For several years, students had been applying without SAT or ACT scores. This test-optional admission model, which emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, gave students flexibility when testing centres shut down and access became uneven.
Many hoped it would mark a permanent shift toward more holistic admissions. But with Princeton’s latest decision, that tide appears to be turning. This move clearly signals that the brief era of test-optional admissions is concluding for elite US schools.
Without further ado, let’s dive in to see what has happened and what this major shift means for you.
Princeton Drops the Bomb on Standardised Tests
Princeton officially announced its return to mandated standardised testing in October 2025.
This new policy will apply to the 2027-28 admission cycle. This applies to first-year and transfer applicants seeking to enrol in the fall of 2028. So, if you’re seeking to enrol in the fall of 2028, you must submit test scores.
Princeton held out longer than most of its peers in making this decision. Dartmouth, Yale, Brown, and Harvard had already reinstated testing requirements by 2024 or 2025. Princeton’s move aligns it with six other Ivy League schools.
The university has made only one specific exception to this rule. Active military personnel will not be required to submit scores. They figure this is fair since they have limited access to testing facilities. This shows that the university is aware of the global testing issues.
What Princeton’s Analysis Says
Princeton did not make a quick decision or a knee-jerk reaction. A robust five-year review of data from the test-optional period made it reverse its decision.
The findings were straightforward and compelling. Princeton observed that students who chose to submit test scores performed better academically. This means these students generally earned higher grades once they were actually enrolled. The academic performance was stronger for the test-submitters than for the non-submitters.
The university concluded that standardised testing is a useful tool. It views the scores as helpful in indicating a student’s potential for academic success at Princeton. This validates the SAT/ACT as a genuine predictor of preparedness for Princeton’s rigorous curriculum. The data shows the test works in forecasting student success within their specific setting.
It is vital to remember, however, that the test is not the final word. Princeton emphasised that admissions decisions are not based on a single element. The test is only one piece of the review process. There are no minimum score requirements for admission to Princeton.
Columbia Remains the Only Ivy League Institution Committed to a Test-Optional Policy
Now that Princeton is back to requiring tests, Columbia now stands completely alone. It is the sole Ivy League school committed to maintaining a test-optional policy indefinitely.
It initially adopted the policy during the pandemic. However, in March 2023, Columbia became the first Ivy to declare its test-optional stance permanent.
A Columbia spokesperson stated that the institution continually reviews its policies. It does so to ensure they align with its goal of attracting strong students who advance knowledge.
Columbia assures applicants who choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged. Its holistic review remains focused on other factors. These include the rigour of a student’s curriculum and their academic achievement. Intellectual curiosity also remains central to the application review process.
This solitary position makes Columbia unique, but it also changes the game. Columbia will now become a magnet for high-achieving applicants who are weak in testing. If a student has phenomenal grades, essays, and extracurriculars but struggles with the SAT/ACT, Columbia is their best bet.
This influx of high-quality non-score applicants means competition will intensify greatly. The bar for non-score components, such as essays and recommendations, will rise much higher at Columbia.
Comparing Princeton’s Policy With Columbia and Other Ivies
Princeton’s decision confirms a major trend across the most selective US institutions. The majority of the Ivy League now requires scores for admission.
Other elite universities reached similar conclusions about predictive validity. Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, and UPenn have all reinstated mandatory testing. These schools mandated testing for earlier cycles, mostly between 2024 and 2026.
The University of Pennsylvania, while requiring tests, offers a hardship waiver option. This waiver is available for students facing difficulties in meeting the requirement.
Yale offers a slightly different, more flexible variation. Their policy is known as “Test-Flexible”. Applicants must submit testing, but they have several score options. Yale accepts the SAT or ACT scores, like the others. But it also accepts Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores.
The trend extends beyond the Ivy League. Top US technical schools are also reinstating requirements. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and Georgetown University all now require standardised testing.
Caltech, for example, looks closely at individual subscores—Math, English, and Reading—within the SAT/ACT, not just the overall composite score.
How Can You Navigate This Shift to Test-Required Policies
If you’re targeting the top seven Ivies, the SAT or ACT is now non-negotiable. This is not about boosting your application with an optional score. It is about meeting a minimum requirement for entry.
