SAT, ACT and test policies in 2026

For a few years, it looked like standardized tests might fade from college admissions. Instead, the landscape has split. A growing group of selective colleges requires scores again, many colleges remain test-optional, and some don’t look at scores at all. Meanwhile, both the SAT and the ACT have been redesigned. Here’s what students applying in the 2026–27 cycle, and those coming after them, need to know.

The tests today

Colleges accept both tests equally. Take a full-length official practice test of each and focus on the one where you score higher and feel more comfortable.

The three kinds of policy

Test-required

Colleges that require the SAT or ACT for students applying in the 2026–27 cycle include Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Caltech, Georgetown and the University of Texas at Austin, along with Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and Ohio State. Several more have announced requirements for future cycles: Princeton, Columbia and Notre Dame starting with students applying in fall 2027, and Vanderbilt for the class entering in fall 2029.

Many of these colleges have said their research found that scores, considered in the context of a student’s school and opportunities, helped them identify talented students, including those from less advantaged backgrounds.

Test-optional

Most colleges remain test-optional: you decide whether to submit scores, and colleges say you won’t be disadvantaged if you don’t. Some “recommend” testing, which is worth taking seriously.

Test-free

A smaller group, including the University of California and California State University systems, doesn’t consider SAT or ACT scores for admission at all.

Should you submit at a test-optional college?

A practical approach:

1. Find the college’s middle 50% range in its Common Data Set or class profile. Remember that at test-optional colleges, these figures reflect only students who submitted scores, so they skew high.
2. At or above the median: submitting usually strengthens your application.
3. Between the 25th percentile and the median: a judgment call. Consider the rest of your record and your school’s context.
4. Below the 25th percentile: often better to apply without scores, unless the college recommends testing or your score is strong for your school.

Our guide to reading a Common Data Set shows where to find these numbers.

Superscoring and score choice

• Superscoring: many colleges combine your best section scores across test dates. That can make a retake worthwhile.
• Score Choice: you can often choose which test dates to send. A few colleges ask for all scores, so check each policy.
• Self-reporting: many colleges let you self-report scores on your application and send official reports only if you enroll.

When to test

• Sophomore or junior fall: the PSAT/NMSQT gives you practice and, as a junior, a chance at National Merit recognition.
• Junior spring: a popular time for a first official test, after most of the relevant math.
• Summer or early senior fall: a retake, early enough for Early Decision and Early Action deadlines.

Plan backward from your earliest deadline, and leave room for one or two attempts.

Lowering the cost and getting support

Both the SAT and the ACT offer fee waivers to eligible lower-income students, and an SAT fee waiver can unlock college application fee waivers too. Free official practice is available from both testing organizations, including Khan Academy’s official SAT practice. If you need testing accommodations, start the request through your school early. See our guides to fee waivers and testing accommodations.

Our free college assessment builds a testing plan into your timeline, and Admit Preparation advises on submitting scores college by college.