Test optional is shrinking

After the test optional wave of 2020, more selective colleges now require the SAT or ACT again, and several have announced requirements that start in the next two years. At the same time, most liberal arts colleges and many public flagships remain test optional, and a few systems ignore scores entirely.

Use the filters to see which colleges require scores, which require them only in some cases, and which have announced a future change. Open Details for exceptions, superscoring, scholarship use and the official source.

Fall 2027 snapshot: 31 colleges in this list require the SAT or ACT and 13 more require it with conditions. Yale drops AP and IB as alternatives this cycle. Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame, Claremont McKenna, Alabama and UAB switch to required for fall 2028, and Vanderbilt for fall 2029.

136 colleges shownClick any column header to sort

College ↕	State ↕	Type ↕	Fall 2027 policy ↕	Announced change ↕
Amherst College	MA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, highest in each section including ACT legacy and enhanced Official page www.amherst.edu →
Arizona State University	AZ	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Not required; aptitude met by top 25% rank OR 3.00 competency GPA OR ACT 22/SAT 1120 (24/1180 nonresident) Official page admission.asu.edu →
Auburn University	AL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions All first-year applicants must have ACT or SAT on file Scores and scholarships Yes, scores maximize scholarship opportunity; some scholarships require scores Policy timing Fall 2027 entry (announced July 2025) Official page auburn.edu →
Augusta University	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT or ACT required; minimums SAT 480 RW/440 M or ACT 17/17 Policy timing 2026-27 academic year Official page www.augusta.edu →
Barnard College	NY	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page barnard.edu →
Bates College	ME	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.bates.edu →
Binghamton University (SUNY)	NY	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.binghamton.edu →
Boston College	MA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page www.bc.edu →
Boston University	MA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.bu.edu →
Bowdoin College	ME	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page www.bowdoin.edu →
Brandeis University	MA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.brandeis.edu →
Brown University	RI	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, superscores SAT, ACT or both Policy timing Required starting fall 2025 (2024-25 cycle) Official page admission.brown.edu →
California Institute of Technology	CA	Private university	Test required	None announced
Policy timing Required starting fall 2025 (announced April 11, 2024) Official page www.admissions.caltech.edu →
California State University (all 23 campuses)	CA	Public university	Test free	None announced
Conditions and exceptions CSU no longer uses ACT or SAT to determine admission eligibility Policy timing Trustees vote to amend Title 5, 2022 Official page www.calstate.edu →
Carleton College	MN	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.carleton.edu →
Carnegie Mellon UniversitySchool of Computer Science requires SAT or ACT; Engineering, Dietrich, Mellon College of Science, Tepper, Hein…	PA	Private university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions School of Computer Science requires SAT or ACT; Engineering, Dietrich, Mellon College of Science, Tepper, Heinz IS are test flexible (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-Level or French Bac); College of Fine Arts test optional Superscore SAT yes; ACT superscores not accepted Policy timing Tiered policy starting fall 2026 (provost announcement Aug 29, 2024) Official page www.cmu.edu →
Case Western Reserve University	OH	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page case.edu →
Claremont McKenna College	CA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	Required from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions Contact admissions about test access concerns Policy timing Required starting fall 2028 Official page www.cmc.edu →
Clemson University	SC	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.clemson.edu →
Colby College	ME	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both including ACT section retests Official page afa.colby.edu →
Colgate University	NY	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.colgate.edu →
Columbia University (Columbia College and Columbia Engineering)	NY	Private university	Test optional	Required from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions Waiver process referenced for the future requirement Policy timing Required starting fall 2028 (2027-28 cycle) Official page undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu →
Cornell University	NY	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, both (highest SAT sections, Score Choice; ACT superscore and highest sections) Policy timing Required starting fall 2026 Official page admissions.cornell.edu →
Dartmouth CollegeStudents at high schools outside the US may use 3 AP exams, IB Diploma scores, A-Levels or national exams (WAS…	NH	Private university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Students at high schools outside the US may use 3 AP exams, IB Diploma scores, A-Levels or national exams (WASSCE, CBSE, ICSE, etc.) instead of SAT/ACT Superscore Yes, automatic superscoring of both Policy timing Required starting fall 2025 (Class of 2029) Official page admissions.dartmouth.edu →
Davidson College	NC	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.davidson.edu →
Duke University	NC	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page admissions.duke.edu →
Emory University	GA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both (highest SAT sections; ACT composite from best subject scores) Official page apply.emory.edu →
Florida A&M University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
