If you're applying to Ivy League schools for Fall 2025, here's what you need to know about testing requirements. Most Ivies have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements after several years of test-optional policies, though a few exceptions remain.
Brown requires SAT or ACT scores for all first-year applicants entering Fall 2025.
Dartmouth requires SAT or ACT scores. The school was the first Ivy to reinstate testing requirements in February 2024.
Harvard requires SAT or ACT scores for students entering Fall 2025. After reinstating this requirement, Harvard saw applications drop from 54,008 to 47,893.
UPenn requires SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2025 admission. The school offers hardship waivers for students facing barriers to testing access.
Yale requires test scores but offers flexibility. Students can submit SAT, ACT, AP exam scores, or IB exam results to meet this requirement.
Columbia is permanently test-optional. Students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application. Columbia is the only Ivy committed to maintaining test-optional admissions indefinitely.
Cornell has a temporary test-optional policy extending through the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. While scores are encouraged, they remain optional for students applying for Fall 2025.
Princeton remains test-optional through the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. However, Princeton announced that it will require SAT or ACT scores starting with the 2027-2028 cycle.
Competitive SAT scores for top colleges like Harvard and MIT typically range from 1470 to 1580. ACT scores generally fall between 33 and 36 for admitted students.
A score of 1550 is considered highly competitive at Harvard and other Ivy League schools, though context matters. Admissions officers evaluate scores within the framework of your school, background, and available opportunities.
With most Ivies now requiring scores, test preparation becomes essential for competitive applicants. Here's what matters most:
Start early enough. Giving yourself 3-6 months allows you to build skills without overwhelming yourself. Rushing test prep rarely produces your best results.
Choose between SAT and ACT thoughtfully. Understanding the differences between these tests helps you invest your preparation time wisely. Some students naturally perform better on one test versus the other.
Balance test prep with everything else. Your grades, college essays, and extracurricular commitments all require attention. Good time management becomes critical during this period.
Know when to retake tests. Understanding how many times you should take the SAT helps you plan strategically. Most students benefit from taking the test 2-3 times, but diminishing returns set in after that.
For Columbia, Cornell, and Princeton (through 2026), test-optional doesn't mean test-blind. Admissions officers still see scores when students submit them, and many competitive applicants do submit scores even at test-optional schools.
If you're applying for a test-optional, make sure the rest of your application is exceptionally strong. Strong grades, meaningful extracurricular involvement, compelling essays, and excellent recommendations become even more important when test scores aren't part of the picture.
Most schools cite internal research showing that test scores help predict college academic performance. Universities found that students who submitted scores generally performed better academically, though many factors contribute to college success.
Some schools also noted that test scores can help identify talented students from various backgrounds who might otherwise be overlooked. The relationship between testing policy and access remains complex, with ongoing debate about how best to support equity while maintaining academic standards.
For students with strong test scores: Submit scores to all schools, even test-optional ones, as they strengthen your application.
For students with lower scores: Focus on Columbia and other test-optional schools while continuing to prepare for required tests at other Ivies. Consider whether your score accurately reflects your academic ability or if retaking makes sense.
For all students: Remember that Ivy League admissions evaluate you as a whole person. Test scores matter at schools that require them, but they're one piece of a much larger picture. Your intellectual curiosity, personal qualities, and genuine engagement with learning matter just as much.
Testing policies can shift. Princeton's announcement that it will require tests starting in 2027 suggests the trend toward reinstating requirements may continue. Always verify current policies on each school's official admissions website before finalizing your application plans.
Schools make these decisions based on data, institutional priorities, and evolving understanding of what predicts student success. What's true today might change by next year's admissions cycle.
The return to testing requirements at most Ivies reflects these schools' belief that scores provide valuable information about applicants. However, strong test scores alone don't guarantee admission, and students with scores outside typical ranges can still be admitted when other parts of their application shine.
You are more than your test scores. Ivy League schools seek students who will contribute to their communities, engage deeply with learning, and grow throughout their college experience. Test scores open doors, but your personal qualities, intellectual engagement, and character determine what you do once you walk through them.
Preparing for standardized tests while managing everything else on your plate? At LifeWorks, we help students develop the skills and confidence they need for test success without losing sight of who they are. Get in touch with us to learn how we support students and families through the college admissions process.
Which Ivy League schools require SAT or ACT for Fall 2025?
Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, UPenn, and Yale all require SAT or ACT scores for Fall 2025 admission. Columbia is test-optional, while Cornell and Princeton have temporary test-optional policies through 2025-2026.
Is Columbia University test-optional?
Columbia is permanently test-optional. Students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application, and this policy is expected to continue indefinitely.
Will Princeton require SAT or ACT scores in the future?
Princeton remains test-optional through the 2025-2026 admissions cycle but will require SAT or ACT scores starting with the 2027-2028 cycle. Students applying for Fall 2025 and Fall 2026 can still apply without scores.
Can I submit AP or IB scores instead of SAT or ACT?
Yale accepts AP or IB exam scores as alternatives to SAT or ACT. Most other Ivy League schools require SAT or ACT specifically, though policies vary, so check each school's requirements carefully.
What SAT score do I need for Ivy League schools?
Competitive SAT scores typically range from 1470 to 1580 for admitted students. However, scores are evaluated in context, and students with scores outside this range can still be admitted with strong applications overall.
Should I submit test scores to test-optional Ivy League schools?
If your scores are competitive (generally 1470+ for SAT or 33+ for ACT), submitting them strengthens your application even at test-optional schools. Weaker scores might be better left off your application if other components are strong.
