SAT & ACT Policy Tracker: Top 100 Colleges (2026-27)

Amherst is test-optional for all first-year applicants (domestic and international); no admissions advantage to submitting scores. Admitted students who submitted self-reported scores and choose to matriculate must send official scores after enrolling, but scores are not used in the admission decision itself if withheld.

Test-optional since 1984, one of the longest-running test-optional policies in the country ('national leader in the test-optional movement for over four decades'). English-proficiency test scores are required for applicants whose native/secondary-instruction language is not English. Self-reported scores allowed; official scores required upon enrollment.

Binghamton (SUNY): 'Binghamton is a test-optional university (SAT/ACT scores not required).' Self-reported scores, if submitted, must be verified officially by May 15 upon enrollment. No future change announced.

BU states it is test-optional for first-year applicants 'applying through fall 2028 and spring 2029' entry — directly confirmed on bu.edu. The current 2026-27 application cycle (Fall 2027 entry) is comfortably covered; no reinstatement has been announced.

Brandeis has been publicly test-optional since the 2020-21 cycle and, per general public reporting, has not reinstated a testing requirement. However, this could NOT be independently verified this session — see flags. Note: Brandeis's own pages show Early Decision I as both Nov 2 and Nov 3; we use Nov 2 per its comprehensive deadlines table.

Caltech reinstated required SAT/ACT testing in 2024 (effective for the Class of 2029 cycle) and it remains required for 2026-27 (Class of 2031). Caltech uses a 'bucket' system that masks exact scores above certain thresholds (Bucket A: SAT 780-800/ACT 35-36; Bucket B: SAT 750-770/ACT 33-34 — exact number hidden); only scores below SAT 750/ACT 33 are shown exactly to reviewers. No minimum score and no preferred test.

Policy varies by college, not a single blanket rule: School of Computer Science REQUIRES an SAT/ACT score; College of Engineering, Dietrich College, Heinz College (Info Systems), Mellon College of Science, and Tepper are 'test flexible' — applicants must submit some standardized evidence (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, A-Level, or French Bac); College of Fine Arts is test-optional (portfolio/audition instead). No future change announced.

CMC extended its test-optional policy through the Fall 2027 entry cycle (the current 2026-27 application cycle). CMC's own FAQ states it 'will return to a test-required policy for the Fall 2028 admission cycle.'

Test-optional. Colby's admissions FAQ/requirements pages state: 'Colby is a test optional institution. Students may choose whether to submit standardized test scores with their application for admission.' Self-reported scores accepted at application; official scores required before enrollment if submitted. Colby superscores exams.

Test-optional. W&M's admissions overview describes standardized test scores as 'optional' within its holistic review process. Could not locate a dedicated testing-policy subpage with explicit 'test-optional through [cycle]' language on this pass.

Cornell's official policy page states: 'Effective for Fall 2026 and beyond, first-year applicants are required to submit the SAT or ACT.' This applies uniformly across all Cornell undergraduate colleges/schools (no college-specific testing exceptions) and is already in effect for the current 2026-27 cycle (fall 2027 entry), since 'fall 2026 and beyond' includes it.

CDS 2025-26 (Section C8A, policy 'for Fall 2027') marks SAT/ACT as 'Not required for admission, but consider if submitted.' No future change announced.

Emory extended its test-optional policy through Fall 2027 entry (the current 2026-27 cycle) for both first-year and transfer applicants; students do not need to disclose or justify why they are not submitting scores.

GW states it 'has been proudly test-optional for the majority of applicants since 2015.' SAT/ACT submission is optional; high school grades and rigor are the most important factors. Exceptions requiring scores: BA/BS-MD combined-degree applicants, homeschooled applicants, and applicants from schools that provide only narrative evaluations. No future change announced.

"All first-year applicants must submit results from at least one SAT and/or ACT in order to be considered for admission." ACT Writing/SAT Essay not required.

Test-optional. Hamilton states it 'does not require the SAT or ACT' and gives full consideration regardless of submission; roughly half of enrolled students choose to submit scores. Self-reported scores allowed at application; official scores required by enrollment if submitted. Superscoring accepted for both SAT and ACT.

