Stanford Reinstates SAT/ACT Requirement for Fall 2026 Applicants

Stanford University has announced it will reinstate a standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admissions, mandating SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants seeking entry in Fall 2026. This policy shift, confirmed in July 2025, represents a significant reversal for one of the world's most selective universities and aligns with a broader trend among elite institutions returning to test-required admissions.

According to Stanford's official announcement, the university will require either the SAT or ACT for the Class of 2030 admissions cycle, ending its test-optional policy that had been in place since the pandemic. The university stated it "will reinstate a standardized testing requirement" as part of its admissions criteria for the approaching application period, as reported by Stanford News in July 2025.

Stanford now joins several other highly selective universities that have recently reinstated testing requirements for the 2026 admissions cycle. Johns Hopkins University announced in August 2024 that it would require ACT or SAT scores for undergraduate applicants beginning with Fall 2026 entry, specifically for the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering, as noted by Compass Prep. Meanwhile, Harvard University maintains its test-optional policy through at least 2026, creating a divergent landscape among top-tier institutions.

The return to test-required policies at Stanford and other elite schools comes as the August 22, 2026, registration deadline for fall SAT testing approaches, according to the College Board's official schedule. This development places renewed pressure on high school students targeting top universities to prepare for and submit standardized test scores, fundamentally changing the strategic landscape for the upcoming admissions season.