That said, here are a few tips to help you navigate this shift to test-required policies.
1. Get Clarity Early
You need to know exactly what each university wants. Princeton now requires the SAT or ACT. Yale has a flexible policy, accepting AP or IB scores instead of the SAT/ACT.
Understanding these nuances saves you time and stress. If you excel in your IB or AP classes, those scores might be enough for Yale. Research the requirements for your target schools right now. This is your first and most important step. Don’t waste time preparing for the wrong exam.
Then, choose your primary exam: the SAT or the ACT. Both are accepted equally by all Ivies. To decide, take a full diagnostic test for both exams. See which format feels more natural to you.
If you are better at managing time and strong in science, the ACT might be a better fit. If you prefer reading comprehension and complex vocabulary, choose the SAT.
Finally, look at the required submission deadlines. For example, if applying Early Decision to UPenn, you need scores from tests taken by November. If you wait too long, scores might not arrive in time. Getting clarity early sets you on a stress-free path.
2. Plan Your Testing Timeline Strategically
One of the biggest advantages of Princeton’s early announcement is time. Students currently in high school have years to prepare before the 2027–28 requirement kicks in. That’s good news; you can plan your timeline intentionally rather than scrambling at the last minute.
Start your preparation at least 6 to 8 months before you plan to sit for the exam. Don’t wait until the last few months.
Plan to take the exam at least twice, perhaps once in the summer and once in the fall. This allows you a retake if your first attempt falls short. It also helps you leverage the superscoring policy.
Superscore basically means combining your highest section scores from different test dates.
Cornell, for instance, specifically considers the ACT-provided superscore and your highest section scores. This policy is a huge advantage. It removes the pressure of performing perfectly on a single day. You can focus on math for the first time and reading the next.
3. Prep Smart, Not Just Hard
Prepping smart is more about quality than sheer hours of studying. Target your prep based on your diagnostic results.
Practice under timed conditions to accurately simulate the pressure of the actual exam environment. Time management is the most common challenge in these exams. Practice pacing yourself strictly during mock tests to finish all questions within the allotted time.
The College Board’s official Bluebook app is a great resource for practice. This simulates the exact digital test experience. For the adaptive test format, accuracy in the first module is critical. Your performance there determines the difficulty of the questions you face next. Go beyond simple rote memorisation; top schools seek critical thinkers, not just pattern-solvers.
To elevate your prep, consider expert guidance. Prep7Edu offers personalised coaching, adaptive practice plans, and mentorship from experienced educators who know how to turn your potential into top performance.
Our programs blend strategy with smart analytics, helping you prep efficiently, track progress, and stay motivated.
4. Don’t Treat Scores as Destiny
It is easy to focus too much on the number. However, the Ivy League still uses a holistic review process. Standardised testing is one element, not the whole decision. The test score is a predictor, not a final verdict on your potential.
Princeton and Stanford both stressed that they consider applications in context. This means they look at your background, educational pathway, and family responsibilities.
Achieving a great score despite limited resources will only demonstrate your incredible determination. This contextual review works in your favour. A slightly lower score won’t automatically eliminate you. A high GPA, challenging curriculum, powerful essays, and strong extracurriculars remain vital. Your passion and intellectual curiosity are still central to the review.
The End of Test-Optional? The Big Picture for Future Applicants
Does this mean the entire US system is going back to required testing? Not at all.
For the majority of the US higher education system, the test-optional policy remains strong. Nearly 80% of US colleges and universities will remain test-optional for the upcoming 2025 admissions cycle.
What we are seeing is a clear bifurcation of the admissions landscape. The highly selective schools—the Ivies, Stanford, MIT—have concluded the experiment. They now require scores because they found them necessary for predicting academic success. The test score has returned to its role as a necessary qualifier for the absolute top tier.
However, even with the score requirement back, context is still king. Princeton emphasised that they consider all information within a student’s individual context. This is good news for Indian students with limited resources.
In short, treat the SAT or ACT as a required component, start preparing early, and plan your application logistics meticulously. You have the time and the ability to succeed. Now, you just need to execute your plan.