Harvey Mudd's site describes its ACT/SAT-optional pilot as extended 'through 2026' and has not been explicitly updated for the 2026-27 cycle — confirm directly with HMC before relying on this.

IU Bloomington is test-optional: 'a test-optional institution providing students with the choice of whether to include test scores,' though the campus 'does prefer that students share any available standardized test scores.' No end date or future change stated.

Official policy: 'Lehigh will extend the test optional policy for admission indefinitely while continuing to evaluate its impact.' Applies to both first-year and transfer applicants; multiple test sittings are superscored. No fall-year-specific language used — policy is stated as indefinite/ongoing.

MSU is test-optional for first-year applicants entering fall 2027, per its own page: 'MSU is test optional, which means that prospective first-year students have the opportunity to apply for admission without submitting an ACT or SAT score.' Self-reported scores accepted for review; official scores due before orientation if used. No future change announced.

NYU confirms on its official site: 'NYU will continue to remain test-optional through the 2027-2028 application cycle.' If scores are submitted, only one testing format is used; SAT, ACT, APs, IB, A-Levels, and other exams are all accepted flexibly.

Official policy: 'Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require applicants to submit standardized testing to be considered for admission.' Applicants may still submit SAT (code 3667) or ACT (code 1880); Northeastern superscores across both test types. Policy is described as continuing 'for the foreseeable future' with no announced end date or reinstatement.

Test-optional since 2020 for the College of Arts & Sciences (Oberlin's primary undergraduate admissions track); the official policy page presents this as an ongoing policy with no stated end date, not a time-limited pilot. Note: Oberlin's Conservatory of Music undergraduate admissions has separate, sometimes differently-timed testing language and is not covered by this record.

"First-year Penn State applicants for Spring, Summer, or Fall are able to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their applications." Self-reported scores accepted via MyPennState.

Princeton remains test-optional for the CURRENT 2026-27 cycle (fall 2027 entry): 'Students who opt to apply to Princeton in the 2026-27 cycle without an ACT or SAT score will not be at a disadvantage.' Princeton will require SAT/ACT scores beginning with the 2027-28 admission cycle (fall 2028 entry).

Official policy: 'Any student who applies to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as an undergraduate in the fall of 2027 will be able to choose whether or not to submit SAT or ACT scores.' Exception: applicants to the Physician-Scientist (B.S./M.D.) Program must submit official test scores. No changes announced beyond the 2027 cycle.

Rutgers states it 'maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2027.' New Brunswick (this record) and Camden are test-optional; Newark is test-blind (except its BA/MD program). No policy announced for after 2027.

Official page states: 'SMU is fully test-optional. No preference is given to applicants based on whether they submit test results or not, but without test scores, all other elements of your application become more important.' SAT/ACT accepted with superscoring if submitted.

Stony Brook (SUNY): 'Stony Brook is test optional for applicants.' Admission is based on holistic review; no end date or future change to the policy was found.

Official page states explicitly: 'SAT/ACT scores are not required for students applying for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Fall 2027 or Spring 2028 admission.' This directly and explicitly covers the current 2026-27 cycle (fall 2027 entry). Self-reported or official scores accepted for those who choose to submit.

Official testing policy page states standardized tests 'are not required for students graduating high school through 2028,' which explicitly covers the current 2026-27 cycle (HS class of 2027, fall 2027 entry) and the following cycle too. TCU frames this as a 'Do No Harm' policy: submitted scores cannot be used to penalize an applicant's assessed academic ability. No reversion to test-required has been announced.

Official policy: 'The submission of SAT or ACT scores will remain optional for Fall 2027 first-year and transfer admission to Tulane.' Applicants with strong scores (SAT 1300+/ACT 28+) are encouraged but not required to submit. Test scores are not used for need-based aid or artistic/athletic/service merit scholarships.

The University of California is test-blind at all nine campuses: SAT/ACT scores are not considered for admissions or scholarships, systemwide, including for the 2026-27 cycle.

