Columbia University Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement for 2027-28 Admissions
Columbia becomes the final Ivy League school to end its test-optional policy, mandating scores for applicants starting with the Class of 2032.
July 2, 2026 · 1 min read
Columbia University has announced it will reinstate a standardized testing requirement for undergraduate applicants, becoming the last Ivy League institution to end its test-optional policy. According to the university's Undergraduate Admissions office, Columbia College and Columbia Engineering will require SAT or ACT scores effective August 2027 for the 2027-2028 admission cycle [Columbia Undergraduate Admissions](https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/process/testing).
This move completes a seismic shift among elite universities back toward test-required admissions. As reported by Higher Ed Dive in June 2026, Columbia's decision means all eight Ivy League schools will now require scores for first-year applicants in upcoming cycles [Higher Ed Dive](https://www.highereddive.com/news/columbia-reinstates-sat-act-requirements-for-2027-28/822957/). The policy change does not affect the current 2026-2027 application cycle, which remains test-optional. The announcement solidifies a trend among highly-selective institutions, including MIT, Georgetown, and others, that have recently reinstated testing mandates, arguing that standardized scores, when considered in context, provide valuable predictive data about college readiness.
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.