August 2026: Standardized Testing Reinstatements Gain Momentum Among Selective Universities

AUGUST 2026 — The 2026-27 college admissions season is being defined by a decisive shift back toward requiring standardized test scores at many selective universities, reversing a widespread test-optional trend that began during the pandemic. According to a recent analysis by The Washington Post, "More top schools are requiring ACT or SAT scores" as a central change this year [7]. This movement, sometimes referred to as "The Great Reinstatement," is creating new strategic considerations for applicants to competitive programs.

While the University of Texas at Austin announced its reinstatement earlier, its policy is now in full effect for students applying in the current cycle [10]. The trend appears to be expanding. A recent advisory from Compass Prep notes that for students applying in August 2026 to start in 2027, "a standardized..." test will be required at a growing list of institutions [Search 2]. Furthermore, over 3,000 University of California faculty members had signed a petition as of August 2026 advocating for the reinstatement of admissions testing, indicating significant internal pressure within another major public university system [Search 2].

Admissions experts cite the return to testing as a response to the challenges of evaluating increasingly large applicant pools in a holistic manner. The Washington Post report lists this as one of seven major ways admissions is changing, alongside other shifts like some schools dropping supplemental essays and acceptance rates potentially continuing to dip [7]. For families navigating elite admissions, this reinstatement underscores the importance of verifying the specific testing policy—whether required, recommended, or optional—for each target school as application deadlines approach.