Best Colleges That Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused almost all schools to adopt test-optional policies. However, now that the world has opened up again, the college testing landscape is changing as well, with many schools reverting to requiring standardized test scores. In fact,  several top universities, such as Harvard, UPenn, and Stanford, are bringing back SAT and ACT requirements for the 2025–2026 cycle.

In this blog, we’ll list down the different top colleges that require SAT, why some schools are returning to test-required admissions, and how you can prepare if SAT or ACT scores are part of your application. These insights can help you know what to expect before you start sending out applications.

• What Are the Top Colleges That Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2025?
• Which Colleges Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2025?
• Latest Trends in Test Policies
• How to Prepare When Applying to Colleges That Require SAT/ACT
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Top Colleges That Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2025?

If you’re applying to college in 2025, understanding which schools require SAT or ACT scores changes how you plan your entire application strategy. Some of the most selective universities have brought back test requirements, while a few haven’t dropped them yet. 

Using the latest U.S. News rankings, we narrowed it down to the top 20 schools in each category so you know where testing plays a major role.

Top national universities that require SAT/ACT

Using the most recent U.S. News Top University rankings, here are the top national universities that require standardized testing for the 2025–2026 cycle.

Looking at this list, you can see that several of the highest-ranked national universities, including MIT, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins, and Penn, now require SAT or ACT scores again. Research from MIT shows that, when reviewed in context, test scores help admissions officers “better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants.” It helps them identify students with good academic potential, even if they come from more socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Top National Liberal Arts Colleges That Require the SAT or ACT

Meanwhile, based on the most recent U.S. News National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings, these schools require standardized testing for the 2025–2026 admissions cycle.

This list shows that only a very small number of top National Liberal Arts Colleges still require the SAT or ACT, and all of them are U.S. service academies. They maintain testing requirements because their admissions process is tied to federal standards, military readiness, and structured academic and physical benchmarks.

All other top liberal arts colleges have remained test-optional or test-flexible, placing greater emphasis on transcripts, course rigor, recommendations, essays, and extracurricular engagement.

Which Colleges Require SAT/ACT Scores in 2025?

Trying to keep track of which schools still expect SAT or ACT scores in 2025 can be one of the most confusing parts of the current admissions landscape. To make things easier, this list puts together colleges and universities that require test scores:

Latest Trends in Test Policies

Over the last few years, testing policies have shifted more than most students expected. After the pandemic pushed nearly all colleges into temporary test-optional mode, many highly selective universities are now reversing course and reinstating SAT and ACT requirements for 2025 and beyond.

Why colleges are reinstating SAT/ACT requirements

One of the biggest reasons is GPA variability. With grade inflation rising and grading standards differing widely between high schools, colleges have found it harder to compare transcripts fairly. Two applicants might have similar GPAs, but their academic environments could be completely different. Standardized tests give admissions teams a consistent benchmark across thousands of applications.

Another factor is equity and access. During the pandemic, test-optional policies were designed to reduce barriers for students who couldn’t test safely. But some schools later found a downside: without scores, high-resource applicants could rely more heavily on expensive activities, private coaching, or polished essays.

Several universities, like MIT, reported that test scores actually helped them spot strong students from under-resourced backgrounds.

How Ivy League policies have shifted since the pandemic

Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown have officially reinstated SAT/ACT requirements after several years of being fully test-optional. Each has cited similar reasons: improved prediction of academic success, better comparisons across diverse high schools, and stronger insight into applicants from underserved communities.

Other Ivies have adjusted at their own pace, some reinstated testing earlier, while others extended test-optional policies but still heavily encourage scores. The overall direction, though, is unmistakable: elite universities are leaning back toward standardized testing as a key part of evaluating academic readiness.

What this means for students

For anyone applying in 2025 and beyond, keeping up with these policy changes is crucial. Knowing which schools require test scores again helps you plan your testing strategy early and gives you time to retake the test if needed.

How to Prepare When Applying to Colleges That Require SAT/ACT

If standardized testing is required, your approach needs to be intentional and structured. The steps below focus on building strong scores while balancing the rest of your application.

1. Start your prep early and build a real study plan.

If a school on your list requires test scores, you don’t want to cram. Give yourself at least 2–4 months of consistent prep. Break your study plan into weekly goals, like finishing one SAT practice test every other week or tackling an ACT math section on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Early planning also helps you figure out whether you need outside support, like a tutor or structured course.

