Top Colleges That Require SAT/ACT Scores In 2025/26

College testing policies have been in flux for years, so it can be hard to know which schools still require SAT/ACT scores and which don’t — even the Ivy League schools don’t all share the same approach. This year several top schools are reinstating testing requirements too, making it important to stay tuned and check periodically for changing test policies wherever you plan to apply.

In this post, we’ll show you which Ivy League and other more selective schools require SAT/ACT scores for admissions, and which less selective schools also do. Schools with imminent plans to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements are also listed.

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Standardized tests like the SAT and ACT can carry significant weight in the admissions selection process. For some students, they can offer a way to highlight exceptional academic aptitudes, even for students who don't have many other avenues for demonstrating their college readiness.

For these reasons, it's essential to be aware of which colleges still require these exams. In this guide, we'll cover:

• Key trends in test-optional vs. test-required admissions policies over the past decade
• Which top schools and which less selective ones require SAT/ACT for admissions in 2025/26
• How to make the most of your test scores

A Snapshot of the Shifting SAT/ACT Landscape in Admissions

Do you need to figure out which schools require SAT or ACT scores for admissions? That’s a wise move, because testing policies have been in flux for many years across the US.

While many schools have eliminated SAT/ACT requirements for admissions during the past decade, some top schools have been reinstating test mandates, making it crucial to monitor requirements when and where you’re applying.

A More Than 10-year Trend: Moving Away From Test Requirements for Admissions

For over a decade, there have been mounting questions about the motives for requiring SAT/ACT scores and growing doubts about how well they predict success in college.

• Some researchers, including advocates with the NEA (National Education Association), have argued that the origins of the testing movement had racist overtones.
• In the late 1900s and early 2020s concerns about the predictive value of the tests and excessive emphasis on high-stakes testing culminated in a national test resistance and reform movement.
• By 2015 — five years before the impacts of COVID-19 — the number of schools adopting test-optional policies accelerated significantly.
• By 2022 — with dramatic impetus from COVID-19 restrictions —  a record number of schools had moved away from testing requirements, with about 80% of all all undergraduate institutions being test-optional.

• In February and March of 2024, Dartmouth and Brown announced plans to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements.
• Later in 2024, Harvard and Yale also announced plans to reinstate testing requirements but — according to officers at the school, with an eye toward inclusion rather than competition.

Now that you’ve got the bigger picture in mind, let’s look at exactly which schools require SAT/ACT scores in 2025/26, and which ones are in the process of reinstating testing mandates this year, or soon after.

Colleges That Require SAT/ACT in 2025/26

Here are the top US colleges and universities that require or are reinstating SAT/ACT testing.

Important Note: College testing policies can change frequently. Before applying, it's crucial to always double-check the most current requirements on each school's official website.

The remaining three Ivy League Schools we anticipate will be remaining test-optional in 2025/26:

• Columbia — test optional
• Princeton — test optional
• UPenn — test optional

Why Are Colleges Reinstating Standardized Testing?

While the majority of colleges are still test-optional or test-free in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of top universities have recently announced plans to make test score required again — most notably Harvard and Yale. These schools also came out publicly to state that their own internal studies show that SAT/ACT scores can play a crucial part in making admissions more inclusive.

On the other hand, many experts have criticized the tests over concerns about racial bias and citing race-based discriminatory impacts on admissions.

Notably, prestigious institutions like Yale, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Brown have returned to requiring the SAT/ACT. Additionally, entire public university systems in Georgia and Florida have reinstated testing mandates.

This trend might continue at other institutions, but so far it looks as though the large majority of schools have no imminent plans to eliminate their test-optional policies.

Factors That May Lead to a Return to Testing Requirements at Some Schools

• Standardization: Tests provide a common metric to compare students from diverse backgrounds.
• Equity Considerations: As policies like Affirmative Action are reviewed, some schools value standardized metrics to ensure a level playing field in the admissions process.
• Scholarly Rigor: Strong test scores can signal a student's preparedness for college-level work.
• Understanding a School's Priorities: Colleges that value test scores may use them to assess your academic readiness in the context of your high school's curriculum and grading practices.

