Yale Ends Test-Flexible Policy, Returns to Test-Required Admissions for Fall 2026
Yale University reverses its test-flexible policy, requiring standardized tests for all applicants starting with the Class of 2027.
June 30, 2026 · 1 min read
Yale University has reversed its test-flexible admissions policy and will require standardized test scores from all applicants beginning with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle (Class of 2027). This policy shift, announced via social media on June 10, 2026, represents one of the most significant changes in elite college admissions this year.
The decision marks a departure from Yale's pandemic-era test-flexible approach, which allowed applicants to submit AP or IB exam scores in lieu of SAT/ACT results. According to [Tineo College Prep's Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZbMcX_PXFR/), Yale joins a growing number of selective institutions returning to test-required policies after several years of experimentation with test-optional formats.
This development comes as [Compass Prep reports](https://www.compassprep.com/testing-spotlight/) that multiple elite institutions are 'returning to test-required admissions policies beginning with the Fall 2026 application cycle.' The move suggests a broader reassessment of testing policies among selective universities following the temporary disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Admissions experts anticipate this change will particularly impact applicants from under-resourced high schools, who may face renewed pressure to demonstrate standardized test proficiency. The policy takes immediate effect for students applying this fall for admission in 2026-2027.
This analysis may include estimates and projections compiled from public and primary sources. Figures can change — verify deadlines and policies with each school before acting on them.