For a few years, it looked like the SAT and ACT might be on their way out. Pandemic-era disruptions pushed hundreds of colleges to go test-optional, and many families hoped the shift would be permanent. It wasn’t. For the Class of 2027, standardized testing is back at some of the most prestigious universities in the country—and the strategic implications are significant.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Schools Went Test-Optional in the First Place
When COVID-19 shut down testing centers in 2020, colleges had no choice but to waive test requirements. What followed was a years-long natural experiment: could colleges evaluate applicants fairly without standardized scores? For some schools, the answer was yes. For others, the data told a different story. Research began to show that test scores, when combined with GPA and other factors, remained among the strongest predictors of college academic performance — and that test-optional policies were in some cases making it harder, not easier, to identify high-potential students from under-resourced high schools.
Which Schools are Requiring SAT/ACT Test Scores in 2027
Several flagship universities and elite colleges have reinstated standardized testing requirements. Notable schools include:
- MIT returned to test-required in 2022 and has been vocal about why; their research showed test scores were the single best predictor of success in their curriculum, particularly for first-generation and low-income students.
- Yale University reinstated test requirements for the Class of 2029.
- Dartmouth College returned to test-required in 2024, citing internal research showing scores helped identify talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Brown University reinstated testing requirements.
- University of Texas at Austin returned to test-required.
- Georgetown University remained test-required throughout.
- Purdue University returned to test-required.
- University of Florida returned to test-required.
- Georgia Tech returned to test-required.
Schools that Remain Test-Optional or Test-Blind (As of 2026)
Many strong schools continue to offer test-optional policies. These include a number of highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities. Notably:
- University of Chicago (test-free for undergrad)
- California State University and University of California campuses remain test-blind, meaning standardized test scores are NOT used as a metric for admissions
- A large number of smaller liberal arts colleges
Should Your Student Submit Scores?
This is the question families ask most often, and the answer depends on the student — not just the school’s policy.
A few guidelines:
1. If the school is test-required, there’s no choice — prepare and submit.
2. If the school is test-optional and your score is at or above the school’s middle 50% range, submit it. A strong score is almost always an asset.
3. If your score is below the 25th percentile for admitted students, seriously consider not submitting — even at test-optional schools. A score that works against you doesn’t help.
4. If you’re applying for merit aid, check the school’s scholarship criteria carefully. Many merit scholarships — even at test-optional schools — still use test scores as part of their award calculations. Submitting a strong score could mean the difference between a $10,000 and a $40,000 award.
5. Students with strong scores and modest GPAs should almost always submit. A 34 ACT can reframe a 3.3 GPA in ways that no essay can.
What this Means for Your College List
If your student is a strong test-taker, the return of test-required policies at elite schools is good news. It narrows the pool of “qualified” applicants and gives high scorers a meaningful edge. If your student struggles with standardized testing, it becomes more important than ever to be strategic about which schools make the list — and to prioritize test prep early.
For the Class of 2027, our advice is simple: take the test seriously, take it early (ideally by the end of junior year), and know where you stand before finalizing your college list.
Looking for More Guidance?
Not sure whether your scores are competitive at your target schools? We help families navigate exactly these decisions. Reach out to schedule a strategy session.
