated its first-year admissions requirements to emphasize the increased attention paid to curriculum and academic preparedness rather than test results.
Whether Caltech is test optional or not, this change was made in response to the fact that test scores are no longer a factor in the admissions process. During the moratorium period of two years, evaluations of applications will continue to include a comprehensive assessment of academic preparedness beginning with secondary school and continuing through enrollment.
Caltech has not only temporarily suspended the requirement that applicants take the SAT or ACT, but it has also updated the testing requirements that apply to applicants from other countries. These students will now have the option to fulfill the English proficiency requirement by either taking the TOEFL or the Duolingo English Test. Both of these options are available to them.
In addition, aside from Caltech not being test optional or not requiring test results, applicants will not be required to make a financial contribution for the submission of any exam results until after they decide to enroll in a degree program at Caltech.
What are the Admission Requirements for Caltech?
The California Institute of Technology is a private institution of Higher Education. It is referred to as Caltech or CIT and is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. The world knows it for its strength in Science and Technology. In addition, it offers high-quality academic programs across different fields at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.
Suppose you want to receive the admission offer from Caltech, aside from Caltech not being test optional or requiring any test results. In that case, you must be aware of various parameters like – Caltech’s other requirements which are crucial factors for Caltech admissions.
California Institute of Technology Average GPA
Although there is no minimum GPA that will guarantee admission to Caltech, most students should strive to maintain a GPA that aligns with the Caltech average GPA. The Caltech average GPA ranges from 3.9 – 4.19, meaning that most students have around a 4.0 GPA.
Caltech will evaluate the GPA you earned by the end of your junior year. This means you should strive for high grades throughout high school, starting with choosing the right courses. Be sure to take advantage of all the resources available to you. This will give you a better chance of meeting the Caltech average GPA.
A college will evaluate your academic performance and consistency based on your grade point average (GPA). It says a lot about how persistent you are as a person and how well you will be able to take on academic challenges if you can do so. A high grade point average can prevent your college application from being turned down immediately.
Candidates who have strong academic credentials are specifically sought after by several prestigious educational institutions, including Caltech. It serves as evidence that you can meet the challenges presented by the course material, which is a testament to your academic prowess. As a result, it is rational to direct your attention toward raising your grade point average. You should at the very least make it a goal to satisfy the requirements of an average college.
Caltech SAT Scores
If you are considering applying to Caltech, you are likely prepared to put in much effort when studying for the SAT or ACT. However, if you haven’t seen the average scores yet, you might want to hang on to your seats… The SAT scores of Caltech students are practically perfect.
| Math | 790-800 |
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 740-760 |
What does this tell us about people’s scores on the SAT at Caltech? To begin, admissions officers at Caltech place a marginally greater emphasis on demonstrated proficiency in mathematics than evidence-based reading and writing. But in all honesty, there is barely anymore.
Seventy-five percent of students who attend Caltech earn SAT math scores of 790 or higher, and the same percentage of students earn scores of 740 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section. In either scenario, we are still dealing with scores in the stratosphere.
Is it worthwhile to retake the SAT if your scores don’t fall within the range of those accepted by Caltech on the SAT? The answer is “almost certainly” if Caltech is your top-choice institution of higher education. This is especially important to remember if your Math score is lower than 790. However, you should shoot for scores in the upper 700s across the board in both exam parts.
Achieving these kinds of scores requires a significant amount of preparation. You should make sure that you are using the best materials you can find and devote the necessary time to evaluate how well your study plan is working continually. Most students discover that they will get their best scores on the SAT by taking the exam multiple times.
Caltech ACT Scores
Are you starting to recover from the jolt that the SAT scores for Caltech gave you? Caltech’s ACT scores are just as competitive as other schools, so don’t worry about it.
| SECTION | 25TH PERCENTILE | 75TH PERCENTILE |
| English | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 35 | 36 |
As is the case with Caltech’s SAT scores, the institution’s ACT scores are located at the very pinnacle of the scoring range. 75 percent of students who applied to Caltech received scores of 35 or 36 on the English and Mathematics portions of the ACT. To restate, what we’re looking at here is a scenario in which you want to achieve a score that comes as close to perfect as you possibly can.
This will almost certainly require the students to retake the examinations in conjunction with an intensive study strategy. If you don’t achieve a perfect score at first, try not to be too hard on yourself because very few people ever do! However, with sufficient time and effort, you may still achieve a score within the range of acceptable ACT scores for admission to Caltech.
