August 2026: More Top Schools Reinstating Standardized Testing Requirements

The landscape of selective college admissions is shifting decisively back toward standardized testing for the 2026-2027 application cycle. A growing cohort of elite institutions, reversing the widespread test-optional policies adopted during the pandemic, have now reinstated mandatory SAT or ACT score submissions for applicants.

According to admissions expert Sara Harberson, this trend is accelerating among highly selective colleges. She notes that "More highly selective colleges will reinstate standardized testing," specifically naming MIT, CalTech, Brown University, Yale University, Dartmouth College, and Harvard University as part of this movement (Sara Harberson). This marks a significant policy reversal that will directly impact students targeting the most competitive schools.

The Washington Post confirms this is a central way "college admissions season is changing this year," listing "More top schools are requiring ACT or SAT scores" as a key trend (Washington Post). This return to testing requirements comes amid continued intense competition for seats at top-tier institutions, where acceptance rates remain at or near historic lows. For instance, Dartmouth College reported an overall acceptance rate of 6.24% for the Class of 2026 (Top Tier Admissions).

This policy shift forces a strategic recalculation for high-achieving applicants. Students who may have planned to apply without scores must now prepare for and take these exams to be considered at a widening list of top destinations. The change underscores the enduring role standardized metrics play in the evaluation processes at schools grappling with record application volumes and the need for comparative academic data.