Test-Optional Isn’t Going Away–but the College Admissions Landscape is Changing Again

Wait–I thought colleges were test-optional now?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities removed requirements for students to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications. With testing conducted in person and testing sites frequently cancelled or unavailable, many students simply did not have reliable access to an ACT or SAT.

Universities responded by temporarily removing standardized testing requirements. While policies such as “test-optional” and “test-flexible” existed before the pandemic, they became significantly more widespread during pandemic-era admissions cycles. 

For several years, it seemed possible that test-optional admissions might become the new normal.

Now, colleges have had several admissions cycles to evaluate how those policies worked–and some are changing course. 

Which colleges are bringing testing back? 

Each university has its own testing policy, and those policies continue to change.

For example, Yale announced in May of 2026 that it would once again require applicants to submit an ACT or SAT score beginning with the 2026-27 application cycle. Yale had previously had a “test-flexible” policy. 

Cornell, Stanford, and Ohio State have also reinstated standardized testing requirements for students entering in fall 2026 and beyond. 

More changes are coming. Princeton will require ACT or SAT scores for students applying to enter in fall 2028, while Vanderbilt will remain test-optional for students entering in fall 2027 and 2028, but requiring scores again for fall 2029 applicants.

This is not a completely new trend, either. Penn and UT Austin returned to requiring standardized test scores beginning with the 2025 admissions cycle, joining other universities that had already reinstated testing requirements. 

The takeaway? A college that is test-optional today may not necessarily be test-optional when your student applies. 

Why are colleges changing their minds? 

There are several reasons universities have cited for reconsidering their testing policies.

First, several universities have pointed to research suggesting that standardized testing can provide useful information about academic preparedness and future college success when considered alongside grades, rigor, and other application materials. 

Another reason may seem counterintuitive: some universities have concluded that standardized testing can help identify talented students from less-resourced schools. Without test scores, achievement can sometimes be harder to identify among students whose high schools offer fewer advanced courses, extracurricular opportunities, or other advantages.

Test scores are an additional data point in a holistic review. They don’t replace a student’s grades, course rigor, activities, essays, or other application materials. Instead, they give an admissions office one more standardized piece of information to consider within the context of the student’s entire application. 

Finally, test-optional policies created another strategic decision for students and families during an already complicated application process: Should I submit my score or not? Returning to required testing eliminates that particular decision. 

Does this mean every student needs to submit a test score? 

The short answer is no. 

Many universities throughout the United States remain test-optional. For example, The University of Wisconsin Madison has a test optional policy in place through spring of 2028. 

What is noteworthy is that a number of highly selective universities have reinstated testing requirements or announced plans to do so. 

Does that mean that every other college will eventually follow? Not necessarily. But it does mean families should be cautious about assuming that test-optional policies are permanent–or that a policy in place during a student’s freshman or sophomore year will still be in place when that student applies to college. 

So should my student take the ACT?

For many students, taking the ACT at least once is still worthwhile–even if some or most of the colleges they are considering are currently test-optional. 

Having an ACT score gives students considerably more flexibility. If their college list changes and they become interested in a school that requires testing, they already have a score available. At a test-optional school, they can then decide whether submitting that score strengthens their application.

A strong ACT score may also open additional opportunities for competitive programs, honors colleges, and merit scholarships, depending on the university. 

Taking the ACT does not necessarily mean a student has to submit the score everywhere. Instead, it gives them another option when it comes time to build an application strategy. 

Don’t assume “test-optional” means “testing doesn’t matter” 

The terminology surrounding standardized testing can be confusing. On college admissions websites, you may encounter terms such as “test-optional”, “test-blind”, “test-required”.

So what exactly do they mean?

• Test-Required: The student must submit an acceptable standardized assessment (typically an ACT or SAT). 

• Test-Optional: A student can submit an ACT or SAT score, but they do not have to. If a student does submit, a university can consider it when making an admissions and/or scholarship decision. One important caveat: a university may not require a test score for general freshman admissions, but specific programs, colleges, scholarships, or other opportunities have different requirements.

• Test-Flexible: Generally means that a college requires some form of standardized testing, but will accept alternatives to the traditional ACT/SAT. For example, a university might accept an ACT score, 3 AP exam scores, or IB exam results. Because the exact definition varies by institution, students should carefully review each college’s requirements. 

• Test-Free / Test-Blind: ACT or SAT scores are not considered as part of the admissions decision, even if a student submits them. However, a university may still use test scores for other purposes, such as placement or certain scholarships, so families should always review the school’s complete policy. 

The biggest distinction to remember is this: test-optional does not mean test-blind.

At a test-optional college, a strong ACT or SAT score can still become part of a student’s application. At a test-blind college, it cannot. 

What should families do now?

If you have a high school student, constantly changing admissions policies can feel like one more moving target to keep track of. Fortunately, you don’t need to predict what every college will do next. 

Start by building a preliminary college list early. It doesn’t have to be final. The goal is simply to give your student a starting point for making the decisions that follow. 

Next, review the testing and admissions policies for each university individually. Pay particular attention to the policy for your student’s specific entry year, rather than relying on what a college required last year–or even what it requires today. 

From there, your family can make decisions about testing based on your student’s college list, admissions goals, current ACT or SAT performance, scholarship needs, and overall application strategy. 

The college admissions landscape may continue to change, but having a plan early gives students more options to adapt when it does. 

Need more help?

Looking for help building a college list? Need a sounding board on whether to submit an ACT score to a test-optional school? Unsure whether your student should retake the ACT? 

Adaptive Academics can help students and families navigate college admissions decisions from building an initial college list through applications, essays, testing strategy, and final decisions. We’re here to help make the process feel a little less overwhelming–and a lot more intentional. 

Last updated September 2026. Policies change frequently, so be sure to look at the specific institution’s policies.