What are the Admission Requirements for Caltech?
The following is a list of the materials necessary for an application to be considered complete for first-year admission to Caltech in the fall of 2022. If an application lacked even a single one of these components, it was regarded as being insufficient.
The Common Application or the Coalition Application, along with the Essays Required for Supplemental Applications
The Common Application and the Coalition Application are both acceptable to Caltech; the university does not have a preference. We strongly suggest you complete the application process on the most suitable platform. In addition to this, Caltech is a QuestBridge Partner. Through the QuestBridge National College Match, prospective students can submit their applications to Caltech.
Application fee of $75 or fee waivers available
If the fee of $75 causes you or your family financial difficulty, you may submit a request to have the fee waived by following any one of the following procedures:
Results of standardized examinations
The requirement and consideration of SAT and/or ACT scores as part of the undergraduate admissions process at Caltech will be put on hold for a period of two years beginning in June 2020. In addition, the initial moratorium of two years was extended for an additional year as of July 2021, making the total length of the moratorium three years.
This change, which was made in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on access to these exams for students across the country and the globe, will be in effect for all first-year students applying to Caltech for the fall of 2021, fall 2022, and fall 2023. The reason for this change was the global COVID-19 pandemic and its continuing impact on access to these exams for students across the country and the globe.
Still, whether Caltech is test optional or not, this change was made in response to the fact that test scores are no longer a factor in the admissions process. During the moratorium period of two years, evaluations of applications will continue to include a comprehensive assessment of academic preparedness beginning with secondary school and continuing through enrollment.
Assessments of teaching performance
Caltech required applicants for the fall 2022 semester to submit two letters of recommendation from instructors:
One evaluation of a teacher of mathematics or science
One evaluation of a teacher in the social sciences or the humanities
Caltech would accept recommendation letters written by teachers who had instructed you during any year of your high school career. It is recommended by Caltech that you speak with teachers who are in a position to comment on your performance as a student in their classroom.
We ask that you submit evaluations from teachers who have evaluated your writing to satisfy the requirement for a humanities or social science teacher evaluation. These teachers must have evaluated your writing.
In the past, students have satisfied this requirement by following the recommendations of their teachers in the following classes: English, a foreign language, philosophy, religion, history, economics, government, psychology, sociology, and anthropology are the subjects that are required for this major.
In addition to the two evaluations from teachers that are required, you have the option of submitting up to two evaluations from a mentor or supervisor who knows you from a different setting. These evaluations are optional.
You have the option of sending this letter to the admissions office of Caltech via the Common Application or the Coalition Application, or you can send it directly to them via email. Also, please be aware that Caltech will not accept any letters sent by the student or applicant.
Report from the Secondary School
This document will be sent to Caltech by the college counselor at the high school you attended. It gives the Admissions Committee background information about your school, which assists them in conducting an all-encompassing review of your application.
Academic transcripts
Extra requirements that must be met by applicants who are citizens of other countries
Results of the English Proficient Examination
Required for all international students unless your mother tongue is English or your secondary school primarily teaches in English. If either of these apply to you, then you can skip this requirement. The following are examples of valid English proficiency exams:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (IBT)
- IELTS
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
Declaration of Intent Regarding International Financial Assistance
When an international citizen applies for freshman admission to Caltech, they are prompted with questions on the application to confirm that they understand its financial aid policy and, as a result, confirm that they intend to apply for financial aid from Caltech.
Because the total amount of financial aid funds available to international students is limited, and because Caltech remains committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all admitted students, the university considers the level of financial need that international students have.
When is the Application Deadline for UPenn?
What is the current Caltech Application Deadline for 2022? Early Action and Regular Decision are the two application tracks available to prospective students interested in attending Caltech. The following provisional application deadlines have been established:
| Early Action | Regular Decision | |
| Apply by | November 1 | January 3 |
| Admission Notification | Mid-December | Mid-March |
If you need help putting the finishing touches on your early applications or want some advice on whether or not applying Early Decision or an Early Action is a good option for you, at AdmissionSight, we have over 10 years of experience guiding students through the competitive admissions process, including our athletic recruitment program.
AdmissionSight can help you put your best foot forward when applying to college this fall. Contact us today for more information on our services.
