Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

In March 2023, Columbia University announced that it would permanently drop the SAT/ACT requirement for undergraduate admissions. The decision by Columbia to abandon the SAT/ACT requirement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing debate around standardized testing in higher education and in the overall future of college admissions.

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Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 21, 2025

The University of Miami has announced a significant policy update for prospective students. Starting with the Fall 2026 application cycle, undergraduate applicants will once again be required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) as part of their application.

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BestColleges

MARCH 8, 2024

Starting in fall 2024, Brown University will require students to submit SAT or ACT scores. Brown becomes the third Ivy League school, following Yale and Dartmouth, to reinstate standardized testing requirements. So did Dartmouth, which became the first Ivy to return to standardized testing.

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BestColleges

JULY 18, 2024

Students will have the option to take the science portion of the ACT, similar to the optional writing portion. The math, reading, and English core test will be reduced from three hours to two hours to curb test-taking fatigue. The new ACT will roll out online in spring 2025 and in school in spring 2026.

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BestColleges

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Dartmouth researchers found SAT and ACT scores can help identify high-achieving, under-resourced students since the college looks at scores in context to where a student is from. Dartmouth College is reinstating its standardized testing requirements after removing them during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

As of this morning, Yale is the second Ivy League school to require standardized test scores, following Dartmouth’s lead and citing research that test-optional policies adversely affect high-scoring low-income students. This new policy will begin with students applying to enter in the fall of 2025.

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Ivy College Essay

AUGUST 22, 2023

In recent times, standardized testing policies for Ivy League universities have undergone significant changes, especially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and growing concerns about equity in college admissions.

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Top Tier Admissions

JULY 22, 2024

As the school year approaches, it’s time to finalize your standardized test prep plan and mark your calendar with upcoming SAT and ACT test dates. Not sure which test is your forte? In an ideal world, we recommend beginning one-on-one test prep a few months ahead of your scheduled test date.

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BestColleges

AUGUST 27, 2024

Johns Hopkins University has reinstated standardized test requirements. Students applying in fall 2025 must submit SAT or ACT scores, while those applying this fall are encouraged to do so. Hopkins says test scores more accurately predict academic success and enable disadvantaged students to demonstrate their potential.

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Top Tier Admissions

APRIL 23, 2024

Cornell will reintroduce standardized testing requirements for undergraduate admissions starting in fall 2026, based on findings from a university Task Force on Standardized Testing in Admissions and pressure from peer institutions.

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BestColleges

OCTOBER 12, 2023

The average composite ACT score dropped from 19.8 More students in the class of 2023 took the ACT test from the previous year. More students met none of the ACT benchmarks, compared to the previous year. The average composite score on the ACT dropped for the sixth-straight year from 19.8 for the class of 2023.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. While it may be beneficial to take both tests, this blog will answer the question, “Do you need both ACT and SAT for college? What Are the ACT and SAT?

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 5, 2024

As of this morning, Brown is the third Ivy League school to reinstate standardized test scores, following Yale and Dartmouth’s lead and citing academic performance as the leading factor that influenced the decision. This new policy will begin with the class of 2029.

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Solomon Admissions

MAY 4, 2023

Understanding the Pros and Cons For decades, the SAT and ACT have been a staple in the college admissions process. However, in recent years, there has been debate about whether these standardized tests are still relevant in today's college admissions landscape. So, are the SAT and ACT still relevant for college admissions?

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Admissions.Blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2024

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College has announced that it will yet again require high school students to share either an SAT or ACT score as part of their application for admission. The change takes effect for students applying for Fall 2025 admission (those students who will begin their applications in Summer or Fall 2024).

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ACM College Consulting

MAY 3, 2024

In 2024, we have already seen several selective universities, including MIT, Cornell, Yale and Brown announce that they will once again require test scores of some sort (each policy is frustratingly different or vague) for the next application year. Students should research the admissions policies and data of the schools on their list.

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Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

Then, as the pandemic continued, many colleges extended their policies for another year or longer. Initially, however, it seemed like the Ivy League was eager to return to requiring test scores. Well, for one thing, the number of applications to top colleges shot up once the testing requirement disappeared. Final Thoughts.

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Koodoos Learning

OCTOBER 9, 2022

that are now test-optional, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.” Now more than ever, public and private institutions alike are opting for test-optional or test-flexible. 4 Frequently Asked Questions about “Test-Optional”. Why would I take the SAT or ACT if I don’t have to take it?

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BestColleges

MARCH 1, 2024

Yale University announced it is reinstating standardized test requirements. Beginning next fall, students can submit SAT or ACT scores, or AP or IB exam results. The university believes mandatory test requirements can help level the playing field for disadvantaged students. Yale has officially become "test-flexible."

