U.S. university SAT/ACT policies continue to evolve.
In recent years, Test-Optional policies became a common practice among many U.S. universities. However, over the past two years, an increasing number of institutions have begun reassessing the role of standardized tests in undergraduate admissions, with several prestigious universities announcing the reinstatement of SAT/ACT requirements.
This week, the University of Notre Dame officially joined this trend, announcing that SAT/ACT requirements will be reinstated starting from the 2027–2028 application cycle.
Source: ND
Prior to this, Columbia University and Vanderbilt University had also announced related policy adjustments.
Vanderbilt University announced that it will maintain its Test-Optional policy for fall 2027 and 2028 admission applications, but starting from fall 2029, SAT/ACT scores will be mandatory for both first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants.
Source: Vanderbilt
Columbia University announced that starting from the 2027–2028 application cycle, all first-year and transfer undergraduate applicants must submit SAT or ACT scores. This makes Columbia the last Ivy League institution to reinstate standardized test score requirements.
Source: Columbia
At the same time, Claremont McKenna College (CMC), one of the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S., has also updated its standardized testing policy: Starting with Fall 2028 applicants, all undergraduate candidates are required to submit SAT/ACT scores.
Source: CMC
From Ivy League schools to top-tier national universities, and now highly ranked liberal arts colleges, an increasing number of institutions are once again emphasizing the value of standardized test scores in the admissions process.
As these policies gradually take effect, the Fall 2027 application cycle will mark the final season for many U.S. universities that still maintain a Test-Optional policy.
Summary of Standardized Testing Requirements for U.S. Universities – Fall 2027
To date, several universities have already updated their standardized testing requirements for Fall 2027 undergraduate applications:
Mandatory Submission of Standardized Test Scores
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
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Cornell University
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Johns Hopkins University
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Yale University
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Carnegie Mellon University - School of Computer Science
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Dartmouth College
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Stanford University
As well as:
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Georgia Institute of Technology
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University of Georgia
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Harvard University
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University of Pennsylvania
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Brown University
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Georgetown University
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University of Florida
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University of Texas at Austin
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Purdue University, etc.
Standardized Test Score Submission Policies
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Princeton University (Mandatory requirement reinstated for Fall 2028)
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Duke University
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Rice University
As well as:
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University of Chicago
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Washington University in St. Louis
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Submission required if GPA is below 2.8)
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University of Southern California
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University of Wisconsin–Madison
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New York University
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, etc.
Standardized Test Scores No Longer Considered
The University of California system currently continues to adopt a Test-blind policy, no longer including SAT or ACT standardized test scores in the application review process.
Source: UC Official Website
However, even the UC system, which has implemented a Test-Free policy for several years, officially launched a re-evaluation of the role of standardized testing in undergraduate admissions this year.
Currently, the UC system has not yet decided whether to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements. The Fall 2027 cycle will continue to follow the existing policy, while any changes for the Fall 2028 cycle and beyond remain subject to future review results.
Source: Daily Bruin
Behind this shift lies growing concern among UC faculty about the weak mathematical foundations of incoming freshmen. They are calling for the reinstatement of SAT/ACT requirements for STEM applicants, to be used as a key reference in admissions evaluations.
The New York Times has previously discussed the fairness of standardized testing, noting that Yale’s admissions office believes SAT/ACT scores are less influenced by socioeconomic background than essays and recommendation letters, while questioning the effectiveness of application essays as fair metrics.
Source: NYTimes
As more top universities re-emphasize the importance of standardized test scores, “To Test or Not to Test” may no longer be a simple choice.
Why Universities Are Reinstating Mandatory Standardized Testing
Why are US universities eager to reinstate mandatory SAT/ACT requirements? The underlying reasons have actually been evident for some time.
GPA Inflation Intensifies, Making Standardized Tests Important Again
In recent years, high school GPAs in the US have continued to rise, but students’ academic readiness has not improved correspondingly. Data shows that the average high school math GPA increased from 3.02 in 2010 to 3.32 in 2022. This GPA inflation phenomenon is becoming increasingly pronounced, causing transcripts to lose their discriminatory power.
When transcripts become less effective at reflecting true differences between students, the value of SAT/ACT scores rises accordingly.
Source: The College Investor
Standardized Test Scores Enhance the Effectiveness of the Admissions Process
Education experts suggest that reinstating SAT/ACT standardized tests helps improve the efficiency of the admissions process and, to a certain extent, ensures fairness and transparency.
Although some argue that students from high-income families typically have more resources for test preparation, materials such as recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, and personal statements are more susceptible to subjective bias.
Including standardized test scores in admission evaluations helps admissions officers identify applicants with potential from disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, students from regions with limited educational resources or minority groups can gain more opportunities by achieving excellent scores on exams like the SAT.
Source: Skeptic
The Number of Applicants Taking Standardized Tests Remains High
Despite the growing number of universities adopting Test-Optional policies in recent years, the SAT remains popular among many students. According to data from the College Board, approximately 62% of New York State's graduating class of 2025 took the SAT.
Source: College Board
Common App data shows that the number of applications submitting SAT/ACT scores increased by approximately 10% compared to the previous application cycle, while the number of applicants who did not submit scores declined. Even in the Test-Optional era, standardized test scores remain an important way for many applicants to proactively demonstrate their academic strength.
Source: NPR
Some people complain loudly about standardized tests all day long, claiming they are unfair, yet still quietly compete and achieve high scores behind the scenes. According to recent admissions data from incoming freshmen classes, at schools with test-optional policies, a higher proportion of admitted students still had SAT/ACT scores. The so-called "ignore standardized tests" policy seems to be nothing more than a facade of "political correctness."
Source: Ivywise
According to previous admissions data from USC (University of Southern California), as a test-optional university, the admission rate for applicants who submitted SAT/ACT scores remained higher than for those who did not.
If everyone is submitting standardized scores anyway, why not simply reinstate the mandatory requirement? Not enforcing submission actually affects fair competition. Therefore, it is quite natural and reasonable for universities to now restore mandatory standardized testing requirements.
The return of standardized tests to the center stage of US undergraduate applications means that preparing for the SAT/ACT is not just a choice, but a necessity.
Achieving good standardized test scores means greater flexibility in school selection. When high school profiles are similar, having strong hard skills in the form of high standardized test scores can help you stand out, gain favor with prestigious institutions, and increase your chances of success.
It is widely acknowledged that US undergraduate applications are becoming increasingly difficult. CheersYou (清柚教育) advises new-year applicants not to give up on the opportunity to achieve competitive standardized test scores. At the same time, remember that the application process is complex; beyond standardized tests, every other component is crucial, and you cannot afford to neglect one aspect at the expense of another.
We hope everyone prepares diligently and receives their desired offers during this application season!
For US Undergraduate Applications, Choose CheersYou Education
As more and more US universities readjust their standardized testing policies, the role of SAT/ACT scores in applications is also changing.
For students in different grade levels and with different target schools, whether to prepare for standardized tests, when to achieve scores, and how much effort to invest in exam preparation requires specific judgment based on individual application backgrounds.
If you are preparing for US undergraduate applications and are unsure whether to submit SAT/ACT scores or how to arrange test preparation and school selection, feel free to contact CheersYou Education.
We will combine your target schools, academic background, and application timeline to help you organize a more suitable application strategy.
