The Return of Standardized Testing: Why More Colleges Are Requiring SAT/ACT Scores Again

The overall trend toward requiring ACT/SAT scores is skyrocketing upward. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of colleges suspended SAT and ACT requirements as testing centers closed and students lost access to exams. 

What began as a temporary measure quickly evolved into a broader movement. Many educators and advocates argued that standardized tests disadvantaged low-income students and failed to capture the full scope of an applicant's abilities. Fast forward to 2026, and the trend is beginning to reverse. Some of the nation's most prestigious universities — including Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell — have announced plans to require test scores once again. 

This raises an important question: If test-optional admissions were supposed to make college admissions fairer, why are so many elite institutions changing course?

The answer isn't as simple as it may seem. 

Research and further investigation may show that, despite previous claims, requiring testing could actually make the application process fairer. This can be a confusing time for students, but we're here to break down which colleges are requiring testing again, why the change is occurring, and what you can do to prepare. 

Which Colleges Are Requiring Test Scores Again?

The list of colleges shifting toward requiring scores again is not small. This is not an isolated list nor does it cover everycollege requiring testing, just the ones that stand out. Be sure to research any colleges you're applying to and ensure you're meeting all application requirements.

Many of the country's most recognizable universities have reinstated testing requirements or moved toward test-required policies. These schools include ( but are not limited to):

●      Harvard University

●      Yale University

●      Dartmouth College

●      Brown University

●      Cornell University

●      Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

●      Georgetown University

●      Stanford University (policy developments worth monitoring)

●      Princeton University

●      University of Pennsylvania

Why the shift?

Scores are important. They're benchmarks of progress as well as readiness for college. Test scores also provide a handhold for students who have less resources - without an essay coach or other resources, testing scores can make students with finite help stand out. 

While it was previously argued that testing fees and access to study materials and even testing locations may limit students, it is now being argued that without these scores, students in areas with less opportunity for extracurriculars or essay coaches will fall behind, anyway. 

Admissions offices are also increasingly arguing that test scores provide valuable information that transcripts alone cannot.

The bottom line boils down to this: standardized tests provide a common benchmark.

Universities such as Yale and Dartmouth have cited internal research suggesting that test scores help predict college success and can improve admissions outcomes, such as:

●      Measuring Academic Readiness

Admissions officers review applicants from thousands of schools across the country and around the world.

Test scores offer a consistent data point that helps colleges evaluate academic preparedness.

●      Students from Under-Resourced Schools

Several institutions now argue that testing can actually help identify talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A student attending a school with:

●      Few AP classes

●      Limited counseling support

●      No private admissions consultants

may still demonstrate exceptional academic ability through strong SAT, ACT, AP, or IB performance.

Without test scores, admissions officers may have fewer objective measures to compare students across all different backgrounds and economic landscapes. 

What does this mean for students?

Students should not panic. While this shift may seem scary and confusing at first, taking the testing process slow and steady will yield positive results.

The return of testing does not mean admissions has become a numbers-only process.

Instead, applicants should:

●      Begin SAT or ACT preparation earlier.

●      Take advantage of free resources from Khan Academy, ACT, and College Board.

●      Continue focusing on grades and course rigor.

●      Use test scores as one component of a larger admissions strategy.

●      Research testing policies carefully since requirements vary by institution.

Most importantly, students should avoid assuming they can rely solely on "test-optional" admissions moving forward.

The shift of requiring testing should also be accompanied by a mindset shift. Instead of seeing these tests as an obstacle, students should see them as an opportunity to stand out in their applications. 

The trend among elite universities suggests that testing is becoming more—not less—important. Begin preparing for SAT and ACT testing sooner, rather than later. Look up testing and study schedules, begin prep, and remember: you've got this.

To view more resources related to stardized testing, please look here: https://theivyinst.org/search?q=standardized+testing