August 2026: More Top Colleges Reinstate Standardized Testing Requirements

A notable reversal in college admissions policy is gaining momentum this August, as an increasing number of highly-selective universities reinstate mandatory ACT or SAT score submissions for applicants. This shift, reported as a key change for the 2026 admissions season, marks a significant departure from the widespread test-optional policies adopted during the pandemic and suggests a renewed emphasis on standardized metrics in the evaluation process at top-tier schools.

The trend is identified as one of the major ways "college admissions season is changing this year," according to a recent analysis from The Washington Post. The report notes that "more top schools are requiring ACT or SAT scores" for the upcoming cycle, signaling a move away from the test-optional flexibility that had become commonplace. While the specific institutions leading this change are not enumerated in the available search results, the development is framed as a consequential shift affecting applicants to selective colleges.

This reinstatement occurs within a landscape where competition remains intense. Application numbers are projected to stay high, and colleges are competing for a smaller pool of traditional-aged students, as noted by CollegeData. The policy change adds a new, concrete hurdle for students targeting the most selective universities, who must now ensure their testing profiles are competitive. This development underscores the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of elite admissions criteria, where policies can shift rapidly in response to institutional priorities and assessment of applicant pools.

Source: The Washington Post, August 3, 2026.