For the past five years, the prevailing advice for college applicants has been nuanced: submit your scores if they're strong, withhold them if they're not, and hope the "holistic review" process treats both groups equally. That era is ending. The 2025-26 admissions cycle marked a significant inflection point, with several of the most selective universities in the country reinstating mandatory standardized test requirements. If you are applying to college in 2026-27, you need to understand the new landscape clearly.
Which Schools Have Gone Back to Test-Required?
The list of schools that have reinstated mandatory SAT or ACT requirements for the Class of 2029 and beyond includes several of the highest-profile names in American higher education. Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth all reinstated testing requirements, citing data showing that test scores are meaningful predictors of academic success and that test-optional policies had not, in practice, produced the increases in socioeconomic diversity they were intended to generate.
MIT had never gone test-optional, maintaining its requirement throughout the pandemic era. Georgetown joined the mandatory testing group as well. The effect of these policy changes was visible immediately in application data: total application volumes at these schools declined for the Class of 2029, as students who knew their scores were not competitive chose not to apply. This is not entirely negative — it produced more realistic applicant pools and, in some cases, modestly higher acceptance rates for those who did apply.
| School | Testing Policy (2026–27) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard | Test-Required | Reinstated for Class of 2029 |
| Yale | Test-Required | Reinstated; acceptance rate rose to ~4.6% |
| Princeton | Test-Required | Has required tests consistently |
| MIT | Test-Required | Never went test-optional |
| Georgetown | Test-Required | Reinstated |
| Brown | Test-Required | Reinstated for Class of 2029 |
| Dartmouth | Test-Required | Reinstated; data showed scores predict success |
| Columbia | Test-Optional | Reviewing policy |
| Penn | Test-Optional | Received 72,000+ applications |
| Cornell | Test-Optional | Ongoing review |
| Duke | Test-Optional | Extended test-optional policy |
| University of Chicago | Test-Optional | Long-standing test-optional pioneer |
| UC System (all campuses) | Test-Blind | Does not consider scores even if submitted |
| Caltech | Test-Required | Reinstated requirement |
| Williams College | Test-Optional | Remains optional |
What Does the Data Say About Submitting Scores at Test-Optional Schools?
The data from the 2025-26 cycle is instructive. Even at schools that remain test-optional, approximately 11% more students submitted scores compared to the prior year. This reflects a growing understanding among applicants that "test-optional" does not mean "test-irrelevant." Multiple studies of admissions outcomes at test-optional schools have found that students who submitted scores were admitted at higher rates than those who did not, even after controlling for GPA and other factors. This suggests that scores still carry weight in evaluation, even when submission is voluntary.
We always said test-optional didn't mean test-blind. When strong scores are available, they add positive evidence. When no scores are available, we simply have one fewer data point — but we do notice the absence. — Admissions Dean, highly selective liberal arts college
The Decision Framework: Should You Submit Your Score?
The most reliable framework for deciding whether to submit at test-optional schools is straightforward: submit your score if it is at or above the 50th percentile of enrolled students at a given school. The 25th-75th percentile score ranges are published by every school in their Common Data Set, which is publicly available. If your score falls below the 25th percentile, submitting almost certainly hurts you. If it falls between the 25th and 50th percentile, the calculus is more nuanced and depends on other factors in your application.
- ▸Submit if your score is at or above the 50th percentile (median) of enrolled students at that school — it adds positive evidence to your file.
- ▸Do not submit if your score falls below the 25th percentile — submitting a weak score at a test-optional school is worse than not submitting at all.
- ▸Consider submitting if your score is between the 25th and 50th percentile AND your GPA or course rigor is exceptional — the score may still add context.
- ▸Always submit to test-required schools, even if your scores are not ideal — withholding scores at a test-required school will result in an incomplete application.
- ▸If applying to a mix of test-required and test-optional schools, take the test seriously regardless — you need the scores for at least some applications.
What Are Test-Blind Schools and How Do They Work?
Test-blind schools are fundamentally different from test-optional schools: they do not consider standardized test scores even if you submit them. The University of California system — including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and all other UC campuses — is the most prominent example. Caltech briefly went test-blind during the pandemic but has since reinstated requirements. At a test-blind school, preparing for and taking the SAT or ACT is only valuable if you are also applying to test-required or test-optional schools where the scores will be used.
Strategic Considerations for Class of 2027 Applicants
If you are a current sophomore — part of the Class of 2027 — the testing landscape you will face when you apply in fall 2026 may look different still. The trend toward reinstating test requirements at highly selective schools shows no sign of reversing. More schools are likely to follow Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth. The safest strategy is to treat testing seriously from the start: begin preparation in tenth grade, aim high, and give yourself multiple attempts to achieve a score that will be an asset at every school on your list.
The SAT and ACT are both excellent tests, and the choice between them comes down to personal fit. The SAT has a stronger math section relative to verbal, and no time pressure on science reasoning as a separate section. The ACT tests science explicitly and tends to be slightly faster-paced. Take a practice version of each and compare your performance and comfort level before committing to a prep plan.