Columbia Sets 2027 Test Requirement, Johns Hopkins & Ohio State Mandate Scores for 2026

Columbia University has announced it will require standardized test scores for undergraduate applicants beginning in August 2027, according to its official admissions website. This makes Columbia the final Ivy League institution to set a definitive date for reinstating a testing mandate in the post-pandemic era. The university clarified it will remain test-optional for the upcoming 2026-2027 admissions cycle before the requirement takes effect [Columbia Undergraduate Admissions](https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/process/testing).

This announcement coincides with two other significant policy shifts for the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Johns Hopkins University now requires the SAT or ACT "for students applying for Fall 2026 and beyond," as confirmed on its admissions site [Johns Hopkins University Admissions](https://apply.jhu.edu/how-to-apply/application-deadlines-requirements/standardized-testing/). Separately, The Ohio State University has reinstated the ACT/SAT requirement for all new first-year applicants to its Columbus campus for the 2026 cycle, as reported by Compass Prep [Compass Prep](https://www.compassprep.com/testing-spotlight/).

These moves reflect a broader, accelerating trend among selective institutions. As noted by CollegeWise, "Several elite schools have reinstated test-required policies in 2026, and many others strongly encourage scores" [CollegeWise](https://collegewise.com/blog/do-you-need-to-take-the-sat-in-2026?hs_amp=true). The decisions by Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and Ohio State provide clear, forward-looking guidance for high school students planning their testing strategy, with Columbia's 2027 deadline offering a one-year reprieve for current juniors before the mandate returns.