Columbia University to Require SAT/ACT Scores Starting August 2027, Completing Ivy League Return to Testing

Columbia University has announced it will require SAT or ACT scores from all undergraduate applicants beginning in August 2027 for the 2027-2028 admissions cycle, completing the Ivy League's full return to standardized testing requirements after several years of test-optional policies. The university will remain test-optional for the upcoming 2026-2027 admissions cycle before implementing the new requirement, according to Columbia's official undergraduate admissions website [Testing Policy - Columbia Undergraduate Admissions](https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/process/testing).

This development makes Columbia the final Ivy League institution to reinstate testing requirements, following similar moves by Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and Dartmouth earlier in 2026. The announcement marks a significant policy shift for Columbia, which had maintained test-optional admissions since 2020. Higher Ed Dive reported that "Columbia University will return to requiring SAT or ACT scores from undergraduate applicants beginning August 2027" [Columbia reinstates SAT, ACT requirements for 2027-28](https://www.highereddive.com/news/columbia-reinstates-sat-act-requirements-for-2027-28/822957/).

The decision comes amid a broader trend of elite institutions reversing pandemic-era test-optional policies. While Columbia's immediate 2026-2027 cycle remains test-optional, the university's announcement provides clear guidance for current high school sophomores (class of 2028) who will be the first cohort affected by the new requirement. This completes the Ivy League's unified return to standardized testing, creating a consistent landscape for applicants targeting the nation's most selective institutions.