Columbia University to Require SAT/ACT Starting August 2027, Extends Test-Optional for 2026-27

Columbia University has announced it will require standardized test scores from all undergraduate applicants starting in August 2027, marking a significant policy reversal at one of the nation's most selective institutions. The university confirmed it "will remain test optional for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle" before the mandate takes effect, according to its official admissions website.

This announcement places Columbia among a growing list of elite universities reinstating testing requirements after years of test-optional policies. The policy shift, effective for applicants seeking entry in fall 2028, provides current high school juniors (class of 2027) with a clear timeline: they will be the first cohort required to submit scores. Columbia's decision follows similar moves by peer institutions like Johns Hopkins University, which reinstated its requirement for fall 2026 entry, and Ohio State University, which will require tests for its 2026 admissions cycle.

The move comes amid broader reevaluation of testing policies in selective admissions. More than 1,400 University of California faculty have signed an open letter calling for the system to reinstate the SAT and ACT, though UC remains test-blind for now. Columbia's specific August 2027 start date gives families and counselors nearly a full year to prepare for the change, distinguishing it from institutions with immediate or earlier implementation timelines.

Sources: Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, Higher Ed Dive, Oriel Admissions