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The world of college admissions is still feeling the ripple effects of test-optional policies in 2025. While some schools have brought back SAT and ACT requirements, others remain flexible—or have gone completely test-free. If you’re aiming for the Ivy League or other top-tier schools, it’s essential to know which colleges expect scores and how to stand out either way.
What Do Test-Optional Policies Really Mean for Students?
Test-optional means you can submit scores, but you don’t have to. If you think your SAT or ACT score strengthens your application, send it. If not, leave it out. Admissions teams promise to review your application the same way either way. But there’s a catch: test-optional doesn’t mean test-irrelevant. At selective colleges, scores can still tip the balance—especially when everything else is equal.
Why Colleges Made the Shift to Test-Optional?
The shift began during the pandemic when SAT and ACT test dates were canceled or delayed. But the deeper reasons go further:
- Not all students have equal access to testing centers or prep resources
- Studies from FairTest and others showed strong links between income and test scores
- Many students reported lower anxiety and stronger applications without test requirements
“I was REALLY worried about the standardized testing aspect of my application and genuinely thought I was screwed for all my apps. It ended up being ok in the end. Once you get to senior fall, you’re going to be spread so thin n stressing abt testing won’t help at all. Please study up”
Which Ivy League Schools Are Test-Optional for Fall 2025?
As of now, test policies are split across the Ivy League:
School | Fall 2025 Testing Policy |
Harvard | Test-optional |
Yale | Requires SAT or ACT |
Princeton | Test-optional |
Columbia | Test-optional |
Brown | Test-optional |
UPenn | Test-optional |
Cornell | Test-optional for most programs |
Dartmouth | Requires SAT or ACT |
Outside the Ivy League:
- MIT and Georgetown now require test scores again
- Stanford, Duke, and Northwestern remain test-optional

Do SAT and ACT Scores Still Matter for Top Colleges?
It’s one of the biggest questions students and parents keep asking—and the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” After the pandemic prompted widespread test-optional policies, many top colleges reassessed how they evaluate applicants. But just because a school no longer requires SAT or ACT scores doesn’t mean those scores don’t matter. For many elite schools, strong test scores can still significantly boost your chances of getting in.
Top colleges are under intense pressure to balance fairness with academic excellence. While they emphasize holistic review, the SAT and ACT still offer a standardized way to compare students from different high schools and grading systems.
The real shift isn’t about whether the tests matter, but about how students choose to use them. For applicants with strong grades and access to solid prep resources, high test scores can confirm academic strength and even lead to merit scholarships. For others, especially those from underrepresented or underserved communities, the option to apply without scores can open doors that used to be closed. Still, when thousands of applicants have perfect GPAs, test scores often serve as a key differentiator.
What’s New in the 2025 Admissions Cycle?
Legacy Online School helps students build the confidence and skills they need to succeed on the SAT® and ACT®. All lessons are delivered live online, with real-time support and feedback from qualified instructors who are fully invested in your progress. If you’re serious about improving your score, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Several key changes are shaping the Class of 2025:
- Digital SAT is now the only version offered—shorter and adaptive, but just as valid
- Yale and Dartmouth now require test scores again, citing stronger academic predictions
- More schools are evaluating their test-optional results, meaning further policy shifts could happen soon
- Some colleges have added score-free scholarships, where students can only qualify if they don’t submit test scores
What Alternatives Exist to Standardized Testing?
If you’re skipping test scores, you’ll need to make the rest of your application even stronger. Here’s what schools look at:
- GPA and course rigor
- AP or IB scores (especially for STEM or competitive majors)
- Essays that show voice, depth, and direction
- Extracurriculars and leadership
- Letters of recommendation
Test-Free vs. Test-Optional
These terms aren’t interchangeable. Let’s see the difference:
Policy | What It Means? |
Test-Optional | Scores are accepted but not required |
Test-Free | Scores are not considered at all—don’t send them |
Holistic Admissions and Non-Test Metrics
Top colleges say they practice holistic admissions, which means they evaluate the full picture—not just numbers. What that includes:
- The story your transcript tells over four years
- Your intellectual curiosity and fit with the school
- Your personal background and resilience
- How well you align with the college’s mission
“I think holistic admissions builds a far more well-rounded, compassionate cohort on the whole”
Top Tips from Our Expert
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Maya Robinson, AP Program Advisor at Legacy Online School
Sources: College Board, FairTest, Reddit