Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 23, 2024

ENROLL NOW UT AUSTIN SHAKE-UP Despite the return of a standardized testing requirement for applicants that began this cycle, UT Austin saw a third consecutive year of record-breaking application numbers. SAT Tutoring Expert one-on-one guidance to boost your score.

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Great College Advice

NOVEMBER 5, 2024

What About Standardized Test Scores? The other academic factor is your test score on the ACT or SAT. Now much has been said about the diminishing importance of standardized tests in the admissions process. Many colleges and universities were “test-optional” before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

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Admissions Standardized Testing Letters of Recommendation Transcripts 87

Excelsior Admissions Consulting

JANUARY 8, 2025

Standardized testing is becoming more important for students applying to selective colleges. Several colleges, including Brown, MIT, Stanford, Cornell (for students applying next year), and UT Austin are requiring standardized test scores from applicants. Read the release here. Read the article here. 45% of the U.S.

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AdmissionSight

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Standardized test scores Harvard has reinstated its requirement for standardized test scores beginning with the class of 2029, meaning applicants must now submit SAT or ACT results as part of their application. Academic Excellence: GPA, Standardized Tests, and Course Rigor Getting into Harvard University is simply tough.

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 18, 2025

In recent years, many of the most selective colleges have returned to relying on standardized testing. HOW STUDENTS CAN STAND OUT As grade inflation continues to shape high school academics, students need to focus on genuine learning, course rigor, standardized test scores, and outside achievements.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 16, 2025

As one of the first high school standardized tests a student takes, the PSAT can set the stage for teenagers’ expectations of themselves and future exams. The test is a critical milestone for expressing academic and college readiness; your students’ confidence on test day often reflects how well-prepared they are.

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Admissions Village

JUNE 19, 2024

High School Profile: A document supplied by high schools to colleges that summarizes the school’s grading system, course offerings, standardized test score ranges, and other important data. Test Optiona l: A policy adopted by some colleges where submitting SAT or ACT scores is not mandatory. Only junior year scores are NMSQTs.

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 20, 2025

The landscape of college admissions continues to shift as universities re-evaluate the role of standardized testing in the application process. In a major policy change, the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has announced that it will reinstate its standardized testing requirement for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 14, 2025

Unlock Students Potential: Introducing Our New Classic Learning Test Prep (CLT Prep)getting them closer to a score highlighting their college admissions strengths. What is the CLT Test? Were confident in their ability to shine brightly through this standardized test with adequate preparation.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 22, 2024

While Stanford remains test-optional for those applying this cycle, applicants to the Class of 2030 will once again be required to submit a standardized test score. Stanford has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,049 students and an acceptance rate of less than 4%. Interested in reading more about Stanford?

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Berkeley² Academy

MARCH 8, 2025

Changes to standardized testing requirements Some colleges that have maintained test-optional policies include Princeton, the University of Maryland, and Texas A&M. However, many of the most competitive schoolsincluding Caltech, Stanford, and Cornellhave reinstated testing requirements.

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AdmissionSight

NOVEMBER 16, 2024

won’t require standardized test scores. The rise of the best test optional colleges is changing the game, giving students new ways to stand out in the admissions process. If you have test anxiety, decided to skip the SAT or ACT, or didn’t quite hit the scores you hoped for, you’re not out of luck.

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Excelsior Admissions Consulting

NOVEMBER 11, 2024

Reasons for Sophomores and Juniors to Take the PSAT Sophomores Can use the PSAT score to help them determine whether they want to focus on preparing and taking the SAT or ACT test for college admissions. The section scores on the PSAT can also identify areas in which the student is stronger and which areas they may need support.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Brown University: Class of 2028 Acceptance Rate Breaking News: Brown Requires Standardized Test Scores Get into Brown: 5 Insider Tips Brown University: Acceptance Rates & Statistics If you enjoyed this post, follow us on Instagram @toptieradmissions for more tips and subscribe to our blog for expert insights & college admissions news !

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Top Tier Admissions

FEBRUARY 21, 2025

Looking to raise your standardized testing scores? However, this means students should think carefully about these scores in context with the rest of your application so you can put your best foot forward and gauge which score(s) to report. Work with one of our expert tutors this spring!

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AdmissionSight

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

For Fall 2025 applicants, Cornell remains test-optional, giving students the choice to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, this policy will change for Fall 2026 admissions, when standardized test scores will once again be required. Understanding Cornells shifting test policies is crucial for applicants.

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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? While both are standardized tests, there are a few key differences between them.

