Guides · Testing
Which colleges require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027?
The short answer
31 selective colleges require scores for fall 2027. If one is on your list, plan to test.
This covers every four-year college that admits under 30% of applicants, plus big flagship publics. Rules change, sometimes mid-year, so each college links to the page we checked and the date we checked it.
On this page
No college on these lists matches that. It may not be selective enough to be tracked here; its own page has its rule.
Required: send SAT or ACT scores (31)
These colleges expect a score from nearly every applicant. Several also accept the CLT (Classic Learning Test, another admissions test), and a few make exceptions for certain programs or students; the note says so where it applies. The list includes Harvard, MIT, Yale, Stanford, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Caltech, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, UT Austin and the Naval, Military, Air Force and Coast Guard academies.
- Auburn University Required ACT or SAT scores must be on file for a complete application. Send scores by Jan 11, 2027 for extra scholarship consideration. Checked Nov 4 on auburn.edu
- Brown University Required SAT or ACT required. Checked Nov 2 on admission.brown.edu
- Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Required SAT or ACT scores required. Checked Nov 2 on sonis.cabarruscollege.edu
- Caltech Required SAT or ACT required since fall 2025 entry. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.caltech.edu
- College of the Ozarks Required ACT, SAT or CLT required. Checked Nov 2 on cofo.edu
- Cornell University Required Required for fall 2026 entry and later, in every Cornell college. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.cornell.edu
Show all 31
- Dallas Christian College Required Send the ACT or SAT (900 SAT or 19 ACT is the standard). CLT, TSIA and Texas state tests are also accepted. Checked Nov 3 on dallas.edu
- Dartmouth College Required SAT or ACT required for U.S. high school applicants. International students may use AP, IB or A-level results instead. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.dartmouth.edu
- Florida A&M University Required SAT or ACT required, as at every Florida public university. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.famu.edu
- Florida State University Required SAT or ACT required, as at every Florida public university. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.fsu.edu
- Georgetown University Required SAT or ACT required. Georgetown does not superscore. Checked Nov 2 on uadmissions.georgetown.edu
- Georgia Tech Required SAT or ACT required. Checked Nov 2 on admission.gatech.edu
- Harvard University Required SAT or ACT required. Checked Nov 2 on college.harvard.edu
- Johns Hopkins University Required Required for fall 2026 entry and later. Checked Nov 2 on apply.jhu.edu
- Kennesaw State University Required SAT or ACT required for first-year applicants, with minimum section scores. The CLT is accepted from fall 2027. Checked Nov 5 on kennesaw.edu
- MIT Required SAT or ACT required. Checked Nov 2 on mitadmissions.org
- Ohio State University (Columbus) Required The Columbus campus requires the SAT or ACT. Ohio State's regional campuses are optional. Checked Nov 2 on undergrad.osu.edu
- Purdue University Required SAT, ACT or CLT required. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.purdue.edu
- Stanford University Required SAT or ACT required since the fall 2026 entry cycle. Checked Nov 5 on admission.stanford.edu
- United States Air Force Academy Required SAT, ACT or CLT required. Checked Nov 2 on usafa.edu
- United States Coast Guard Academy Required Test scores required. Send them by the Jan 15 deadline. Checked Nov 2 on uscga.edu
- United States Military Academy Required SAT, ACT or CLT required. West Point superscores. Checked Nov 2 on westpoint.edu
- United States Naval Academy Required SAT, ACT or CLT required. Checked Nov 2 on usna.edu
- University of Florida Required SAT, ACT or CLT required. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.ufl.edu
- University of Georgia Required SAT or ACT required. There is no test-optional route. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.uga.edu
- University of Miami Required SAT or ACT required for most first-year applicants. Students at high schools outside the U.S. and applicants to Architecture, Frost performance and BFA programs may apply without scores. Checked Nov 4 on admissions.miami.edu
- University of Pennsylvania Required SAT or ACT required for 2026-27. A hardship waiver is available. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.upenn.edu
- University of Tennessee Required All first-year applicants must self-report an ACT or SAT score by Jan 20, 2027. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.utk.edu
- University of Texas at Austin Required Official SAT or ACT scores required. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.utexas.edu
- Webb Institute Required Every applicant must send an SAT or ACT score. Checked Nov 4 on webb.edu
- Yale University Required Changed May 2026: SAT or ACT now required. AP or IB results alone no longer meet the requirement. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.yale.edu
Got a score already?
Add it once and every college shows where it sits in their range, and what families like yours paid. Check my list
Depends: required for some students (6)
The rule changes with your major, your GPA or how you went to high school. Find your situation in the note.
