Ivy+ Schools Revert to Test-Required Policies for 2026–27 Admissions Cycle
Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, MIT, Caltech, Stanford, and Penn will require SAT or ACT scores for applicants, while Princeton remains test-optional for one more year.
June 29, 2026 · 1 min read
In a significant shift for elite college admissions, nine of the most selective universities in the U.S. have announced a return to test-required policies for the 2026–27 application cycle. Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, MIT, Caltech, Stanford, and the University of Pennsylvania will all require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, marking a reversal from the test-optional policies adopted during the pandemic. The change, confirmed in a June 22, 2026 report by [College Planning Centers](https://collegeplanningcenters.com/this-week-in-college-admissions-june-22-2026/), reflects a broader trend toward reinstating standardized testing as a key admissions metric.
Princeton University is the only Ivy League institution delaying the shift, maintaining its test-optional policy for one additional cycle before joining the others in 2027–28. Meanwhile, Columbia University stands apart with a permanent test-optional policy, underscoring divergent approaches within the Ivy+ cohort.
The move has sparked debate among educators and families, with proponents arguing that standardized tests provide a consistent benchmark for evaluating applicants. Critics, however, contend that the shift could disadvantage students from under-resourced schools. For now, the policy changes signal a return to pre-pandemic norms for most elite institutions.
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.