Florida Atlantic University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions ACT, SAT or CLT required per BOG 6.002 Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 Official page www.fau.edu →
Florida Gulf Coast University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
Florida International University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT, ACT and/or CLT required per BOG 6.002 Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 Official page admissions.fiu.edu →
Florida Polytechnic University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
Florida State University	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
Georgetown University	DC	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore No, does not accept superscores; requires at least one full SAT or ACT Policy timing Long-standing (never went test optional) Official page uadmissions.georgetown.edu →
Georgia College & State University	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT, ACT or CLT required Policy timing Required throughout; waiver never applied Official page www.gcsu.edu →
Georgia Institute of Technology	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions At least one SAT and/or ACT required; CLT not accepted as substitute Policy timing Required throughout; waiver never applied Official page admission.gatech.edu →
Georgia Southern UniversityRequired for traditional admission at Statesboro and Armstrong; not required for University College flexible a…	GA	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Required for traditional admission at Statesboro and Armstrong; not required for University College flexible admission (East Georgia, Statesboro Center, Liberty) Policy timing 2026-27 academic year Official page www.georgiasouthern.edu →
Georgia State University	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Required for Atlanta campus bachelor’s admission; Perimeter College is the alternative Scores and scholarships Yes, required for merit scholarships (not used for Stamps and Presidential finalists) Policy timing Fall 2026 Official page admissions.gsu.edu →
Grinnell College	IA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.grinnell.edu →
Hamilton College	NY	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page www.hamilton.edu →
Harvard UniversitySAT or ACT required; in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible, AP, IB (actual or predicted), G…	MA	Private university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT or ACT required; in exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible, AP, IB (actual or predicted), GCSE/A-Level (actual or predicted) or externally assessed national leaving exams can meet the requirement Superscore Score Choice allowed; for ACT evaluates highest composite plus other scores shared; no explicit superscore statement Policy timing Required starting fall 2025 (per Harvard Gazette, April 2024) Official page college.harvard.edu →
Harvey Mudd College	CA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore No superscoring; considers scores applicant chooses to submit Official page www.hmc.edu →
Haverford College	PA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.haverford.edu →
Indiana University Bloomington	IN	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Campus prefers scores be shared Scores and scholarships Merit scholarships available with or without scores Official page bloomington.iu.edu →
Iowa State University	IA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Without scores, admission based on HS GPA and core courses Official page www.iastate.edu →
Johns Hopkins University	MD	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, both (highest section scores across dates) Policy timing Required starting fall 2026 (JHU Hub, Aug 16, 2024) Official page apply.jhu.edu →
Kennesaw State University	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT, ACT or CLT required; fall 2027 minimum GPA 3.0; architecture has higher math minimums Scores and scholarships Yes, Flight to Excellence out-of-state waiver considers grades and test scores Policy timing 2026-27 academic year Official page www.kennesaw.edu →
Lehigh University	PA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page www2.lehigh.edu →
Louisiana State UniversityACT or SAT required if GPA below 3.5; optional at 3.5+	LA	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions ACT or SAT required if GPA below 3.5; optional at 3.5+ Scores and scholarships Yes, considered in holistic merit review Official page www.lsu.edu →
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	MA	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, highest score in each section for either test Policy timing Required starting fall 2023 (Class of 2027, announced March 28, 2022) Official page mitadmissions.org →
Middlebury College	VT	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.middlebury.edu →
Mississippi State UniversityResidents: no test with CPC and 3.20 GPA, otherwise ACT/SAT path; nonresidents: 2.50 GPA or ACT/SAT 20+	MS	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Residents: no test with CPC and 3.20 GPA, otherwise ACT/SAT path; nonresidents: 2.50 GPA or ACT/SAT 20+ Scores and scholarships Yes, encouraged for scholarships and placement Policy timing AOP 12.29 approved Nov 27, 2023 Official page www.admissions.msstate.edu →
New College of Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
New York University	NY	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Accepts 3 AP, IB Diploma, A-Levels, national exams as alternatives Superscore Yes, both Official page www.nyu.edu →
Northeastern University	MA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page catalog.northeastern.edu →
Northwestern University	IL	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore SAT and ACT superscored per older FAQ; 2026-27 catalog says it will not calculate a separate ACT superscore but accepts the official ACT superscore Official page catalogs.northwestern.edu →
