August 2026: Top Colleges Reverse Course, Reinstating Standardized Test Requirements

A significant reversal in admissions policy is underway as the 2026-27 application season begins, with multiple highly selective colleges reinstating mandatory ACT or SAT score submissions. This shift, reported by The Washington Post in early August 2026, marks a departure from the test-optional landscape that dominated the previous several cycles and introduces a new strategic consideration for applicants targeting top-tier schools.

According to the Post's analysis of changing admissions trends, "More top schools are requiring ACT or SAT scores" this year. This development suggests that the pendulum is swinging back toward standardized testing as a core component of holistic review at institutions where competition for seats is most intense. While the specific schools enacting this change are not named in the provided snippet, the report frames it as a notable trend among "top schools," implying a movement within the Ivy-Plus and similar elite cohort.

The policy shift arrives amidst other competitive pressures, including continued dips in acceptance rates and an increasing reliance on early decision and early action rounds to fill classes. As noted by Applerouth, many selective colleges now fill over 70% of their class through early plans, making the strategic preparation for all application components—now including reinstated test scores—more critical than ever for applicants in this cycle.

This return to testing requirements represents one of the most concrete and immediate changes for families navigating the current admissions landscape. It underscores the fluid nature of elite admissions criteria and places renewed emphasis on standardized test preparation for students aiming for the most selective institutions.