Columbia Completes Ivy League Return to Test-Required Admissions for 2027

Columbia University has announced it will require SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate applicants beginning with the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, completing the Ivy League's full return to test-required policies. According to Columbia's official admissions website, the university "will require standardized testing starting in August 2027" while remaining test-optional for the current 2026-2027 cycle.

This announcement makes Columbia the final Ivy League institution to reinstate testing requirements, following similar moves by peer institutions. As reported by Oriel Admissions, "Six of the eight Ivy League schools now require SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants in the 2026-2027 cycle." With Columbia's decision, all eight Ivies will be test-required by the 2027-2028 admissions season.

The shift represents a dramatic reversal from pandemic-era policies. Yale University, which had implemented a "test-flexible" policy accepting various exam scores, announced in May 2026 that it would require the SAT or ACT outright for the 2026-2027 cycle, as noted by Compass Prep. Columbia's phased approach gives current high school juniors (class of 2027) one final test-optional cycle before the requirement takes effect.

The return to test-required policies across the most selective institutions signals a significant change in elite admissions strategy. Families with students targeting these schools should plan accordingly, with Columbia's announcement providing clear timeline guidance for those affected by the policy change.