What This Means for You

If you're applying to colleges that require the SAT/ACT, here's how to make your scores work for you:

• Stay Informed: Always check each college's website for their most current testing policies.
• Strategic Planning: Prepare for the SAT/ACT early to maximize your performance. This includes taking practice tests to identify your stronger exam and focusing your prep efforts accordingly.
• Highlight Your Strengths: If testing is a strong suit, let your scores shine on your applications.

Researching SAT/ACT Scores for Your Target Schools

Before submitting your SAT/ACT scores, it's crucial to research score expectations at your target schools and how they factor into the admissions process.

Let's say you're targeting Yale. You expect applicants there probably score in very high ranges, but you want to know how high.

With a little online research, you'll find the following information, or something close to it, depending on the year in question. In this case we're using data on SAT English scores of Yale applicants for the class of 2028:

• 25th Percentile Scores: A score below 740 puts you in the 25th percentile, ranking you with the lowest 25% of Yale applicants that year who took the SAT.
• 75th Percentile Scores: A score above 780 puts you in the 75th percentile — the top 25% of Yale applicants that took the SAT — a good score in this highly competitive landscape.
• Understanding Mid-Range Scores: Often test score ranges will be reported using a Middle 50% Range, indicating what score range puts you somewhere in the middle 50% of test takers.
• Using the Yale example above, the Middle 50% Range would be scores between 740 and 780:
• Below 740 you fall into the 25th percentile (bottom score range for Yale applicants);
• Above 780 you get into the 75th percentile, putting you among the top 25% of Yale applicants for SAT English.

With these examples in mind, consider the following as you research SAT/ACT expectations for your target schools:

• The Middle 50% Range: Find the middle 50% range of SAT/ACT scores for admitted students on each college's website. This means 25% of admitted students scored below this range (25th percentile), and 25% scored above it (reaching the 75th percentile).
• The Scoring Context: If your score falls within or above the middle 50% range, it likely strengthens your application. That said, to stand out at highly competitive schools, you'll ideally strive to attain a score in the 75th to 90th percentile range — in the top 25 percent to top 10 percent of applicants.
• Score Importance: Does the college explicitly state that test scores are a significant factor? Look for language about considering scores holistically alongside other application components.
• A Holistic Perspective: Worried your score falls below expectations? SAT/ACT scores can carry considerable weight, but most admissions committees look at applicants more holistically, eager to attract not just testing aces but individuals with diverse backgrounds, and aspirations, and the potential to make the most of the school's unique offerings.

Check out our blogs on:

• What is a Good SAT Score?
• What is a Good ACT Score?

Other Factors to Consider

While the information in this guide is a valuable starting point, remember that admissions requirements can vary within a single university. Here are some additional points to keep in mind:

• Program-Specific Requirements: Certain competitive majors, such as engineering or some STEM fields, might still require test scores, even at schools that are otherwise test-optional.
• Scholarship Eligibility: Some merit-based scholarships may have SAT/ACT score cutoffs. Always check the specific scholarship criteria alongside the college's general testing policy.

Thoroughly researching each college on your list and their specific program requirements is essential for making informed application decisions.

Final Thoughts

In today's testing landscape students have many test-optional schools to choose from, making it possible you could forget about SAT/ACT testing altogether and still have lots of goods schools you can list on your college list.

However, some top colleges do require SAT/ACT test scores or are reinstating SAT/ACT requirements in the fall 2025 or the fall 2026. These include no lesser names than Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Brown, Georgetown, Caltech, and Purdue, among others.

In addition, many test-optional schools are not test blind, meaning if can be tricky to decide if you should opt to take and submit test scores or not.

For all these reasons, Crimson strategists will often recommend students aim to prepare for and take either the SAT or ACT, but ultimately it really depends on your individual circumstances. This is why the input and perspective of an experienced admissions strategist are helpful.

And, don't forget to keep tabs on which schools on your own college list do require testing, and which are test-optional schools, as opposed to test-blind ones.

Need a Helping Hand?

Navigating college admissions can be overwhelming, especially when standardized tests are a factor. Our experienced college counselors can help in a holistic way, with strategy, but also with logistics, essay feedback, and the equally important benefits of getting one-on-one guidance and encouragement!

Book a free consultation today if you need test prep guidance or want personalized advice on highlighting your strengths.