Students applying in fall 2026 for enrollment in fall 2027 generally belong to the high school Class of 2027 and college Class of 2031.
Six of eight Ivy League universities require SAT or ACT scores during this admissions cycle.
Current counts identify 21 private colleges and 42 public colleges that require standardized test scores or plan to require them soon.
Policies change frequently, so applicants should confirm every requirement on each college’s official admissions website.
What Applicants Should Do
Applicants should label every prospective college as test-required, test-optional, test-recommended, test-flexible, or test-free.
Entry year needs careful attention because colleges describe admissions cycles differently. Students applying in fall 2026 should confirm that each policy covers fall 2027 enrollment.
Students balancing test preparation with written assignments can also seek academic writing support through Mypaperhelp .
Taking the SAT or ACT is advisable when even one prospective college requires or recommends a score. Testing can also affect scholarships, placement, honors programs, and academic support.
Students applying to test-optional colleges should compare their scores with each institution’s published middle-50% range. Competitive scores may strengthen an application, while lower scores may be better omitted when submission is optional.
Final testing should be completed by October when possible. Many early deadlines fall around November 1, while regular deadlines commonly occur in early January.
Applicants should recheck every policy shortly before applying.
Several colleges changed their testing rules during 2026, and requirements may differ by campus, program, GPA, applicant type, or entry year.
Ivy League Testing Requirements
Six Ivy League universities require SAT or ACT scores:
- Brown University reinstated testing for fall 2025 entry.
- Cornell University requires scores beginning with fall 2026 entry.
- Dartmouth College reinstated testing in February 2024.
- Harvard University reinstated testing in April 2024.
- University of Pennsylvania reinstated testing in early 2025.
- Yale University ended its test-flexible policy on May 27, 2026. AP and IB results can no longer replace the SAT or ACT.
Published middle-50% SAT ranges are:
- Harvard: 1510 to 1580
- Yale: 1500 to 1570
- Dartmouth: 1490 to 1560
- Brown: 1490 to 1560
- Cornell: 1470 to 1550
- Penn: 1500 to 1570
Harvard permits alternatives in exceptional cases when the SAT or ACT is inaccessible. Approved alternatives may include AP, IB, GCSE, A-Level, or national leaving-exam results.
Columbia and Princeton are test-optional for fall 2027 entry. Both will require SAT or ACT scores beginning with the 2027-28 admissions cycle.
Other Selective Private Colleges
Several selective private colleges also require testing:
- California Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores and all available AP or IB results.
- Georgetown University requires scores. Applicants who could not access testing may need to explain why.
- Johns Hopkins University requires scores beginning with fall 2026 entry. Transfer applicants are exempt.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires SAT or ACT scores.
- Stanford University requires scores for students entering in fall 2026 and later.
- University of Miami reinstated testing for fall 2026 applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University applies different policies across its undergraduate schools. School of Computer Science applicants must submit an SAT or ACT score.
Other schools may accept AP, IB, A-Level, or French Baccalaureate results instead.
College of Fine Arts applicants may apply without SAT or ACT scores, but portfolios or auditions are required.
Cooper Union also uses school-specific rules. School of Engineering applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores, while Art and Architecture applicants may apply without them.
Public Universities That Require Testing
Florida’s public university system requires standardized testing and accepts the SAT, ACT, or CLT. Major institutions covered by this requirement include:
- Florida State University
- University of Florida
- University of Central Florida
- Florida International University
- University of South Florida
- Florida Atlantic University
Seven Georgia public universities require scores:
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- University of Georgia
- Georgia State University
- Kennesaw State University
- Georgia Southern University
- Augusta University
- Georgia College & State University
Other prominent public institutions with required or expected testing include:
- Ohio State University
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Purdue University
Purdue’s policy is described inconsistently. Some current listings classify it as test-required, while another calls it test-expected and notes exceptions for students unable to take an exam.
Applicants should confirm Purdue’s fall 2027 policy directly.
UNC System applicants with a weighted GPA of at least 2.50 but below 2.80 must submit SAT or ACT scores for fall 2026 entry and later. Individual campuses may apply additional rules to other applicants.
Certain public universities also connect testing requirements to a student’s GPA, campus, or academic program.
U.S. Service Academies
Five federal service academies generally require standardized testing:
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- U.S. Military Academy
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Some academies accept the CLT. Applicants should confirm permitted examinations, score-reporting procedures, and deadlines with each academy.
Test-Optional and Test-Free Colleges
Several selective universities continue to offer test-optional admission for fall 2027:
- Columbia University is test-optional for one final cycle. Testing becomes required in the 2027-28 cycle.
- Princeton University is test-optional for one final cycle. Testing becomes required in the 2027-28 cycle.
- Duke University is test-optional through the 2026-27 cycle.
- Northwestern University maintains a test-optional policy.
- University of Chicago has been permanently test-optional since 2018.
- Vanderbilt University is test-optional through fall 2027 entry.
- Emory University continues to be test-optional.
- Rice University is test-optional but formally recommends submitting scores.
University of California and California State University campuses are test-free. SAT and ACT scores are not considered during admission, even when submitted. Scores may still be used after admission for course placement.
University of California began reviewing its testing policy in June 2026. No change had been approved as of July 2026.
FAQs
Summary
Testing requirements are most common among Ivy League universities, highly selective private colleges, federal service academies, and public university systems in states such as Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Test-optional and test-free choices are still available, but policy labels require careful attention.
Direct confirmation with each college is the safest way to avoid missed requirements during the 2026-27 admissions cycle.