- Carnegie Mellon University Depends Computer Science applicants must send SAT or ACT scores. Engineering, Dietrich, Science, Tepper and Information Systems are test-flexible (AP or IB results can stand in), and Fine Arts is test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on cmu.edu
- The Cooper Union Depends Engineering applicants must send SAT or ACT scores. Art and Architecture applicants don't have to. Checked Nov 2 on cooper.edu
- The Juilliard School Depends Most applicants don't send SAT or ACT scores: admission is by audition. Homeschooled applicants must send official SAT or ACT scores by December 1. Checked Nov 5 on juilliard.edu
- LSU Depends Scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher. Below 3.5 you must send an SAT or ACT score. Checked Nov 2 on lsu.edu
- UNC Chapel Hill Depends Scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. Below 2.8 you must send an SAT (930 or higher) or ACT (17 or higher). Checked Nov 2 on admissions.unc.edu
- University of Alabama Depends Scores are optional with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Below 3.0 you must send an SAT or ACT score. Checked Nov 2 on apply.ua.edu
Optional: you choose whether to send scores (94)
Applying without scores is fully allowed here. Sending a strong score can still help, and some optional schools (Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame, Claremont McKenna) require scores again from fall 2028 entry.
- Amherst College Optional Optional. Checked Nov 2 on amherst.edu
- Arizona State University Optional Not required. A score is one of several ways to meet ASU's admission standard. Checked Nov 2 on admission.asu.edu
- Babson College Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on babson.edu
- Barnard College Optional A temporary test-optional policy covers fall 2027 entry. Checked Nov 2 on barnard.edu
- Bates College Optional Optional since 1984. Checked Nov 2 on bates.edu
- Berea College Optional You choose whether to send scores. Checked Nov 2 on berea.edu
Show all 94
- Boston College Optional Test-optional for the current cycle. Checked Nov 2 on bc.edu
- Boston University Optional Test-optional through fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on bu.edu
- Bowdoin College Optional Test-optional for more than 50 years. Checked Nov 2 on bowdoin.edu
- Bryn Mawr College Optional Test-optional for all applicants. Checked Nov 2 on brynmawr.edu
- Bucknell University Optional Test-optional through the 2027-28 cycle. If you enroll, Bucknell asks for a score if you have one; it does not affect admission. Checked Nov 4 on bucknell.edu
- Carleton College Optional Permanently test-optional since 2025. Checked Nov 2 on carleton.edu
- The Citadel Optional Test-optional for the Corps of Cadets. South Carolina students may still want scores for the state LIFE and Palmetto scholarships. Checked Nov 4 on citadel.edu
- Claremont McKenna College Optional Optional through fall 2027 entry. Required again for fall 2028. Checked Nov 2 on cmc.edu
- Clemson University Optional Not required for 2026-27. Checked Nov 2 on clemson.edu
- Colby College Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on afa.colby.edu
- Colgate University Optional Optional. Checked Nov 2 on colgate.edu
- College of the Holy Cross Optional Optional since 2006. Checked Nov 2 on holycross.edu
- Colorado College Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on coloradocollege.edu
- Columbia University Optional Optional for fall 2027 entry. Required again from fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Crown College Optional Test-optional for the ACT, SAT or CLT. A score you send is one more thing they look at. Checked Nov 3 on crown.edu
- Curtis Institute of Music Optional Bachelor of Music: the SAT is optional. Admission is by audition. Checked Nov 2 on curtis.edu
- Davidson College Optional Permanently test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on davidson.edu
- Denison University Optional Optional since 2008. Checked Nov 2 on denison.edu
- Duke University Optional Test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.duke.edu
- Emory University Optional Test-optional for students starting in fall 2027. Checked Nov 2 on apply.emory.edu
- Franklin and Marshall College Optional Optional for more than 30 years. Checked Nov 2 on fandm.edu
- Grinnell College Optional Optional. Checked Nov 2 on grinnell.edu
- Hamilton College Optional Optional. Checked Nov 2 on hamilton.edu
- Harvey Mudd College Optional Test-optional for fall 2027. Checked Nov 2 on hmc.edu
- Haverford College Optional Permanently test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on haverford.edu
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing Optional You qualify with a B (80) high school average or an SAT of 800 / ACT of 14. Scores are one way to qualify, not a must. Checked Nov 3 on helenefuld.edu
- Hillsdale College Optional Optional. The CLT is accepted. Checked Nov 2 on hillsdale.edu
- Indiana University Optional Not required. Checked Nov 2 on iu.edu
- Lehigh University Optional Test-optional, extended with no end date. Checked Nov 2 on www2.lehigh.edu
- Macalester College Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on macalester.edu
- Michigan State University Optional Optional. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.msu.edu
- Middlebury College Optional Test-optional. Self-reported scores are accepted, and the ACT Science section is not required. Checked Nov 4 on middlebury.edu
- Minerva University Optional Not required. You may add scores to your application. Minerva also uses its own online admissions challenges. Checked Nov 4 on minerva.edu
- New York University Optional Test-optional through the 2027-28 cycle. Checked Nov 2 on nyu.edu
- Northeastern University Optional Test-optional for the fall 2027 cycle. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.northeastern.edu
- Northeastern University Oakland Optional You apply through Northeastern, which is test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.northeastern.edu
- Northwestern University Optional Optional for the 2026-27 cycle. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.northwestern.edu
