Columbia Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement, Completing Ivy League Return to Testing
Columbia University announces it will require SAT or ACT scores for applicants starting with the 2027-28 admissions cycle, marking the final Ivy League institution to end its test-optional policy.
July 25, 2026 · 1 min read
Columbia University has announced it will reinstate mandatory SAT or ACT testing requirements for undergraduate applicants, effective for the 2027-28 admissions cycle. This move makes Columbia the final Ivy League institution to end its test-optional policy, completing a sweeping reversal across the elite higher education landscape.
According to the university's official announcement published June 12, 2026, Columbia will remain test-optional for the upcoming 2026-2027 admissions cycle before implementing the new requirement. The policy change affects both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering applicants seeking admission for fall 2027 and beyond.
This development marks a significant milestone in the post-pandemic recalibration of admissions standards. With Columbia's decision, all eight Ivy League universities now require standardized test scores, joining other elite institutions including MIT, Stanford, Georgetown, Caltech, and the entire University System of Georgia that have already reinstated testing mandates for the 2026-2027 cycle or beyond.
This analysis may include estimates and projections compiled from public and primary sources. Figures can change — verify deadlines and policies with each school before acting on them.