Which US Colleges Require the SAT Again? (2026–27)

During the pandemic, almost every US college went test-optional. That era is ending at the top. Since 2022, a steady stream of the most selective colleges have brought back the requirement, and for students applying in 2026–27, a strong SAT or ACT score is once again expected at many of them.

Colleges requiring SAT or ACT scores

For the 2026–27 cycle, these highly selective colleges require test scores:

• MIT: brought back its requirement in 2022
• Harvard: required, with other exams accepted only in exceptional cases
• Yale: requires the SAT or ACT. In May 2026 it ended the option to use AP or IB results instead
• Stanford: required since the class entering in 2026
• Dartmouth: required; students at schools outside the US may use alternatives such as APs, IB or A-Level results
• Brown, Cornell and Caltech: required
• Penn: required, with a waiver for students who can't test because of hardship

What about everyone else?

Most US colleges remain test-optional, and some selective ones, including Princeton and Columbia, are test-optional for this cycle. Test-optional doesn't mean test-blind, though. Admissions offices still see a strong score as useful evidence, and many public universities and private colleges consider scores when awarding merit scholarships.

What it means for international students

For international applicants, a test score matters even more. Admissions officers may be less familiar with your school's grading, and the SAT gives them a common yardstick. Apart from a few exceptions, like Dartmouth's alternatives, plan on submitting a score.

How to plan

1. 1List your target colleges and note each one's current testing policy.
2. 2If any require scores, treat the SAT as required for your whole list.
3. 3Aim for a score at or above the typical range for admitted students at your top choices.
4. 4Leave time for two sittings before your earliest deadline.

Testing policies change from year to year. Always confirm the current policy on each college's admissions website before you apply.