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According to the data, approximately 30% of the Class of 2026 did not submit test scores in 2022. increase from the previous year — the highest among the Ivy League schools that published SAT score information. In 2023, Penn announced it would continue its undergraduate test-optional admissions policy for the 2023-24 application cycle.
Test-optional policies took off during the Covid 19 pandemic, though some institutions, mostly small liberal arts colleges, had adopted these policies in the early 2000s. Recently, some of the most selective colleges in the nation have been reverting to test-required policies. It would not be surprising if others follow suit.
Scores Some students operate with the misconception that a super strong SAT or ACT score can make up for weak grades. Carnegie Mellon is test-optional for Fall 2025 undergraduate applicants, so submitting SAT or ACT results is not required. To stand out, you should be aiming for an SAT at or above 1560, or an ACT score of 35 or 36.
Does Stanford superscore the SAT ? In this blog, youll find out how Stanford looks at SAT scores, what score you should aim for, and how to use the superscore policy to boost your chances. How Does Stanford Superscore the SAT? Stanford does not have a strict cutoff score for the SAT, but the competition is tough.
The University of Miami has announced a significant policy update for prospective students. Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.
For Fall 2025 applicants, Cornell remains test-optional, giving students the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, this policy will change for Fall 2026 admissions, when standardized test scores will once again be required. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.
The SAT is now fully digital, marking a significant shift for students preparing for the exam. In this blog, well break down everything you need to know about the digital SAT: changes in format and timing, how adaptive testing impacts your score, and essential prep tips. What Is the Digital SAT? Is the Digital SAT Easier?
UChicago is one of the most popular colleges amongst our clients, and its one of the best places to study things like econ, public policy, business, and math. Scores UChicago is test-optional for the 2025-2026 season, but lets be honest nothing in college admissions is ever truly optional.
Scores For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Penn applicants have to submit test scores. This is a new policy. For the past few years, UPenn was test-optional; however, that policy has ended. However, the 50th percentile scores for the SAT were 1540, and for the ACT were 35.
Georgetown is an internationally-leading research and academic university aimed at preparing the next generation of global citizens, with a particular focus on service, policy, and politics. Scores All first-year applicants to Georgetown are required to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
2026 55,000 6% 2025 56,333 5.7% A big reason for this surge is the rise of test-optional policies and increased global access to higher education. 2026 47,205 4.4% 2026 7,795 15.6% According to UPenn’s 2023-2024 Common Data Set, the mid-50% SAT range for admitted students is 1500–1570, with the ACT range sitting at 34–35.
Until the Class of 2026 admissions cycle, there was information about legacy on the first-year applicants information page on the Penn website. We advise legacy applicants to aim for an SAT Evidence-based Reading + Writing score of 750 or higher, and an SAT Math score of 770 or higher.
Scores USC is currently test-optional , and that policy is expected to continue through at least 2026. For reference, admitted USC students usually score 34+ on the ACT and 1500+ on the SAT. But lets be honest: if you have strong scores, you should absolutely submit them.
Scores Like most universities, the Cornell testing policy has been shifting over the past few years and through the Covid pandemic. Based on the data , strong applicants need to submit an ACT score at or above 35 or an SAT score at or above 1520. So, focus, buckle down, and build the grades Cornell wants to see.
For the Class of 2026, 10% of the admitted and enrolled students are legacies. So, all applicants, including legacies, are required to submit standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT. This has contributed to Dartmouth maintaining their legacy admissions preference. Or they can submit an ACT of 34 or higher.
Scores In 2024, Mich formally adopted a test-optional policy when it comes to submitting standardized test scores. This was a bold move, but it doesnt exempt you from studying for the ACT or SAT. Essays While the Mich essays for the 2025-2026 application cycle will not come out until late summer, we know what they typically require.
Scores The SAT and ACT are important, required, and nearly required to be perfect. If you do not have an SAT Math score over 760 and an SAT ERW score over 740, adding up to a composite at or over 1550, it is very unlikely that you will be accepted unless you pull off an ACT score of a 35 or 36.
They say the policy is test flexible, which means AP and IB scores are accepted, but we dont think thats a successful strategy. For the best shot at success, you need to take the SAT or ACT, and you need to aim for the highest score you can get. Straight As arent just impressive. Theyre expected.
Scores While many of the top-tier schools in the United States have reinstated their pre-COVID policies required SAT or ACT scores for applicants, Columbia has gone against the current. They do not require you to submit an ACT or an SAT score, but that doesnt mean that you are off the hook.
Acceptance Rates for the Class of 2028 Scores UNC is remaining somewhat test optional for the future: For students applying for the 2025-2026 academic year, students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 scale) are required to submit either an ACT or SAT score. or above (on a 4.0 scale) are not required to submit a test score.
Scores Princeton has not announced whether it is keeping its test-optional policy for the 2025-2026 application cycle. Last year, the 50th percentile among those who submitted scores was 1530 on the SAT or 35 for the ACT. We know it's a lot to ask for, but it's what will make you a strong candidate for a school like Princeton.
In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. Meanwhile, Carleton College has chosen to permanently adopt a test-optional policy following a five-year pilot program.
Duke is especially well-regarded for its programs in public policy, biomedical engineering, and pre-law, and with acceptance rates dropping each year, its only getting more competitive. In 2025, their regular decision acceptance rate was under 5%, while ED acceptance sat at 12.8%.
The ACTlike its counterpart, the SAThas long served as a key indicator of academic readiness for college-bound students, despite the growing number of test-optional policies. STEP 2: If youve taken a full-length practice ACT and SAT, use our score converter to help determine your stronger test.
