Elite Colleges Revert to SAT/ACT Requirements for 2026-2027 Admissions

In a notable reversal of pandemic-era policies, six of the eight Ivy League schools and other elite universities have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements for applicants targeting the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. This marks the end of the widespread test-optional approach that dominated admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to [Principia Education](https://www.principiaeducation.com/blog/which-colleges-require-the-sat-or-act-in-2026-the-new-test-optional-reality), most reinstatements mandate that students submit either their ACT or SAT scores, while Yale has adopted a test-flexible policy, still requiring standardized test results but allowing alternatives like AP or IB scores. [Empowerly](https://empowerly.com/applications/sat-act-requirements-at-top-colleges/) reports that the shift reflects a broader trend among top colleges, with institutions citing the predictive value of standardized tests for academic success.

The move has sparked debate, as highlighted by [Carnegie Prep](https://www.carnegieprep.com/college-admissions/college-admissions-testing-policy-updates/), with proponents arguing that standardized tests provide a common metric for evaluating applicants, while critics worry about equity and access for underrepresented students. Notably, the University of California system remains an outlier, continuing its ban on considering SAT or ACT scores due to legal and equity concerns, as noted by [Ivy Coach](https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/standardized-testing/test-optional-colleges-list/).

For students targeting these schools, the first SAT or ACT attempt should ideally occur in March, May, or June 2026, with follow-up tests in August or later if needed, as advised by [EZ Scholar](https://www.ezscholar.org/post/sat-reinstated-2026-admissions-shift-at-elite-us-colleges).