testbrokenpencilThis year, several more colleges are reinstating SAT and ACT requirements. As the admissions landscape shifts again, students should make sure to keep up to date on individual school policies and consider preparing for standardized testing.

While the vast majority of institutions in our coverage universe still offer some form of test-optional admissions, a number of institutions have reinstated standardized testing requirements after going test-optional during the pandemic.

Click on Continue Reading to see our select list of schools who have reinstated requirements for recent and upcoming cycles. For your convenience, we’ve included admit rates and links to each school’s standardized test policy details to help you find suitable candidates for your college list.

For College Kickstart subscribers, this information is automatically updated and visible as part of the requirements view.


Colleges Reinstating Standardized Testing Requirements

College Kickstart LLC

InstitutionStateAdmit Rate (%)Mid 50 SAT/ACTCycle ReinstatedNotesLink
PrincetonNJ41500-1560
34-35
2027-28
Claremont McKennaCA91480-1540
33-35
2027-28
AuburnAL461260-1380
26-31
2026-27Test submission was already strongly encouraged
AlabamaAL771110-1360
22-30
2026-27Phased return: GPA <3.0 required first, universal requirement for Fall 2028
LSULA731180-1320
24-30
2026-27Phased return: GPA <3.5 required first, universal requirement for Fall 2028
Carnegie MellonPA111500-1560
34-36
2025-26Flexible; Required for CS; Optional for Fine Arts
CornellNY81510-1560
33-35
2025-26
Georgia SouthernGA88970-1140
18-23
2025-26Part of University System of Georgia’s shift
Georgia StateGA55980-1200
19-26
2025-26Part of University System of Georgia’s shift
Johns HopkinsMD61530-1560
34-36
2025-26
Kennesaw StateGA691010-1210
19-26
2025-26Part of University System of Georgia’s shift
Ohio StateOH611280-1430
26-32
2025-26
StanfordCA41510-1570
34-35
2025-26
University of MiamiFL181350-1450
30-33
2025-26
UPennPA51510-1570
34-36
2025-26