Ivy League Application Updates for Fall 2025: A Comprehensive Guide to Standardized Testing Policy Changes

发布时间：Date: 2024-03-27 返回新鲜资讯Back to News

The 2025 Fall application season marks a significant shift in Ivy League standardized testing policies. Following Dartmouth and Yale, Brown University has announced the reinstatement of testing requirements starting with the Class of 2029, while the University of Pennsylvania, though maintaining test-optional for the current cycle, reflects a changing trend. This signals that after four years of Test-Optional, the Ivies are once again considering SAT/ACT scores as key indicators of academic potential. The change aims to more accurately assess student ability and reflects a renewed commitment to educational equity and diverse background evaluation. Applicants should closely monitor this shift. CheersYou（清柚教育） has compiled the latest standardized testing policy details for all eight Ivy League schools: Dartmouth and Brown now explicitly require test submission; Yale implements a flexible Test-Flexible policy; while Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, and Penn currently maintain Test-Optional or school-specific exemptions. Facing increasingly divergent requirements, students are advised to strategically plan their test preparation based on their strengths. For specific school selection or exam preparation questions, please contact CheersYou（清柚教育） for one-on-one professional consultation to help you stand out.

Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania recently announced new requirements for the 2025 Fall admissions cycle, mandating that some applicants submit SAT or ACT scores. This marks the return of another major Ivy League institution to standardized testing requirements, following Dartmouth College and Yale University. Admissions teams view standardized test scores as an important measure of academic potential. This policy shift also underscores their commitment to educational equity and diversity, aiming to attract a more diverse student body.

This shift indicates that after four years of Test-Optional policies, the Ivies are re-evaluating and refining their assessment systems. CheersYou（清柚教育） Study Abroad has compiled the Fall 2025 Ivy League standardized testing policies; for specific questions, you can scan the QR code below for a one-on-one consultation.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College announced in February that starting with the Class of 2029 application cycle, it will adopt a test-required policy and accept superscoring, allowing applicants to submit their highest section scores, becoming the first Ivy League school to reinstate standardized testing requirements.

Yale University

Yale University announced that it will implement a flexible test policy (Test-Flexible Policy) starting in fall 2025. Applicants will choose from four options to include scores: ACT/Advanced Placement AP/International Baccalaureate IB/SAT.

Brown University

Brown University announced the reinstatement of standardized testing requirements starting with the Class of 2029 (Fall 2025), becoming the third Ivy League school after Dartmouth College and Yale University to bring back testing requirements.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania announced on March 5 that it will maintain a Test-Optional policy for the 2024-25 application cycle, not requiring students to submit SAT/ACT scores.

Cornell University

Cornell University announced in February that it will extend its Test-Optional and Score-Free policy for another year.

However, three of Cornell's undergraduate colleges—the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning; and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business—will not consider standardized test scores.

The five undergraduate colleges that will continue the test-optional policy are the College of Arts and Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Human Ecology; Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy; and School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Harvard University

Harvard University established a four-year testing policy three years ago, announcing that it will implement a Test-Optional policy for the 2023 through 2026 application cycles.

Princeton University

Princeton decided on a three-year testing policy three years ago, announcing that it would implement a Test-Optional policy for the 2023-2025 application cycles.

Columbia University

Columbia University announced in March 2023 that it will permanently adopt a Test-Optional standardized testing policy.

These are the updated standardized testing requirements for the eight Ivy League schools. For more questions related to studying abroad and graduate applications, you can also add the contact information of a CheersYou（清柚教育） consultant below for more details.