Do colleges still require standardized tests

Okay, so I’m starting to think about college applications and I’m so confused about the whole standardized test thing. I thought everyone was ditching the SAT and ACT, but then I hear different things from different people.

Basically, I’m wondering if most colleges still require you to submit an SAT or ACT score. I’m particularly interested in knowing if any top schools still require them, like, you know, the Ivies or Stanford or MIT. And if they do require them, is it a hard requirement? Like, will my application just be thrown out if I don’t submit a score?

On the other hand, if they’re test-optional, how much does submitting a good score actually help? Does it give you a huge advantage, or is it just a minor boost? And if a school is test-blind, does that mean they literally don’t look at your scores, even if you send them? I’m just trying to figure out how much time and energy I should invest in studying for these tests. I have a pretty good GPA, and I’m involved in a bunch of extracurriculars, so I’d rather focus on those if the SAT/ACT isn’t super important anymore.

Answer

The landscape of standardized testing requirements in college admissions has undergone significant changes in recent years. While standardized tests like the SAT and ACT were once nearly universal requirements for admission to four-year colleges in the United States, the prevalence of these requirements has diminished. However, they are not completely gone.

Test-Optional Policies:

• Prevalence: A large number of colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies. This means that applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
• Reasons for Adoption: The rise of test-optional policies is due to several factors, including:
  • Concerns about equity: Critics argue that standardized tests can be biased against students from low-income backgrounds, underrepresented minority groups, and students with disabilities.
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted standardized testing, many colleges temporarily suspended testing requirements. Some have since made those changes permanent.
  • Focus on holistic review: Many colleges emphasize a holistic review process that considers a wide range of factors beyond test scores, such as grades, coursework rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and demonstrated character.
• How Test-Optional Works:
  • Applicants can choose whether or not to submit their scores.
  • Colleges typically state that applicants who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.
  • Some colleges may still recommend or encourage students to submit scores if they believe the scores reflect their academic abilities.
• Types of Test-Optional Policies:
  • Permanent Test-Optional: The policy is in effect indefinitely.
  • Pilot or Temporary Test-Optional: The policy is in place for a set period of time and may be reevaluated.
  • Test-Flexible: Allows applicants to submit other types of standardized tests, such as AP exams or IB exams, in lieu of the SAT or ACT.
  • Test-Blind: Colleges do not consider standardized test scores at all, even if they are submitted.

Test-Required Policies:

• Remaining Institutions: Some colleges and universities still require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores.
• Reasons for Requiring Tests:
  • Predictive Validity: Supporters of standardized testing argue that test scores can be a useful predictor of college academic performance.
  • Standardized Measure: Test scores provide a common metric for comparing applicants from different high schools with varying grading standards and curricula.
  • Scholarship Eligibility: Some institutions and scholarship programs use test scores as a criterion for awarding merit-based scholarships.
• Impact of Required Tests:
  • Students applying to test-required colleges must prepare for and take the SAT or ACT.
  • Test scores can play a significant role in the admissions decision at these institutions.

Nuances and Considerations:

• Highly Selective Colleges: Even among test-optional colleges, highly selective institutions may still consider strong test scores as a positive factor in the admissions process.
• Specific Programs: Some programs within a university (e.g., direct medical programs) may have different testing requirements than the university as a whole.
• Home-Schooled Students: Some colleges may require standardized tests from home-schooled applicants to provide a standardized measure of their academic abilities.
• International Students: International students may be required to submit standardized tests or English proficiency tests, even if the college has a test-optional policy for domestic students.
• Changes Over Time: College testing policies can change, so it’s essential to check the specific requirements of each institution to which you are applying.

Recommendations:

• Research Individual College Policies: The most important step is to carefully research the testing policies of each college you are interested in. Consult the college’s website or contact the admissions office for the most up-to-date information.
• Consider Your Strengths: If you are a strong test-taker, submitting your scores to test-optional colleges may enhance your application. However, if your scores do not reflect your academic abilities, you may choose not to submit them.
• Focus on Other Application Components: Regardless of whether you submit test scores, focus on strengthening other aspects of your application, such as your grades, coursework, essays, and extracurricular activities.
• Prepare for the Tests (If Required): If you are applying to test-required colleges, dedicate sufficient time to prepare for the SAT or ACT.

In summary, standardized tests are not universally required for college admissions anymore. Many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, but some institutions still require them. The best approach is to research the specific policies of each college you are interested in and make informed decisions about whether to submit your scores.

Written by

Studentanswers Editorial Team

University Admissions, GPA, SAT/ACT, Teacher Careers, Student Finance Expertise: Education Content Specialist & Research Writer 19+ years of experience

I'm Mustafa Bulut, an education researcher and content specialist with over a decade of experience helping students navigate the complexities of academic life — from decoding GPA scales to understanding what top universities actually look for in applicants. My work focuses on making higher education accessible and understandable. I've spent years researching university admissions processes, standardized testing systems (SAT, ACT, TOEFL), and the real-world career paths that follow graduation. Whether you're a high school junior trying to figure out if your GPA is competitive for Ivy League schools, or an adult learner weighing the cost of going back to school, I write with you in mind. I cover five core areas on StudentAnswers: university admissions and GPA benchmarks, SAT and ACT test preparation strategies, teacher career outlooks and education job markets, global literacy trends and education access, and student finance including loans, scholarships, and hidden costs of higher education. Before launching StudentAnswers, I worked extensively with education data — analyzing acceptance rates, salary statistics for education professionals, and literacy reports from UNESCO and national education departments. I believe that good education content should give readers a clear answer, not just more questions. Every article I publish goes through a research and editorial review process. I cite primary sources wherever possible — official university data, government labor statistics, and peer-reviewed education research — because students deserve accurate information when making decisions that shape their futures.

✓ Reviewed by: Studentanswers Editorial Team ✓ Fact-checked: 20 October 2025

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