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Test-Optional Colleges 2026: Who Still Requires the SAT/ACT

Your child may not need the SAT or ACT for every college on their list. Many schools are test-optional in 2026, but some want scores again. This guide shows where each school stands as of October 2026. It also helps you decide when a score is worth sending.

What Does Test-Optional Mean?

Test-optional simply means you don’t have to submit SAT or ACT scores, but you still can. And since colleges take either test, your kid can go with whichever one feels easier. The main difference in an SAT vs. ACT comparison is timing. The ACT is faster, and the SAT gives a little more breathing room. 

It’s easy to confuse test-optional with other testing policies. Here’s the difference:

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Why Are So Many Colleges Still Test-Optional in 2026?

Many colleges started going test-optional during COVID. In 2026, they continue because:

• They want to look at more than one test score. Duke University says students who apply without SAT or ACT scores won’t be at a disadvantage. Its admissions process looks at everything else in the application either way.
• They want students to decide if their scores represent them well. Bowdoin College has been test-optional since 1969, letting applicants decide whether their SAT or ACT results reflect their academic ability and potential.
• They want to make applying more accessible. The University of Chicago (UChicago) made testing optional in 2018 as part of an effort to reach more first-generation and low-income students.
• Some are still reviewing the policy. WashU said in August 2026 that it’s taking another look and should decide within the year. Wisconsin may go the other way. Its regents are thinking about making the policy permanent at UW-Madison and other state schools.

So keep an eye on the dates. Some test-optional universities have already announced plans to bring the SAT or ACT back. It has become one of the bigger current US education trends in admissions.

The Full List of Test-Optional Colleges for 2026 Applications

So, what colleges are test-optional in 2026? There are still plenty to choose from. The tables below group them by school type and show how long each policy lasts.

Test-Optional Ivy League & Highly Selective Universities

Verified October 2026

Test-Optional Private Universities

Verified October 2026

Test-Optional Public Universities & Flagships

Verified October 2026

Test-Optional Liberal Arts Colleges

Verified October 2026

The best test-optional colleges aren’t necessarily the ones with the most flexible testing rules, though. Start with the program your kid wants to study. Then look at the acceptance rate, net price, and what financial aid is available, too.

Which Colleges Have Reinstated the SAT or ACT Since 2022?

MIT brought back its SAT and ACT requirement in 2022. Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Penn have done the same. Columbia and Princeton will follow for fall 2028 entry, and Vanderbilt will wait until 2029.

More students are taking these tests, too. Standardized testing statistics show that more than 2 million students in the class of 2025 took the SAT at least once, up from 1.5 million in the class of 2021.

Here’s which colleges require scores again and when the change starts.

A few well-known schools aren’t in the table, and here’s why:

• Purdue University doesn’t strictly require scores. Its admissions page lists them as “if provided,” so your kid can still apply without one.
• The University of Georgia (UGA) was test-optional only for fall 2021. It started requiring test scores again for spring 2022.
• The University of California (UC) is test-free, so it ignores SAT or ACT scores. But that may change soon. UC faculty plan to weigh in by June 2027.

Should You Submit Your SAT or ACT Score at a Test-Optional School?

Send the SAT or ACT score if it falls in or above the college’s middle 50% range for admitted students.

When Submitting a Score Helps Your Application

A score helps most when it’s near the top of the college’s range. The major matters too. For instance, a strong math score may be more useful when your kid is applying to a STEM program. If they’re thinking about studying engineering, they should start getting comfortable with calculus early. Calculus tutoring can help with that.

Also pay attention to words like “recommended” or “encouraged.” The score may technically be optional, but the college is telling you it would like to see it.

And check scholarships and individual programs separately. A college can be test-optional for admission but still ask for scores elsewhere.

When It’s Better to Leave Your Score Out

A score well below the college’s usual range is a different story. If your child has strong grades and challenging classes, the application may say more about them without that lower score.

The same goes for a score that just doesn’t look like your kid’s usual work. When applying test-optional, you can leave the score out and let the rest of the application do the talking.

And if your kid would rather give the test another shot, there are plenty of online math tutoring options that fit around a busy school schedule.

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How to Decide: A 5-Step Checklist Before You Apply

1. Pull Up the College’s Current Testing Policy

Even colleges without SAT requirements can have different rules for certain programs. Check the admission requirements for the one your kid is interested in.

2. Find the Scores of Recently Admitted Students

Most colleges publish a middle 50% SAT or ACT score range. You can usually find it in the college’s Common Data Set or on sites like Niche. Then, see where your kid’s score falls.

3. Compare the Test Score With Your Child’s Grades

If the test score matches the grades, great. But if your kid has strong grades and a much weaker SAT or ACT score, you may be better off leaving the score out.

4. Look Beyond Admission

Don’t forget about scholarships, especially merit-based aid. Some honors programs and majors may ask for test scores too.

5. Read Exactly What the College Says About Test Scores

Some colleges simply say SAT and ACT scores are optional. Others say they’re optional but recommended or encouraged. If you see wording like that, take it seriously.

Conclusion

There are still many colleges that are test-optional in 2026. That includes schools like Duke, Boston College, the University of Chicago, and Amherst. But the rules are changing, and some schools have already brought the SAT or ACT back.

If scores are indeed optional, compare their SAT or ACT score with the college’s usual range before deciding if you should send it.

Not sure where your kid’s math stands? Book our free demo lesson and let us do the testing for you. And if 1:1 lessons seem worth a try, compare the pricing plans and pick what works for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Harvard Test-Optional in 2026?

No. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT for first-year applicants. In exceptional cases where those tests aren’t accessible, it accepts certain alternative exams.

Is Yale Test-Optional in 2026?

No. Yale requires the SAT or ACT for students applying to enter in fall 2027. Before that, students could submit AP or IB scores instead, but Yale has ended that test-flexible policy.

Is Boston College Test-Optional?

Yes. You can apply to Boston College with or without SAT or ACT scores. The college hasn’t announced an end date for this policy.

If a School Says Test Scores Are “Encouraged,” Does That Mean I Should Submit Mine?

Not necessarily. “Encouraged” isn’t the same as required. A good way to decide is to compare your SAT or ACT score with what that college usually sees from admitted students. If you’re in that range, send it. If you’re well below, leaving it out may make more sense. Or, if there’s still time, your kid could work on the weak spots with a personalized math program and try again.

Does Applying Without a Test Score Hurt Your Chances of Admission?

Usually not, as long as the school is fully test-optional. Just make sure the college really does say “optional.” Some schools say scores are “recommended” or “encouraged” instead.

How Many Applicants Are Actually Submitting Test Scores These Days?

Just over half. About 779,000 students applying as freshmen through the Common App included an SAT or ACT score in 2025-26. About 748,000 didn’t. That’s the first time since 2019-20 that more students sent a score than skipped it.

Can Test Scores Affect Merit Scholarships Even at Test-Optional Schools?

They can. The college may let you apply without SAT or ACT scores, while a particular scholarship has its own rules. That’s why it’s important to check that scholarship before leaving the score out.

Will the SAT or ACT Eventually Become Required Everywhere Again?

There’s no sign that every college is going back to required testing. Some are bringing the SAT or ACT back. Others, like Boston College, Rice, Amherst, and Wake Forest, are still test-optional and haven’t announced an end date.