BestColleges

APRIL 15, 2024

Harvard has reinstituted its standardized test requirement beginning next fall. Studies suggest standardized tests can help increase socioeconomic diversity. Add Harvard to the list of universities reinstating standardized test requirements. Exclamation mark. Don't send it. We won't see it.

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Discovery College Consulting

MARCH 4, 2025

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.

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently highlighted the universitys automatic-admit policy, viewed as an affirmative action alternative but also a major factor in UT Austins increasing selectivity. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. This decision will be communicated to applicants by January 15.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 26, 2025

Stanford is, once again, requiring standardized tests as part of the application process. You want as close to an 800 in each section as you can get to. Like with grades, there is not a minimum SAT or ACT score for consideration, but functionally there is. Simply not sending scores is not an option.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 6, 2025

Offering a preference or boost to legacy candidates is, after all, pretty standard at top school in the US. This has been their policy for a long time for at least two decades, and up to 50+ years and they have no intention of switching things up. However, MIT does not subscribe to this norm. MIT is very clear. Learn more.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 9, 2025

Scores Yale requires test scores from all applicants, and while the policy is test flexible , that doesnt apply to you, legacy. Yale brought back standardized testing, along with a few other Ivies, because its the number one predictor of college success.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 18, 2025

However, legacy policies at Princeton persist and we believe strongly in helping students to get every boost they have access to as they strive to get into their dream school. GPA Distribution of the Class of 2028 Scores When you are applying to Princeton as a legacy, your standardized test scores need to be nearly perfect.

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The Koppelman Group

MARCH 25, 2025

Brown is interesting because in 2023, they decided to form a committee to determine if they should make changes to Early Decision, testing policies, and legacy admissions. The vast majority of admitted students for the Class of 2028 got higher than a 1500 or a 35 on their standardized tests, which means you should too.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 13, 2025

Mich does not have a policy of giving legacies preference. With shifting policies, navigating elite college admissions can be tricky. And there is a contradiction baked into the Mich policy. Scores Mich is currently test optional, but they say that they will review the policy on an ongoing basis.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 12, 2025

The idea that legacy students are held to the same standard should be a given we see this at most other top colleges but its not because Vanderbilt believes in creating a more equitable process. And again, thats not even the top 25% every student in the 75th-100th percentile is getting a perfect score on their standardized tests.

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Policies Standardized Testing Extracurricular Letters of Recommendation 52

The Koppelman Group

APRIL 5, 2025

Class Rank of the Class of 2028 Scores: Like most colleges and universities, Dartmouth suspended mandatory submission of standardized test scores as a part of the application process during the Covid pandemic. So, all applicants, including legacies, are required to submit standardized test scores, like the SAT or ACT.

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Policies Standardized Testing Ivy League SAT 52

Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

High School Profile: A document supplied by high schools to colleges that summarizes the school’s grading system, course offerings, standardized test score ranges, and other important data. Test Optiona l: A policy adopted by some colleges where submitting SAT or ACT scores is not mandatory.

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The Koppelman Group

APRIL 20, 2025

Strong standardized test scores are a great way to spotlight focus and dedication. For the Class of 2028 and Class of 2027, strong test scores were a 1500 or above on the SAT or a 34 or above on the ACT. However, that doesnt mean that legacy applicants should stop studying or skip sending scores in.

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BestColleges

AUGUST 27, 2024

Johns Hopkins University has reinstated standardized test requirements. Hopkins says test scores more accurately predict academic success and enable disadvantaged students to demonstrate their potential. The decision follows similar policy changes at Ivy League colleges.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

As of this morning, Yale is the second Ivy League school to require standardized test scores, following Dartmouth’s lead and citing research that test-optional policies adversely affect high-scoring low-income students. This new policy will begin with students applying to enter in the fall of 2025.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

The landscape of college admissions continues to shift as universities re-evaluate the role of standardized testing in the application process. 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.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

won’t require standardized test scores. The rise of the best test optional colleges is changing the game, giving students new ways to stand out in the admissions process. If you have test anxiety, decided to skip the SAT or ACT, or didn’t quite hit the scores you hoped for, you’re not out of luck.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. While it may be beneficial to take both tests, this blog will answer the question, “Do you need both ACT and SAT for college? While both are standardized tests, there are a few key differences between them.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

These were the first applicants to apply under Yales new test-flexible policy which requires at least one ACT, SAT, AP, or IB set of test scores. The Class of 2029 saw a 14% decrease in early applications, likely due to the implementation of the new testing policy. Looking to raise your standardized testing scores?