- Olin College of Engineering Optional The testing requirement is suspended through 2026-27. Checked Nov 2 on olin.edu
- Penn State Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on psu.edu
- Pomona College Optional Permanently test-optional (Pomona plans a review in 2028-29). If you send the ACT, include the Science section. Checked Nov 4 on pomona.edu
- Princeton University Optional Optional for fall 2027 entry. Required from fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on admission.princeton.edu
- Rhode Island School of Design Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on risd.edu
- Rice University Optional Recommended but not required. Checked Nov 2 on admission.rice.edu
- Rutgers (New Brunswick) Optional Optional at New Brunswick. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.rutgers.edu
- Skidmore College Optional Optional since 2016. Checked Nov 2 on skidmore.edu
- Smith College Optional Test-optional since 2009. Checked Nov 2 on smith.edu
- Spelman College Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on spelman.edu
- Stony Brook University Optional Optional, except for the Scholars for Medicine and Scholars for Dental Medicine programs. Checked Nov 2 on stonybrook.edu
- Swarthmore College Optional Optional for 2026-27. Checked Nov 2 on swarthmore.edu
- Temple University Optional Test-optional: choose it on the Common App. You can send the SAT or ACT if you want it read. Checked Nov 5 on admissions.temple.edu
- Texas A&M University Optional Optional for 2027 entry. A score requirement has been proposed for spring and fall 2028. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.tamu.edu
- Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Optional On-campus applicants: ACT, SAT or CLT recommended, not required. The online program asks for scores. Checked Nov 3 on trinitybiblecollege.edu
- Trinity College Optional Not required. Checked Nov 2 on trincoll.edu
- Trinity University Optional Not required. Checked Nov 2 on trinity.edu
- Tufts University Optional Test-optional for all undergraduate applicants. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.tufts.edu
- Tulane University Optional Optional for fall 2027. Required for the Pathways to Medicine program. Checked Nov 2 on admission.tulane.edu
- UMass Amherst Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on umass.edu
- University at Buffalo Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on buffalo.edu
- University of Arizona Optional Not required for admission, scholarships or honors. Checked Nov 2 on arizona.edu
- University of Chicago Optional Optional, and UChicago uses a score only if it helps you. Checked Nov 2 on collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu
- University of Colorado Boulder Optional Not required. Checked Nov 2 on colorado.edu
- University of Connecticut Optional Test-optional for the foreseeable future. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.uconn.edu
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.illinois.edu
- University of Iowa Optional Test-optional for general admission. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.uiowa.edu
- University of Kentucky Optional Test-optional for most first-year applicants. Checked Nov 2 on admission.uky.edu
- University of Maryland Optional Optional through fall 2027. Later years are under review. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.umd.edu
- University of Michigan Optional Test-optional for the fall 2027 cycle. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.umich.edu
- University of Minnesota Optional Not required through fall 2029. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.tc.umn.edu
- University of Missouri Optional Optional for fall 2027. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.missouri.edu
- University of Notre Dame Optional Optional through 2026-27. Required from fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.nd.edu
- University of Oregon Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on uoregon.edu
- University of Pittsburgh Optional Optional through fall 2028. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.pitt.edu
- University of Richmond Optional Optional for students entering in 2027. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.richmond.edu
- University of South Carolina Optional Not required for 2027 entry. Checked Nov 2 on sc.edu
- University of Southern California Optional Test-optional for fall 2027 first-year applicants. Checked Nov 2 on admission.usc.edu
- University of Virginia Optional You choose whether to share scores for fall 2027. Checked Nov 2 on admission.virginia.edu
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Optional Not required from spring 2027 through spring 2028. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.wisc.edu
- UVA Wise Optional Test-optional. If you meet the GPA standard you don't need scores; an ACT of 17 or SAT of 900 is another way to qualify. Checked Nov 3 on uvawise.edu
- Vanderbilt University Optional SAT or ACT optional for fall 2027 and fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.vanderbilt.edu
- Vassar College Optional Not required. Checked Nov 2 on vassar.edu
- Villanova University Optional Test-optional through 2026-27 (class of 2031). Checked Nov 2 on villanova.edu
- Virginia Tech Optional Optional through fall 2028. Checked Nov 2 on vt.edu
- Wake Forest University Optional Optional since 2008. Checked Nov 2 on admissions.wfu.edu
- Washington and Lee University Optional Test-optional. Checked Nov 2 on wlu.edu
- Washington University in St. Louis Optional Test-optional for fall 2027. Checked Nov 2 on bulletin.wustl.edu
- Wellesley College Optional The testing requirement is suspended for 2026-27. Checked Nov 2 on wellesley.edu
- Wesleyan University Optional Optional. Homeschooled applicants must send scores. Checked Nov 2 on wesleyan.edu
- Williams College Optional Test-optional for 2026-27. Checked Nov 2 on williams.edu
Test-blind: scores not looked at (7)
These colleges won't look at your SAT or ACT even if you send it. Put your effort into your grades, courses and essays.
