Columbia University Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement for 2027-28 Cycle, Completing Ivy League Return to Testing
Columbia becomes the final Ivy League institution to announce a return to mandatory standardized testing, ending its test-optional policy for applicants seeking fall 2028 admission.
July 11, 2026 · 1 min read
Columbia University announced on June 12, 2026 that it will reinstate mandatory SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate applicants beginning with the 2027-28 admissions cycle, making it the last Ivy League institution to end its test-optional policy according to Higher Ed Dive. The decision means applicants seeking to enroll in fall 2028 must submit standardized test scores, reversing the test-optional approach Columbia adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement, detailed on Columbia's Undergraduate Admissions website, specifies that both Columbia College and Columbia Engineering will require standardized testing effective August 2027. As reported by the Columbia Spectator, this move completes the Ivy League's return to mandatory testing requirements, following similar announcements from peer institutions over the past two years.
Columbia's decision comes amid a broader national trend of selective institutions reinstating testing requirements after several years of test-optional policies. The university's announcement emphasizes that the change will apply to first-year and transfer applicants for the 2027-28 cycle, giving current high school juniors and sophomores clear guidance as they prepare their applications. The policy shift represents a significant development for families targeting elite universities, as Columbia was one of the last holdouts among highly selective institutions maintaining test-optional admissions.
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.