Penn State University Park	PA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Accelerated Premedical-Medical program requires scores Official page www.psu.edu →
Pomona College	CA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.pomona.edu →
Princeton University	NJ	Private university	Test optional	Required from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions N/A for fall 2027; for fall 2028 active military personnel are exempt Superscore SAT Score Choice permitted; ACT highest composite only; no superscoring across paper and digital formats Policy timing Required starting fall 2028 (2027-28 cycle) Official page admission.princeton.edu →
Purdue University	IN	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Purdue expects SAT, ACT or CLT; application allowed in exceptional cases where applicant could not test Scores and scholarships Yes, test before Nov 1 EA for scholarship consideration Official page admissions.purdue.edu →
Rice University	TX	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, highest score from each section across administrations Official page admission.rice.edu →
Rutgers University-New Brunswick	NJ	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Newark test blind for most; Camden optional; BS/DO and BA/MD require scores Scores and scholarships Scores submitted after admission may be used for honors and merit Policy timing Through 2027 Official page admissions.rutgers.edu →
Smith College	MA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.smith.edu →
Stanford University	CA	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, both (highest SAT sections; ACT superscore composite) Policy timing Required starting fall 2026 (page says scores were optional for Class of 2029) Official page admission.stanford.edu →
Stony Brook University (SUNY)	NY	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Scores required for Scholars for Medicine and Dental Medicine Official page www.stonybrook.edu →
Swarthmore College	PA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions IB Diploma candidates must submit IB scores Superscore SAT yes; ACT no (highest single-date composite) Official page www.swarthmore.edu →
Texas A&M University	TX	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Top 10% non-traditional Texans need SAT 1290/ACT 27 from fall 2027 Official page admissions.tamu.edu →
The Ohio State University (Columbus)	OH	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Columbus campus only; exempt if out of HS 2+ years; regional campuses and ATI do not consider scores Policy timing Autumn 2026 (announced Mar 12, 2025) Official page undergrad.osu.edu →
Tufts University	MA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page admissions.tufts.edu →
Tulane University	LA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Scores required for invitation-only Pathways to Medicine program Superscore Yes, both Official page admission.tulane.edu →
UNC System (all 16 universities)SAT or ACT required if weighted GPA 2.5 to below 2.8; optional at 2.8+	NC	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT or ACT required if weighted GPA 2.5 to below 2.8; optional at 2.8+ Policy timing Fall 2025 (BOG approved May 23, 2024) Official page www.northcarolina.edu →
University at Buffalo (SUNY)	NY	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Scores and scholarships Not required; all complete apps reviewed for merit Official page www.buffalo.edu →
University of AlabamaFall 2027: ACT or SAT required only if cumulative HS GPA below 3.0; required for all applicants from fall 2028…	AL	Public university	Required, with conditions	All applicants from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions Fall 2027: ACT or SAT required only if cumulative HS GPA below 3.0; required for all applicants from fall 2028 (applying Aug 2027) Policy timing Fall 2027 entry (announced Dec 18, 2025) Official page admissions.ua.edu →
University of Alabama at BirminghamFall 2027: required if cumulative HS GPA below 3.5; required for all from fall 2028	AL	Public university	Required, with conditions	All applicants from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions Fall 2027: required if cumulative HS GPA below 3.5; required for all from fall 2028 Policy timing Fall 2027 entry (announced Dec 18, 2025) Official page www.uab.edu →
University of Arizona	AZ	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Not required for general admission; scores may be used for placement or to meet core competency requirements Official page www.arizona.edu →
University of ArkansasTest optional only with GPA 3.2 or higher; below 3.2 scores required	AR	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Test optional only with GPA 3.2 or higher; below 3.2 scores required Scores and scholarships Yes, required for most scholarships and for Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Distinguished scholarships Official page admissions.uark.edu →
University of California (all undergraduate campuses incl. UC Berkeley, UCLA)	CA	Public university	Test free	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT/ACT not considered for admission or scholarships; may be used for minimum eligibility or course placement Scores and scholarships No Policy timing Regents vote May 2020 Official page admission.universityofcalifornia.edu →
University of Central Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
University of Colorado Boulder	CO	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Not required; self-reported scores considered if provided Official page www.colorado.edu →
University of Connecticut	CT	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Test optional for the foreseeable future Official page admissions.uconn.edu →
University of Delaware	DE	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions All applicants choose whether to submit Scores and scholarships Reviewed for merit awards and Honors College with or without scores Official page www.udel.edu →
