August 2026: Selective Colleges Reverse Test-Optional Trend, Reinstating Standardized Testing

A major reversal is underway in elite college admissions. After several years where test-optional policies became the norm, particularly following the pandemic, a growing number of highly selective universities are now reinstating mandatory SAT or ACT score submissions for applicants, according to recent reports analyzing the 2026 admissions landscape. This shift represents one of the most significant policy changes for the upcoming application cycle.

The Washington Post reported in early August 2026 that "more top schools are requiring ACT or SAT scores" as a key way admissions season is changing this year. While the specific institutions leading this reversal are not named in the available search results, the trend is identified as a central development among competitive colleges. This move away from test-optional policies suggests a renewed institutional emphasis on standardized metrics for evaluating applicants in an increasingly crowded and competitive applicant pool.

This policy shift coincides with other notable trends for the 2026 cycle, including a continued heavy reliance on early decision and early action programs to fill classes, and acceptance rates that remain at or near historic lows at the most selective institutions. The return of testing requirements will force a strategic reassessment for many high-achieving applicants targeting top-tier schools, particularly those who may have planned to apply without submitting scores. Admissions experts anticipate this will add another layer of complexity to an already demanding process for families navigating elite college admissions.

Source: The Washington Post, "7 ways college admissions season is changing this year" (August 3, 2026)