Which colleges are requiring SAT/ACT scores again for 2025-2026?
Harvard, Stanford, Brown, Cornell, UPenn, Dartmouth, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Ohio State, and Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science now require test scores. Six of the eight Ivies required scores for 2025-2026, with Columbia and Princeton the test-optional holdouts (both have since announced reinstatements). However, 80%+ of US four-year institutions remain test-optional, so the policy depends heavily on where your child applies. Solyo.ai helps families track each school's testing requirements alongside application deadlines and GPA targets.
This page covers the 2025-2026 application cycle, which has closed. Applying in fall 2026? See which colleges require SAT/ACT scores for 2026-2027.
Understanding Which Colleges Require Test Scores
Harvard, Stanford, Brown, Cornell, UPenn, Dartmouth, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Ohio State, and Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science now require test scores. Six of the eight Ivies required scores for 2025-2026, with Columbia and Princeton the test-optional holdouts (both have since announced reinstatements). However, 80%+ of US four-year institutions remain test-optional, so the policy depends heavily on where your child applies. Solyo.ai helps families track each school's testing requirements alongside application deadlines and GPA targets. The shift back to test-required policies accelerated in 2024, with several high-profile universities reversing pandemic-era flexibility after internal research suggested standardized tests remained strong predictors of college readiness.
Princeton has announced it will reinstate its test requirement beginning with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, signaling that this trend may continue. Each university sets its own policy independently, and requirements can change from year to year. Families should check each school's admissions page directly rather than relying on third-party lists, which can quickly become outdated. The landscape is genuinely split: elite institutions are moving back toward requiring scores, while the vast majority of colleges continue to welcome applications without them.
It is also worth noting that "requiring" scores does not always mean the same thing at every school. Some institutions require scores for all applicants, while others require them only for certain programs, like Carnegie Mellon's computer science school. Understanding these nuances is critical when building a college list and planning your family's testing timeline.
Why This Matters
This is one of the most common questions parents ask about admissions changes and updates. Understanding this topic helps families make informed decisions about their child's academic journey and stay ahead of potential challenges before they become problems. If your child is targeting any of the schools that have reinstated testing requirements, they need adequate time to prepare for and take the SAT or ACT, ideally starting in sophomore or junior year.
Six of the eight Ivy League schools required SAT or ACT scores for 2025-2026, but over 80% of US four-year colleges remained test-optional. Always verify each school's current policy directly on their admissions page.
How Solyo Helps
Solyo.ai is designed to make this process easier for parents. By automatically syncing with school systems and processing school emails, Solyo eliminates the manual work involved in tracking academic progress. Create a free account to get started in under 2 minutes.
Stay proactive rather than reactive. Setting up automated grade tracking and school email processing through Solyo.ai ensures you're always informed about your child's academic progress without the manual effort.
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