2. Set target scores based on the schools you’re applying to.

Every test-required school has score ranges you can use as a benchmark. For example, MIT’s middle 50% SAT score range is typically around 1520–1580, while the University of Florida’s is closer to 1300–1460.

Once you know the numbers, set a personal score goal that gets you comfortably into—or above—your target school’s range. This helps you stay focused and measure progress during practice.

3. Register for a test date early to avoid stress later.

SAT and ACT seats fill up fast, especially during spring and early fall. Registering early guarantees you get into the test center you want and gives you time to plan around schoolwork, sports, or AP exams. Many students take the SAT/ACT twice, so signing up early helps you map out two realistic attempts, one early in junior year and one later for improvement.

4. Use official practice tests and track your weak spots.

The best prep you can do is with official SAT or ACT practice tests. They match the real exam format, difficulty, and timing. After each test, go back through every incorrect answer and label the mistake: content gap, timing issue, or misread question. If you keep missing ACT science graphs or SAT algebra questions, build that into your next week’s study schedule. This is how students jump from “average practice scores” to competitive ones.

5. Use your test score to strengthen the rest of your application.

At colleges that require SAT or ACT, your score is part of the foundation of your application. A strong score can reinforce the challenge level of your classes, support a high GPA, or help offset a weaker grade from earlier years. Some colleges, like Georgia Tech and Purdue, also use scores for scholarship consideration, so performing well can impact both admissions and financial aid.

If you’re proud of your score, make sure the rest of your application reflects that momentum, strong coursework, engaged extracurriculars, and a personal statement that shows curiosity and discipline.

6. Consider working with an SAT/ACT tutor for targeted improvement

If you’re applying to schools that require test scores, SAT and ACT tutoring can make a measurable difference, especially if you’re aiming for highly competitive ranges. Research from groups like the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and ACT, Inc., has shown that structured test prep, including one-on-one tutoring, often leads to meaningful score gains because it focuses on closing specific knowledge gaps instead of general studying.

A good tutor can help you:

• Build a personalized plan based on your strengths and weaknesses
• Adjust pacing strategies for reading and math
• Learn test-specific shortcuts that aren’t always obvious in books
• Track progress with real data, not guesswork

For example, many students working toward a 1500+ SAT or 33+ ACT score benefit from guided practice because tiny mistakes, like misreading graph labels or mistiming reading passages, can make the difference between “good” and “competitive.” 

Tutoring isn’t required for everyone, but if your target schools require SAT scores, having expert support can help you reach their middle 50% ranges more efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Ivy League schools require SAT/ACT scores in 2025?

Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown have reinstated SAT/ACT requirements for 2025. Other Ivies remain test-optional for now, but may still encourage submitting strong scores.

2. What percent of colleges require SAT or ACT scores?

Only about 5–10% of U.S. colleges currently require SAT/ACT scores. Most schools remain test-optional or test-flexible.

3. Why are some colleges returning to test-required admissions?

Schools cite rising GPA inflation, inconsistent grading across high schools, and the need for reliable academic indicators. Some also found that standardized scores helped identify strong applicants from under-resourced backgrounds.

4. What score should I aim for when applying to colleges that require SAT/ACT?

Aim for the middle 50% range of admitted students. For highly selective schools, that often means 1450–1550+ on the SAT or 32–35+ on the ACT. Public flagships may look for scores in the 1200–1400 SAT or 25–31 ACT range.

5. How can I strengthen my application if a school requires standardized test scores?

Focus on consistent prep, take multiple full-length practice tests, and test early enough to retake if needed. Pair strong scores with rigorous coursework, solid grades, and activities that show commitment and follow-through.

Takeaways

• Some of the most selective universities now require SAT/ACT scores again. Schools like MIT, Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, and Johns Hopkins have already reinstated test requirements for upcoming admissions cycles.
• Only a small percentage of colleges require test scores, but they include many top-ranked institutions. Around 5–10% of U.S. colleges require testing, and many of them sit at the highest end of the national rankings.
• Colleges are bringing back test requirements because GPAs alone aren’t consistent enough. With grade inflation and different grading standards across high schools, schools want a common data point to compare applicants more fairly.
• Standardized tests can help colleges identify strong students from under-resourced backgrounds, which is one reason some colleges that require SAT continue to value test scores in their review process.
• Working with a college admissions adviser can help you stay aligned with changing requirements. Advisers track policy updates, help you set realistic score goals, and guide you through testing strategies based on the specific schools on your list.