All UC campuses, including UCLA, have been permanently test-blind since fall 2021 entry per UC Board of Regents/Academic Senate action. SAT/ACT scores are not considered for admission or scholarships even if voluntarily submitted.

The University of California is test-blind at all nine campuses: SAT/ACT scores are not considered for admissions or scholarships, systemwide, including for the 2026-27 cycle.

CU Boulder is test-optional: 'ACT and SAT scores are not required for first-year students, but you may provide self-reported scores if you would like us to consider them when reviewing your application.' No future change to test policy found. (CU Boulder is part of the University of Colorado system — distinct from the permanently test-blind University of California campuses.)

SAT, ACT, or CLT scores are required of all first-time first-year applicants for Fall 2027 admission (narrow hardship exceptions), per UF's own Common Data Set 2025-26 (Section C8A). This reinstates a requirement after a prior test-optional period. ACT Science is no longer required/factored per Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.008.

'Illinois is test-optional. You can choose whether to include ACT or SAT scores.' Applicants who omit test scores may need to submit an English-language proficiency test instead (international applicants).

UMass Amherst: 'standardized tests are optional for first-year entering applicants... applies to all majors.' No end date or future change stated.

U-M's own CDS 2025-26 marks SAT/ACT as 'Recommended' (not required, not merely 'consider if submitted') for Fall 2027 applicants. Self-reported scores accepted; official scores only required for admitted/enrolled students who chose to self-report. No future change announced.

UNC's own CDS 2025-26 (Section C8A, 'policies for use in admission for students applying for Fall 2027') checks SAT/ACT under 'Required to be considered for admission' — NOT 'Recommended' or 'Not required but considered.' The GPA-conditional nuance is real and is itself confirmed verbatim in the CDS's own C8F clarification: 'Beginning with the Fall 2025-26 academic year, students with a weighted GPA below 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale) are required to submit either an ACT or SAT score. If applicants have scores that they choose to share with us, they will be considered as one fact among many in our holistic application review.' So: not a blanket requirement for every applicant, but UNC's own official CDS classification is 'required,' not 'optional' — publish it as such, with the GPA threshold as the caveat, not the headline.

Penn requires SAT or ACT scores (or an approved hardship waiver) starting with the 2025-26 admissions cycle, continuing for 2026-27. Scores may be self-reported at application time (recruited athletes must submit official scores); there is no minimum score.

Official policy: 'Applicants choosing not to submit standardized tests will not be at a disadvantage, nor will it negatively impact their application review or scholarship consideration.' Rochester also offers a test-flexible alternative: applicants may submit AP, IB, or A-Level exam results in place of SAT/ACT if they prefer. No future change announced; page uses aspirational language about eventually not needing any test submissions.

At least one official SAT or ACT score is required directly from the testing agency. Essay/writing sections, Subject Tests, and ACT Science are not required.

'The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for most applicants' (test-optional for the general pool), but scores ARE required for homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools that do not issue standard letter/numeric grades.

Vanderbilt's admissions.vanderbilt.edu confirms test-optional continues for students entering fall 2027 and fall 2028 (i.e., covers the current 2026-27 application cycle). In July 2026 Vanderbilt announced testing will be required for the class entering fall 2029 and beyond.

Official policy: 'Villanova University remains test-optional for applicants through the 2026-27 admission campaign (Class of 2031).' Exception: applicants homeschooled for more than one full academic year of high school are required to submit test scores. Holistic review continues to weigh grades, curriculum strength, writing supplement, activities, and recommendations.

Continuously test-optional since the policy took effect for the fall 2009 entering class (announced 2008); no exceptions for domestic applicants. Only international students must submit English-proficiency scores.

"Wellesley College will continue to be test optional for those applying for entry in fall 2027." ~45% of enrolled students submit no scores. College states it will "communicate updates for future application cycles as they become available" — no reinstatement announced.

Secondary sources report Williams' test-optional policy 'will remain in place for the 2025-26 admissions cycle'; no announcement of a reinstatement was found, so test-optional is the best current assessment for 2026-27, but this could NOT be verified directly against Williams' own site (see flags) and should be re-checked before publishing.