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Spark Admissions

JUNE 9, 2023

In addition to being administered completely digitally, the test will have some new features that could make it a better or worse option for you, particularly in the context of extended test-optional admissions policies. you already have a choice between the SAT and the ACT. What are the major changes to the SAT?

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Expert Admissions

MARCH 20, 2023

With so many colleges extending test-optional policies put in place during the pandemic, you may be wondering how much effort you should put into standardized testing. So, knowing that test scores can be important, how do you decide whether to take the SAT or the ACT?

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Spark Admissions

JANUARY 28, 2022

The past few years have seen an unprecedented number of American colleges and universities suspend or even completely drop their requirement that applicants submit standardized test scores from the SAT or ACT. Recently, in response, the College Board has announced major changes to the SAT.

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BestColleges

MARCH 12, 2024

The University of Pennsylvania will extend its test-optional policy for another year. Students applying in fall 2024 will not have to submit SAT or ACT scores. Penn's announcement follows news that Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown will reinstate standardized test requirements beginning next fall.

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BestColleges

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Data Summary Check Less than half of students (47%) say that the use of standardized test scores to assess applicants in college admissions is fair. Check Among students who submitted standardized test scores to a college, 56% say their score may have helped their chances of getting accepted to the school of their choice.

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Solomon Admissions

JUNE 29, 2023

In addition to the usual application materials, like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays, students are often asked to submit standardized test scores from either the SAT or ACT exam when applying to college. SAT/ACT scores are used by colleges to try and standardize students across the country.

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Shemmassian Academic Consulting

JULY 9, 2023

This became especially true in 2020, given changes in test administration and colleges’ testing policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two years later, colleges continue to update their testing requirements, with some extending their test-optional periods and others opting for permanent changes.

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

JUNE 14, 2024

Let’s explore the specifics of Notre Dame’s ACT scores and requirements. What is the average ACT score at Notre Dame? Reflecting its commitment to academic excellence, Notre Dame’s average composite ACT score stands around 34 out of 36, surpassing the national average significantly. Should I go test-optional?

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

MARCH 2, 2024

Columbia University, a distinguished Ivy League institution, sets high standards for its applicants, with standardized testing playing a pivotal role in the college admissions process. This article delves into Columbia University’s specific ACT requirements and provides insights into the average ACT scores expected.

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

MARCH 13, 2024

Among the various elements of the college application process, standardized testing plays a significant role. This article delves into Cornell-specific ACT requirements and Cornell ACT scores. What is the average ACT score at Cornell? What is the average ACT English score at Cornell?

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Top Tier Admissions

MAY 17, 2024

Yale’s Class of 2028 early acceptance rate was the lowest since Yale adopted its current single-choice non-binding early action policy — 9.02%. Brown University , Harvard University and Cornell University have also shifted their policies to require SAT or ACT scores, as have many other highly selective schools.

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Princeton University, an esteemed Ivy League institution, upholds rigorous standards for its applicants, with standardized testing playing a crucial role in the college admissions process. What is the average ACT score at Princeton University? What is the average ACT English score at Princeton University?

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

Princeton University, an esteemed Ivy League institution, upholds rigorous standards for its applicants, with standardized testing playing a crucial role in the college admissions process. What is the average ACT score at Princeton University? What is the average ACT English score at Princeton University?

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BestColleges

JUNE 11, 2024

Students applying for fall 2025 undergraduate admission to Stanford must provide their SAT or ACT scores. The university paused its testing requirement in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several universities — including Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, and Brown — have recently reinstituted standardized test requirements.

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

APRIL 24, 2024

Duke University sets high standards for its applicants, and standardized testing is a crucial aspect of the college application process. This article delves into Duke-specific ACT requirements and Duke ACT scores, shedding light on what it takes to succeed in admissions. What are Duke University’s ACT requirements?

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

JULY 31, 2024

In this article, we will explore the ACT scores and requirements for Santa Clara University. What is the average ACT score at Santa Clara University? As one would expect from a prestigious institution, Santa Clara University ACT scores are competitive. What are Santa Clara University’s ACT requirements?

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

APRIL 15, 2024

In this article, we’ll delve into Stanford’s specific ACT requirements and breakdown of Stanford ACT scores. What is the average ACT score at Stanford? In line with its commitment to academic excellence, Stanford boasts an impressive average composite ACT score of around 35 , nearing the maximum score of 36.

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Next Admit College Admissions Blog

JULY 9, 2024

In addition, Lehigh’s admissions team maintains high expectations for their applicants, including with regard to standardized testing scores. This article dives into the details of Lehigh ACT scores and requirements. What is the average ACT score at Lehigh? What is the average ACT English score at Lehigh?

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