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Top Tier Admissions

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

Test scores Unlike the many colleges that have reinstated standardized testing requirements , the UC schools remain test-blind and will not consider SAT or ACT scores. They do, however, allow students to report AP and IB exams, and non-native English speakers are required to submit an English language proficiency test.

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Peterson's Blog

JANUARY 28, 2025

Introducing our new PSAT Preparation Course crafted to give students a solid foundation for one of their first high school standardized tests. What Is the PSAT Test? Empower learners to achieve higher PSAT scores, build confidence, and highlight their strengths for college admissions and scholarships!

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PSAT Standardized Testing Scholarships SAT 59

Great College Advice

JANUARY 7, 2025

Your high school counselor will hopefully be a great resource for questions along the way, whether it be pointing you to potential college majors, standardized test advice, local college fair details, local scholarship information, and help with high school course selection.

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Top Tier Admissions

JANUARY 17, 2025

ENROLL NOW TTA Top Tip: Despite Duke University being test-optional, we strongly encourage our students to prepare for and take standardized tests whenever possible due to the ever-changing attitude of selective institutions towards standardized testing policies.

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Georgia Tech Admissions Blog

FEBRUARY 7, 2025

I avoid knowing those numbers specifically because they dont really signify much these days; plus I dont want to give the impression that we see prospective students as potential test scores in next years app pool. So how are we really using those scores? It depends!

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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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AdmissionSight

JANUARY 20, 2025

Standardized test scores (optional). They accept both, but standardized test scores are optional. Even though its hard to get into Stanford with or without test scores, submitting your best results can only help. Extracurriculars. Focus on leadership roles and how youve pursued your passions. Interview (optional).

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Top Tier Admissions

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Renewed Interest in Test Scores For the first time since 2021, more applicants submitted test scores than did not, despite widespread test-optional policies. This trend signals a growing perception of the value of standardized testing, as students aim to bolster their applications.

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Peterson's Blog

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

Preparing for Major Exams or Transitions —Standardized tests, college admissions, or transitioning to a new grade level can be stressful. Language Barriers —You may struggle with comprehension or expression if you are a non-native speaker or are learning in a second language. Ask questions.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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Spark Admissions

APRIL 11, 2023

According to Columbia, this move was prompted by a growing recognition of the flaws in standardized testing and the school’s desire to make the admissions process more equitable and accessible to a broader range of students. For decades, standardized tests have been central to the college admissions process.

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ACM College Consulting

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

Prepare for Standardized Tests If you plan to take the SAT or ACT, start preparing now. Plan to take the test at least twice this spring and summer to meet fall deadlines. While most colleges are test-free or test-optional, remember that more and more schools are shifting back to requiring testing.

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HelloCollege

JANUARY 21, 2025

When planning for college , standardized test scores still stand out as one of the most important factors in applying to college. Experience Tutors with extensive experience, particularly those who specialize in standardized tests, often charge more.

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Admissions Village

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Duke also came out with an announcement this week that said they will no longer assign a numerical score to standardized test scores, SAT or ACT or students’ essays. Yet 93% of Duke applicants submit standardized testing, and according to Duke, scores and the content of their essays will still be a part of their admissions review.

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The Koppelman Group

MARCH 21, 2025

Teenagers with dyslexia face unique challenges during the college application process on top of the usual stress of essays, deadlines, and standardized tests, theyre also navigating reading and writing difficulties that can make the process feel overwhelming. Its the result of strategic, well-planned decisions made over time.

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Top Tier Admissions

MARCH 11, 2025

With shifts in policies around admissions practices, standardized testing, and institutional priorities, it can be difficult to determine what still holds weight in the college application process.

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BestColleges

JULY 18, 2024

Many colleges and universities went test-optional during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have recently reinstated standardized testing requirements. The science section requirement is being removed from the ACT, and the test will be shorter to be more flexible and manageable for students. The ACT Education Corp.,

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HelloCollege

FEBRUARY 6, 2025

With that in mind, take practice tests, review test prep books , and consider investing in a test prep tutor to maximize your score For a comprehensive guide to preparing for both standardized tests prepared by a HelloCollege tutor, visit How to Study for the SAT and ACT? Can tutoring improve SAT scores?

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HelloCollege

JANUARY 16, 2025

Instead of requiring students to submit a full application with essays, activities list , recommendation letters , and other traditional elements, some colleges proactively offer admission to students based on information already available, like GPA, standardized test scores, or self-reported academic achievements.

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Peterson's Blog

OCTOBER 23, 2024

Standardized tests, like the SAT and ACT, are used to determine academic readiness and skills for entering university. In this blog, we will cover the current data on scores year after year, factors associated with the changes, and how to best approach these standardized tests in light of recent data.

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