Editor’s note: This post was updated in October 2025 to include Princeton University’s decision to reinstate standardised testing for fall 2027 applicants.
College admissions underwent a profound transformation in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Standardised testing, once a cornerstone of the US admissions process, was quickly sidelined. As the role of the SAT and ACT in US universities diminished, the number of test-optional institutions rose sharply, from 1,075 in March 2020 to 1,700 by that autumn.
However, a new trend is emerging. Dartmouth College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgetown University, the University of Texas at Austin, Yale University, and Brown University have reinstated testing requirements. In 2024, Cornell University reinstated testing for fall 2026 applicants. More recently, in October 2025, Princeton University announced it would require SAT and ACT scores for the fall 2027 intake. This marks a turning point for the SAT and ACT in US universities, leaving Columbia University as the only Ivy League institution still test-optional.
Let’s delve into the details of what prompted this change and what it means for US college admissions
Why are SAT and ACT in US universities making a comeback?
Amidst the ongoing debate surrounding SAT and ACT in US universities, institutions continue to weigh multiple factors when shaping their policies. While pre-pandemic research asserted that high school GPAs were a more accurate predictor of college success than SAT or ACT scores, post-pandemic studies reveal a different perspective.
Recent findings indicate that reintroducing the SAT and ACT in US universities can help marginalised students access higher education opportunities. For instance, 2024 research by Opportunity Insights suggests that standardised test scores carry significant weight in predicting outcomes for students in highly selective colleges, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Meanwhile, a PEW survey found that 85 percent of Americans believe standardised tests should remain a factor in college admissions.
Universities cite data-driven reasons for the return of standardised testing
Yale’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Jeremiah Quinlan, noted, “Simply put, students with higher scores have been more likely to have higher Yale GPAs, and test scores are the single greatest predictor of a student’s performance in Yale courses in every model we have constructed.”
Similarly, Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock stated that SAT and ACT results are stronger indicators of performance than GPAs or recommendation letters. She explained that test-optional policies make it harder to assess students from diverse schooling systems, including international applicants.
Brown University President Christina Paxson raised concerns about “unintended adverse outcomes” from test-optional policies. To address this, Brown launched a testing in context initiative, promoting a review process that considers scores alongside applicants’ personal and educational backgrounds. Paxson believes this approach supports fairness for underrepresented students.
At the University of Texas, President Jay Hartzell observed that standardised testing remains valuable in identifying students who align best with university programmes. During the test-optional years, SAT and ACT scores helped differentiate among applicants with similar GPAs.
Cornell Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff added, “While it may seem counterintuitive, considering these test scores actually promotes access to students from a wider range of backgrounds and circumstances. Our analysis indicates that instituting the testing requirement likely enhances, rather than diminishes, our ability to identify and admit qualified students.”
Princeton University also reviewed data from five test-optional cycles. The Daily Princetonian reported that “academic performance was stronger among students who chose to submit test scores than among those who did not,” a finding that influenced the university’s decision to resume testing.
What does the return of the SAT and ACT in US universities mean?
US universities are now taking varied approaches to standardised testing. Some have reinstated SAT and ACT requirements, while others remain test-flexible or test-optional. The University of Michigan, for example, shifted from test-flexible to test-optional. Previously, students could submit PSAT, IB, or AP results. Now, the university accepts only SAT or ACT scores. Princeton has reinstated testing for 2027 entry, while Columbia has committed to remaining permanently test-optional.
The landscape of standardised testing policies
FairTest Executive Director Harry Feder observed that ACT/SAT-optional and test-blind policies persist as the “new normal” across many universities. He explained that test-optional policies tend to increase applicant numbers, attract strong academic profiles, and promote diversity. According to FairTest data, more than 80 percent of US four-year universities will not mandate SAT or ACT scores for fall 2025 admissions.
| Test-optional Policy Extenders | Test-optional Policy Enders |
| The City University of New York (CUNY) | Dartmouth |
| University of Missouri | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| University of Utah | Yale University |
| Vanderbilt University | Brown University |
| Boston University | University of Texas* (applies to 25% of applicants) |
| Columbia University | Georgetown University |
| William & Mary | Cornell University |
| Villanova University | Princeton University |
| University of Michigan | |
| Duke University |
Source– University Websites | Disclaimer: Please note that schools reserve the right to review and modify their standardised testing policies at any time without prior notice. Please check the official websites or contact the admissions offices for the most up-to-date information. |* The standardised testing policy applies to 25 percent of applicants not covered by automatic admission. As per a 2009 law modification, The University of Texas at Austin must automatically admit enough Texas residents to fill 75 percent of available spots.
In conclusion, as the post-pandemic era unfolds, colleges and universities are navigating the balance between academic rigour and accessibility. The return of the SAT and ACT in US universities underscores how institutions are reassessing the role of standardised testing in ensuring equity and excellence.
At The Red Pen, we provide comprehensive support to applicants at every stage of their application process. Please contact us if you need assistance; our admissions specialists look forward to helping you. Read our blog: US Undergraduate Standardised Testing: All You Need to Know.
