For students applying in 2026–27 (to start college in fall 2027), six of the eight Ivy League schools require the SAT or ACT: Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn and Yale. Columbia and Princeton are test-optional this year, and both will require the SAT or ACT starting with the 2027–28 application cycle.
Ivy League testing policies at a glance
| School | 2026–27 applicants (fall 2027 start) | Starting 2027–28 | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | Required (SAT or ACT) | Required | Superscores; rare exceptions for students unable to test |
| Columbia | Optional | Required | Waivers available when the requirement starts |
| Cornell | Required (SAT or ACT) | Required | Applies to all eight undergraduate colleges |
| Dartmouth | Required | Required | U.S. students: SAT or ACT. International students have other options. Superscores |
| Harvard | Required (SAT or ACT) | Required | AP, IB or national exams accepted only when the SAT/ACT isn't accessible |
| Penn | Required (SAT or ACT) | Required | Hardship waiver available |
| Princeton | Optional | Required | No disadvantage for applying without scores in 2026–27 |
| Yale | Required (SAT or ACT) | Required | AP and IB no longer count toward the requirement |
Sources: each school's official admissions website, checked October 9, 2026. Policies change, so confirm on the school's site before you apply.
Why the Ivies went back to requiring tests
Most Ivies went test-optional in 2020, when the pandemic made testing hard to access. Since 2024 they have reviewed their own students' data, and most have reached a similar conclusion: test scores, read in the context of a student's school and background, help predict how students do in their classes.
Harvard. Announcing Harvard's return to required testing in April 2024, Hopi Hoekstra, dean of Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said: "Standardized tests are a means for all students, regardless of their background and life experience, to provide information that is predictive of success in college and beyond."
Yale. Yale first moved to a "test-flexible" policy that accepted AP or IB scores, then in May 2026 announced it would require the SAT or ACT. Pericles Lewis, dean of Yale College, said: "SAT and ACT scores are strong predictors of a student's future Yale academic performance." Jeremiah Quinlan, Yale's dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, added: "Academic strength is the admissions committee's first and most important consideration when evaluating candidates."
Brown. Brown's provost, Francis J. Doyle III, said in March 2024 that "SAT and ACT scores are among the key indicators that help predict a student's ability to succeed and thrive in Brown's demanding academic environment."
Dartmouth. Dartmouth's admissions office points to a study by Dartmouth economists that found "high school grades paired with standardized testing are the most reliable indicators for success in Dartmouth's course of study." It also says testing will be "one factor—but never the primary factor" in its review.
Cornell. Michael Kotlikoff, then Cornell's provost, said that considering test scores "actually promotes access to students from a wider range of backgrounds and circumstances."
Columbia. In June 2026, Columbia's admissions office said a multi-year faculty review found that "test scores, among other factors, were a useful indicator of potential student success."
Princeton. Princeton says its review of five years of test-optional data found that academic performance at Princeton was stronger for students who submitted scores.
Penn. Penn says it reinstated testing partly to "remove uncertainty for applicants trying to decide whether to include their test scores."
What "required" does and doesn't mean
- No cutoffs. None of the eight publishes a minimum score, and all say scores are read in context.
- Superscoring. Brown and Dartmouth say they consider your highest section scores across test dates.
- One factor among many. Every school describes testing as part of a holistic review alongside your transcript, essays, recommendations and activities.
What this means for you
- If you're applying in 2026–27, plan to take the SAT or ACT unless Columbia and Princeton are your only Ivies.
- Check test date deadlines: several Ivies list the last test dates they accept for early and regular decision.
- Testing is one piece. Your transcript, and how well a school fits the way you learn and live, matter far more for whether a school is right for you.
FAQ
Does Harvard require the SAT? Yes. Harvard requires the SAT or ACT, with AP, IB or national exams accepted only when those tests aren't accessible.
Does Yale require the SAT? Yes. Starting with 2026–27 applicants, Yale requires the SAT or ACT; AP and IB scores no longer satisfy the requirement.
Does Princeton require the SAT? Not for 2026–27 applicants. Princeton will require the SAT or ACT starting with the 2027–28 cycle.
Is Columbia test-optional? Yes, for 2026–27. Columbia will require the SAT or ACT starting with the 2027–28 cycle.
Which Ivy League schools require the SAT? For 2026–27: Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn and Yale.
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Related
- What Ivy League admissions officers say they look for
- The 8 Ivy League schools: how they actually differ
Sources
- Brown University Admission, Standardized Tests; Brown news release, March 5, 2024.
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, Testing Policy Update, June 12, 2026.
- Cornell University Admissions, Standardized Testing Policy; Cornell Chronicle, April 2024.
- Dartmouth Admissions, Dartmouth's Testing Guidelines; Reactivating Dartmouth's Testing Policy, February 2024.
- Harvard College, Application Requirements; Harvard Gazette, April 11, 2024.
- Penn Admissions, Application Requirements; Penn Today announcement.
- Princeton Admission, Standardized Testing.
- Yale News, May 27, 2026; Yale Admissions, Application Update 2026–2027, August 17, 2026.