Scores UNC has a kind of confusing testing policy. Were not sure why theyve added this policy, but oh well! Solid SAT or ACT scores help prove your academic readiness, especially if youre applying from a school without much name recognition. Your GPA and class rigor need to reflect that. If you have above a 2.8 were admitted.
While many universities have announced post-pandemic admissions policies that re-instate mandatory standardized test scores, there is still no consensus. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. Test-optional? Test-flexible? Test-blind? Test-neutral? Test-recommended? Test-aware?
Send any updated SAT or ACT test scores, if applicable. Shout out to the University of Miami, which only announced in January 2025 that it would be requiring test scores for applicants to most majors applying this fall (Class of 2026). Request that your guidance office send your first semester grade report.
However, historically, the university admitted 3,843 students for the Class of 2027, 3,873 for the Class of 2026, and 4,453 for the Class of 2025. 2026 34,261 11.3% For the Class of 2028, applications exceeded 34,000, with many students hoping skipping SAT/ACT scores might boost their chances. 2026 29,733 11.1%
Data Summary Check The median total SAT score is 1030. Note Reference [1] Check Among popular colleges, New York University had the highest SAT scores in the 25th percentile, with enrollees in the bottom quartile scoring 1470. Table of Contents What Is a Bad SAT Score Overall? What's a Bad SAT Score for Local State Schools?
2026 51,558 7.2% Test-optional policies introduced during the pandemic broadened the applicant pool, encouraging students who might not have applied otherwise. 2026 47,013 5.6% 2026 4545 24.3% Make sure your application stands out, and take the time to review Northwesterns financial aid policies if costs are a concern.
The new ACT will roll out online in spring 2025 and in school in spring 2026. the company behind the ACT, announced it's making the science section optional and the core test shorter — from three to two hours — starting in spring 2025 for online testing and spring 2026 for in-school testing. "As The ACT Education Corp.,
Johns Hopkins University will reintroduce standardized testing requirements beginning with those seeking admission for the fall 2026 semester to the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences or the Whiting School of Engineering. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.
2026 12,539 6,184 49.3% 2026 100,662 12,539 12.5% NYUs popularity has skyrocketed thanks to its strong reputation, better financial aid options , and test-optional policies. NYU Early Decision policy If you apply to NYU through Early Decision and get accepted, you’re expected to enroll. 2026 8,361 1,712 20.5%
University of Florida Acceptance Rate Trends University of Florida Early Action and Regular Decision Policies How to Get Accepted into University of Florida University of Florida Transfer Acceptance Rate University of Florida Waitlist Acceptance Rate Frequently Asked Questions Takeaways What Is the University of Floridas Acceptance Rate?
More than 59,000 students applied to Penn this cycle, the largest first-year applicant pool in Penn’s history, and over 4,500 more applications than the Class of 2026 and over 3,000 more than the Class of 2025. In January, Penn Admissions announced the extension of the test-optional policy through the 2023-24 admissions cycle.
If another school youre applying early to has restrictions like a single-choice, restrictive, or binding policy, youll need to respect their rules. 2026 14,781 4.7% 2026 19,195 3.3% Test scores MIT requires either the SAT or the ACT , and they dont need the writing sections of either exam. Heres the catch, though.
At the same time, over 23,000 students take advantage of its 11 academic divisions and popular graduate programs in law, business, and policy. Policies like test-optional admissions during the pandemic made it easier for more students to apply, but the competition is fierce with so few spots available. Submit either SAT or ACT scores.
2026 37,522 5.4% UChicago Early Decision policy Both ED I and ED II are binding. Target test scores UChicago is test-optional , so you dont have to submit SAT or ACT scores. Shooting for a 1560 SAT score (or 35 ACT score) can help your case. Its getting tougher to get in every year. 2027 38,631 4.8% 2025 37,977 6.5%
Of these chart-toppers, Pomona College had the lowest Class of 2026 acceptance rate, 6.03%. However, unlike the Ivies , for which overall acceptance rates sat below 7% across the board in the 2021-22 application cycle, some of the top-ranking liberal arts colleges exhibit more generous numbers.
2026 26,509 12.9% For the Class of 2028, applications soared past 29,943, partly fueled by students hoping that skipping SAT/ACT scores would improve their chances. 2026 16,826 10.4% 2026 9,683 17.3% This means that submitting ACT or SAT scores wont be mandatory when you apply. 2027 28,353 12.4% 2025 23,642 15.1%
2026 31,443 8.7% 2027 28,106 7% 2026 28,718 7.7% 2026 2,725 18.8% Rice University Early Decision policy Rice University gives you two Early Decision (ED) options. Target test scores Rice University doesnt have a strict SAT or ACT requirement, but if youre submitting scores, they need to be impressive.
According to Forbes , many of these schools did so to help combat the effects of COVID, but as COVID cases have been on a drastic decline schools are standing by this policy for a multitude of reasons. Also, test-optional policies are a way to help students who lack access or affordability to test prep courses and tutors.
After the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult or impossible for many students to take the ACT and the SAT, the vast majority of American colleges and universities chose to institute temporary (or, in some cases, permanent) test-optional policies. With that in mind, please enjoy the list!
2026 50,060 4.6% 2026 42,772 3.5% Looking at the past decade, the Early Action acceptance rate has gradually dipped, mirroring the rise in applications across the board: Yale Class Total Early Action Applications Early Action Acceptance Rate 2028 7,856 9% 2027 7,744 10% 2026 7,288 11% 2025 7,939 10.5% for the Class of 2019.
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