University of Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT, ACT and/or CLT required (BOG Reg 6.002); early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page admissions.ufl.edu →
University of Georgia	GA	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions SAT or ACT required for all first-year applicants; CLT NOT accepted as SAT substitute Policy timing Required throughout; USG temporary waiver never applied to UGA Official page admissions.uga.edu →
University of Hawaii at Manoa	HI	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Do No Harm: harmful scores excluded; Hawaii residents with 3.2 GPA and required courses offered admission Scores and scholarships Some scholarships and direct-entry programs may require scores Official page manoa.hawaii.edu →
University of Idaho	ID	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Summer 2027 onward: GPA 2.6+ direct admission; 2.30 to 2.59 via Vandal Gateway; ISAT path for residents Scores and scholarships Not required for WUE, Invitation to Idaho, Go Idaho Policy timing Summer 2027 criteria Official page www.uidaho.edu →
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	IL	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Optional for all first-year applicants and all majors Official page www.admissions.illinois.edu →
University of Iowa	IA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions No harm policy: scores used only if they help Scores and scholarships Yes, reviewed with and without scores; best offer given Official page admissions.uiowa.edu →
University of Kansas	KS	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Assured admission with GPA 3.25+, or ACT 21/SAT 1060 with GPA 2.0+; others reviewed individually Scores and scholarships Not stated (National Merit can raise offer) Official page admissions.ku.edu →
University of Kentucky	KY	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Optional for admission and scholarships Scores and scholarships Test optional for scholarships Policy timing Through 2028-29 Official page admission.uky.edu →
University of Maine	ME	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Scores optional Official page umaine.edu →
University of Maryland, College Park	MD	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Scores and scholarships Merit scholarship and special program review also test optional Policy timing Extended through fall 2027 Official page admissions.umd.edu →
University of MiamiTest optional for Frost School of Music performance programs, BFA programs, School of Architecture, and intern…	FL	Private university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Test optional for Frost School of Music performance programs, BFA programs, School of Architecture, and international secondary school graduates Superscore Not stated; enter scores exactly as received Official page admissions.miami.edu →
University of Michigan	MI	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Policy timing Continuing for 2027 cycle; reviewed ongoing Official page admissions.umich.edu →
University of Minnesota Twin Cities	MN	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Temporary policy through fall 2027 Scores and scholarships Full consideration for scholarships and Honors without scores Policy timing Through fall 2027 Official page admissions.tc.umn.edu →
University of Mississippi	MS	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Residents not required; nonresidents optional with 3.2 unweighted GPA, strongly recommended below 3.2 Official page olemiss.edu →
University of Missouri	MO	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Homeschooled and non-accredited school students must submit scores Scores and scholarships Holistic without scores; scores may unlock more scholarships and help Honors Official page admissions.missouri.edu →
University of Montana	MT	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Admission if one of: 2.5 GPA, ACT 22, SAT 1120, upper half rank Scores and scholarships Not stated; Davidson Honors College may require scores Official page www.umt.edu →
University of Nebraska-Lincoln	NE	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Guaranteed with core courses plus one of: 3.0 GPA, ACT 20, SAT 1040, top half Scores and scholarships Yes, best award from GPA alone or GPA plus score Official page admissions.unl.edu →
University of Nevada, Reno	NV	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Not required; 3.0 weighted core GPA required Scores and scholarships Yes, required for most first-year scholarships Official page www.unr.edu →
University of New Hampshire	NH	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page admissions.unh.edu →
University of New Mexico	NM	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions ACT, SAT or CLT not required Official page admissions.unm.edu →
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillWeighted GPA below 2.8 must submit ACT 17+ or SAT 930+; optional at 2.8+	NC	Public university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Weighted GPA below 2.8 must submit ACT 17+ or SAT 930+; optional at 2.8+ Policy timing 2026-27 academic year and beyond Official page admissions.unc.edu →
University of North Dakota	ND	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Not required; 2.75 GPA recommended Official page und.edu →
University of North Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
University of Notre Dame	IN	Private university	Test optional	Required from fall 2028
Conditions and exceptions Future requirement allows waivers for hardship, lack of access, disaster; international may use IB, A-Level, French Bac predicted Superscore Yes, highest score in each section Policy timing Required starting fall 2028 (2027-28 cycle) Official page admissions.nd.edu →
University of Oklahoma	OK	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions No-score students take placement exams Scores and scholarships Yes, scholarship tiers with score requirements start at ACT 24/SAT 1160 Official page www.ou.edu →
University of Oregon	OR	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.uoregon.edu →
