For a brief period, many colleges and universities hopped on the trend of dropping standardized testing requirements for incoming freshmen. However, this trend has reversed just as quickly, and many schools have already reinstated testing, or will be reinstating it in the coming years. Is your top choice among them?
Top Universities That Have Reinstated Testing
The shift back to standardized testing has been most notable among some of the top universities in the country. These schools initially dropped the testing requirements in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing that many students faced significant challenges in accessing testing centers. However, as circumstances have normalized, these universities have chosen to bring back the tests as part of their admissions process.
- Harvard
- Yale
- Dartmouth
- Brown
- Cornell
- Caltech
- Georgetown
- MIT
- Vanderbilt (for the 2027 admission cycle and beyond)
- Purdue
- University of Texas at Austin
- Most Georgia and Florida public universities
- Several other smaller public and private universities
Why Did These Schools Drop Testing?
For many universities, the decision to drop standardized testing was largely driven by the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the height of the pandemic, many students found it difficult or impossible to take the SAT or ACT due to widespread test center closures and public health concerns. As a result, colleges and universities sought to relieve some of the stress and uncertainty by adopting test-optional policies.
In addition to the logistical challenges, there was growing criticism of standardized testing’s role in college admissions. Critics argued that eliminating standardized testing requirements would promote greater equity and diversity in the admissions process and allow for a more holistic evaluation of applicants.
The move away from standardized testing was seen by some as a step toward reducing barriers to higher education. Colleges and universities hoped that by going test-optional, they could attract a more diverse pool of applicants and give students more flexibility in presenting their academic qualifications.
Why Top Schools Brought Testing Back
Despite the initial enthusiasm for test-optional policies, many top universities have reconsidered their stance and reinstated standardized testing requirements. There are several reasons behind this shift.
First, standardized tests like the SAT and ACT provide a consistent and objective measure of academic ability that is difficult to replicate through other means. While high school grades and extracurricular activities are important components of a college application, they can vary significantly depending on the school, district, or state. Standardized tests offer a way to compare students from different educational backgrounds on a level playing field. According to David Deming, a Harvard economist, “When you don’t have test scores, the students who suffer most are those with high grades at relatively unknown high schools, the kind that rarely send kids to the Ivy League. The SAT is their lifeline.”
Test scores, even at universities that don’t require them, often play a significant role in admissions decisions. This is particularly true at highly competitive institutions where applicants’ academic achievements were already outstanding. For many colleges, the absence of standardized test scores made it more challenging to differentiate between similarly qualified candidates. When MIT reinstated their testing requirements, the university admitted the most diverse class in its history. Student test scores supported these admission decisions.
Finally, some universities have argued that reinstating testing requirements helps maintain academic standards and rigor. These schools believe that standardized tests can identify students who are well-prepared for the challenges of college-level coursework, particularly in STEM fields where quantitative skills are crucial. Grade inflation in high schools is a real problem, and standardized test scores are far better predictors of college success than high school grades. By requiring SAT or ACT scores, universities can ensure that incoming students possess the necessary academic foundation to succeed in their programs.
Embrace the Challenge: Why Standardized Testing Matters
With thought leaders and Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale reinstating testing requirements, it is likely that even more prestigious schools will return to using these exams as entry requirements. And that’s a good thing.
I personally think that reinstating standardized testing is a great idea– and I’m not just saying that because I founded Prep Expert! Standardized testing isn’t just about baseline knowledge; it allows colleges to get a sense of your skills, too. The ACT and SAT test your reading comprehension, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and many more skills that predict academic success. Instead of being afraid of standardized testing, students should embrace it for the opportunities it brings, including scholarship money.
Test taking is a skill that anyone can learn, no matter what their educational background is. Here at Prep Expert, we’ve helped thousands of students just like you improve their standardized test scores and get admitted to their top choice schools. Whether you want to prepare for the SAT, study for the ACT, or get the whole package, we have the test prep materials and the score improvement guarantee you need.