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Transfer students may still take advantage of a test-optional policy. Applicants to the Class of 2029 will need to submit an SAT or ACT score although there are some exceptions for those unable to take these exams. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score. Interested in reading more about Brown?

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

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.

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Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

Changes to standardized testing requirements Some colleges that have maintained test-optional policies include Princeton, the University of Maryland, and Texas A&M. However, many of the most competitive schoolsincluding Caltech, Stanford, and Cornellhave reinstated testing requirements.

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Renewed Interest in Test Scores For the first time since 2021, more applicants submitted test scores than did not, despite widespread test-optional policies. This trend signals a growing perception of the value of standardized testing, as students aim to bolster their applications.

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

I avoid knowing those numbers specifically because they dont really signify much these days; plus I dont want to give the impression that we see prospective students as potential test scores in next years app pool. Fully opposed to testing of any kind? So how are we really using those scores? It depends!

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Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 24, 2025

The number of early applications received fell by over 1,000, likely due to the announcement last year that Brown would once again require applicants to submit standardized test scores. This surge is likely on account of a brand new need-blind review policy for international students. Try Application Boot Camp.

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Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 17, 2025

ENROLL NOW TTA Top Tip: Despite Duke University being test-optional, we strongly encourage our students to prepare for and take standardized tests whenever possible due to the ever-changing attitude of selective institutions towards standardized testing policies.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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College Kickstart

APRIL 19, 2020

With more colleges shifting to test-optional admissions, we're pleased to introduce two new capabilities in College Kickstart to help you stay on top of the changes and consider when applying test-optional makes sense for you. Active tracking of test-optional schools. Personalized analysis.

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Marks Education

APRIL 23, 2025

AP Exams are standardized tests administered by the College Board that measure your mastery of the college-level coursework youve been learning in your AP course. Another benefit is that AP exams provide a national benchmark for academic performance thats indifferent to school specific grading policies.

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Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. In this blog, we will cover the current data on scores year after year, factors associated with the changes, and how to best approach these standardized tests in light of recent data.

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Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 9, 2025

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. As we move into the 2025 testing season, a year already marked by significant shifts in higher education , the ACT itself is also undergoing notable changes.

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Marks Education

APRIL 16, 2025

This includes explaining standardized tests (SAT, ACT) , essays , recommendation letters , the Common Application. Review Academic Records and Test Scores: Well examine your transcripts, standardized test scores, and any other academic credentials that you submit to us. college application.

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Top Tier Admissions

JULY 22, 2024

As the school year approaches, it’s time to finalize your standardized test prep plan and mark your calendar with upcoming SAT and ACT test dates. Not sure which test is your forte? In an ideal world, we recommend beginning one-on-one test prep a few months ahead of your scheduled test date.

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BestColleges

JANUARY 30, 2024

A Harvard-based study says high standardized test scores equate to greater academic success at Ivy-Plus colleges. Most highly selective colleges remain temporarily test-optional. Emphasizing test scores can impede efforts to maintain economic and racial diversity. By contrast, high school GPAs have less predictive power.

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Marks Education

APRIL 9, 2025

That process often includes a review of your college transcript, more essays, and sometimes a standardized test related to your prerequisite coursework. Score Reporting or Test-Optional Once youve decided whether youd like to focus on direct admit or pre-program track schools, you should look into each schools testing policy.

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BestColleges

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

The lack of standardized testing places more weight on nonacademic factors like guidance counselor recommendations and nonacademic ratings by admissions officers, which are biased toward higher-income students, according to the study. Students from a U.S.

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