University of PennsylvaniaTesting waiver for applicants who have not tested and face hardship (lack of test center availability, financi…	PA	Private university	Required, with conditions	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Testing waiver for applicants who have not tested and face hardship (lack of test center availability, financial hardship, natural disaster or civil unrest); anyone who has tested must submit scores Superscore Yes, both (highest SAT sections; highest ACT English, Math, Reading) Policy timing Required starting fall 2026 (2025-26 cycle) Official page admissions.upenn.edu →
University of Rhode Island	RI	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page web.uri.edu →
University of Rochester	NY	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Accepts AP, IB, A-Level, national exams as alternatives Superscore Yes, both (no SAT/ACT hybrid) Official page admissions.rochester.edu →
University of South Carolina (Columbia)	SC	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Scores and scholarships Test optional also applies to Honors College and admissions merit scholarships Official page sc.edu →
University of South Dakota	SD	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Meet one of: 2.6 GPA, top 50%, ACT 21/SAT 1070, state assessment 3+ Official page www.usd.edu →
University of South Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
University of Southern California	CA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Records the highest scores from tests taken more than once (section vs composite not specified) Official page admission.usc.edu →
University of Tennessee, Knoxville	TN	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Self-report ACT or SAT by Jan 20, 2027; official by May 15, 2027; ACT Science not required Scores and scholarships Yes, superscore used for institutional merit scholarships; Honors consideration Official page admissions.utk.edu →
University of Texas at Austin	TX	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Required for all freshman applicants; auto admit top 5% for summer/fall 2027; non-traditional auto admit needs SAT 1570/ACT 36 Policy timing Fall 2025 (announced Mar 11, 2024) Official page admissions.utexas.edu →
University of Utah	UT	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Required for homeschool, GED/HiSET, non-accredited HS grads Scores and scholarships No, merit scholarships and Honors do not require scores Official page admissions.utah.edu →
University of Vermont	VT	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.uvm.edu →
University of Virginia	VA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Official page admission.virginia.edu →
University of Washington (Seattle)	WA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Permanently removed; high scores (1400/31+) may help a handful; homeschool must submit Scores and scholarships No, admissions scholarships do not consider scores Policy timing Permanent (June 2020) Official page admit.washington.edu →
University of West Florida	FL	Public university	Test required	None announced
Conditions and exceptions FTIC applicants must submit SAT, ACT or CLT; early admission students exempt Policy timing BOG Reg 6.002 (last amended Sep 8, 2023) Official page www.flbog.edu →
University of Wisconsin-Madison	WI	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Regents waiver through spring 2028 Scores and scholarships Not required but may be used if provided Policy timing Through spring 2028 Official page admissions.wisc.edu →
University of Wyoming	WY	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Assured admission 3.0+ GPA; 2.50 to 2.99 admitted with support; GED under 21 must submit Scores and scholarships Yes, scores can secure higher awards Official page www.uwyo.edu →
Vanderbilt University	TN	Private university	Test optional	Required from fall 2029
Superscore Yes, both Policy timing Required starting fall 2029 Official page admissions.vanderbilt.edu →
Vassar College	NY	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, highest section scores Official page www.vassar.edu →
Villanova University	PA	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Homeschooled more than one full year must submit scores Superscore Yes, both Official page www.villanova.edu →
Virginia Tech	VA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Scores and scholarships Eligible for scholarships without scores Policy timing Through fall 2028 Official page www.vt.edu →
Wake Forest University	NC	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Official page admissions.wfu.edu →
Washington State University	WA	Public university	Test free	None announced
Conditions and exceptions Scores not required and not used in admission decisions Policy timing March 2021 Official page admission.wsu.edu →
Washington University in St. Louis	MO	Private university	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page admissions.washu.edu →
Wellesley College	MA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.wellesley.edu →
Wesleyan University	CT	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Official page www.wesleyan.edu →
West Virginia University	WV	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Conditions and exceptions A few majors and scholarships require scores Scores and scholarships Yes, some scholarships require scores Official page admissions.wvu.edu →
William & Mary	VA	Public university	Test optional	None announced
Scores and scholarships All applicants considered for merit with or without scores Policy timing Extended indefinitely (Mar 2023) Official page www.wm.edu →
Williams College	MA	Liberal arts college	Test optional	None announced
Superscore Yes, both Official page www.williams.edu →
Yale University	CT	Private university	Test required	None announced
Superscore Yes, both; may report highest section scores or ACT composite across administrations Policy timing Tests required since fall 2025 under test flexible; SAT/ACT only starting fall 2027 (2026-27 cycle) Official page admissions.yale.edu →