- Pitzer College Test-blind Test-free for fall 2027 entry. Test-optional from fall 2028 entry. Checked Nov 2 on pitzer.edu
- Reed College Test-blind Reed neither requires nor uses the SAT or ACT. Checked Nov 2 on reed.edu
- UC Berkeley Test-blind UC campuses don't consider the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Fall 2028 is under review. Checked Nov 2 on admission.universityofcalifornia.edu
- UC Irvine Test-blind UC campuses don't consider the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Fall 2028 is under review. Checked Nov 2 on admission.universityofcalifornia.edu
- UC San Diego Test-blind UC campuses don't consider the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Fall 2028 is under review. Checked Nov 2 on admission.universityofcalifornia.edu
- UCLA Test-blind UC campuses don't consider the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Fall 2028 is under review. Checked Nov 2 on admission.universityofcalifornia.edu
Show all 7
- University of Washington Test-blind Scores aren't used in admission review. Only homeschooled applicants and those without standard grades must send them. Checked Nov 2 on admit.washington.edu
A handful of small specialist schools that admit under 30% (mostly nursing, seminary and conservatory programs) don't post a clear fall 2027 testing rule, so they're left off. If you're applying to one, ask its admissions office.
What this means for you
- Anything on the Required list? Take the SAT or ACT and send your best score. Check each college's deadline for official scores; some, like Tennessee, set their own self-report dates.
- Applying to Optional colleges? Send your score when it's at or above the college's middle 50% for enrolled students. Below that, apply without it. My list shows each range next to your score.
- On the Depends list? Find your GPA or program in the note. Below a GPA cutoff, or applying to Carnegie Mellon Computer Science or Cooper Union Engineering, you need to send scores.
- Only test-blind colleges? Skip the test unless you need it for scholarships, a state program or another college on your list.
- A junior (fall 2028 entry)? Plan to test. Princeton, Columbia, Notre Dame and Claremont McKenna require scores again for fall 2028, Texas A&M has proposed the same, and the University of California is reviewing its policy.
Want it on paper? Printable version.
Questions
Do Ivy League schools require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027?
Six of the eight do: Harvard, Yale, Penn, Brown, Dartmouth and Cornell. Princeton and Columbia are optional for fall 2027 and require scores from fall 2028 entry.
Should I send my score to a test-optional college?
Send it if it's at or above the college's middle 50% range for admitted students. If it's below that range, most applicants are better off applying without it. Some optional colleges, such as the University of Chicago, say they use a score only when it helps.
Is test-optional the same as test-blind?
No. Test-optional colleges consider your score if you send it. Test-blind colleges, including the University of California campuses, Reed and Pitzer for fall 2027, don't look at scores even if you send them.
Does the CLT count instead of the SAT or ACT?
At some colleges, yes: the Naval, Military and Air Force academies, the University of Florida, Purdue, College of the Ozarks and Hillsdale accept it. Most selective private colleges still ask for the SAT or ACT, so check the college's page before relying on the CLT.
Can a college's testing rule change after I apply?
Colleges usually announce changes a year or more ahead and honor the rule in place for your entry year, but announcements do come mid-cycle (Yale changed its rule in May 2026). Check each college's testing page when you build your list and again before you submit.
Checked 2–5 November 2026 on each college's own admissions site. Rules change: confirm with the college before you apply.