Required, with conditions means scores are required for some applicants (for example below a GPA threshold, for certain colleges within a university, or with hardship exceptions). Test free means scores are not used in admission decisions.

Quick answers

Which colleges require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027?

Among private colleges, Harvard, Yale, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon (for most colleges) and the University of Miami require scores, some with narrow exceptions. Among public universities, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Augusta, Kennesaw State and Georgia College, all 12 Florida public universities, UT Austin, Ohio State (Columbus), Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn and Purdue require them.

Which Ivy League schools require test scores for fall 2027?

Harvard, Yale, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth and Cornell require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Princeton and Columbia remain test optional for fall 2027 but will require scores starting with fall 2028 applicants.

Is Yale still test flexible?

No. Starting with applicants for fall 2027, Yale requires the SAT or ACT. AP and IB scores no longer satisfy the testing requirement.

Which colleges are bringing back test requirements after fall 2027?

Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame and Claremont McKenna will require scores for fall 2028 applicants, and Vanderbilt for fall 2029. The University of Alabama and UAB will require scores from all applicants starting fall 2028.

Which public universities require scores only below a certain GPA?

The UNC System requires scores below a 2.8 weighted GPA, the University of Alabama below 3.0, LSU and UAB below 3.5, and Arkansas below 3.2. Mississippi State uses GPA thresholds that differ for residents and nonresidents.

Are any colleges test blind?

The University of California and California State University systems and Washington State University do not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.

Should I send scores to a test optional college?

Our advice is to submit when your score is at or above the school’s middle 50 percent range, ideally near the 75th percentile. Several test optional publics, including Arkansas, Nevada, Oklahoma and Georgia State, still use scores for merit scholarships, so a strong score can pay off even where it is optional.

New 2026 guides

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Service Academy Admissions for the Class of 2031 →

Deadlines, nominations, test scores, CLT policies and fitness tests for all five academies.

Need a score that opens more doors?

With more colleges requiring the SAT or ACT, a strong score matters again. ConnectPrep’s tutors target the 75th percentile of your list, and we help you choose between the SAT and the ACT. Check upcoming SAT and ACT test dates.

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Methodology & sources

Every policy was read on the college’s own admissions page or state system regulation on September 26 and 27, 2026, and each row links to the page we used. Several official pages do not name the fall 2027 cycle; in those cases we recorded the current standing policy. We did not rely on third party lists, several of which label Duke, Emory, Northwestern, WashU, Villanova and Columbia as test required for fall 2027 when their official pages say test optional.

Not included yet because we could not confirm them on official pages: the University of Chicago, UMass Amherst and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Policies change often, so confirm with each college before you apply.

Have a correction? Email info@connectprep.com.

This is a ConnectPrep page. It is researched and published by ConnectPrep, an independent tutoring, test prep and admissions advising company based in Westport, Connecticut. ConnectPrep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the colleges listed, the College Board or ACT. Information is checked against official sources as of the date shown, but policies change, so always confirm details directly before you apply or register.

Colleges That Require the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027

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Methodology & sources