Princeton University has formally declared that SAT or ACT scores will once again be mandatory for all undergraduate applicants, starting with the Fall 2027 admission cycle. This pivotal announcement brings an end to the university’s seven-year stint with test-optional admissions, a policy initially implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic to accommodate students facing difficulties accessing testing centers. With this reinstatement, Princeton joins a growing number of elite institutions reverting to standardized testing requirements, leaving Columbia University as the sole Ivy League school committed to a permanent test-optional policy.
The rationale behind Princeton’s decision stems from an extensive review of five years of admissions data collected during its test-optional phase. This internal analysis revealed a clear trend: students who chose to submit their standardized test scores consistently demonstrated stronger academic performance once enrolled at Princeton, compared to those who did not. As reported by the Daily Princetonian, the university explicitly stated, ‘The decision to resume testing requirements follows a review of five years of data from the test-optional period, which found that academic performance at Princeton was stronger for students who chose to submit test scores than for students who did not.’ This data-driven shift in admissions strategy is set to realign Princeton’s approach more closely with many of its Ivy League counterparts.
Shifting Landscape: Standardized Testing Policies Before and After Covid-19
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, submitting SAT or ACT scores was a standard requirement for applicants to most U.S. universities. However, a burgeoning movement questioning the fairness and predictive accuracy of these tests had already led several institutions to embrace test-optional policies. The pandemic dramatically expedited this transition, as widespread closures of testing centers and other logistical hurdles compelled many schools to temporarily waive their testing requirements.
By 2022, a significant majority—approximately 80%—of undergraduate institutions across the U.S. had adopted test-optional admissions, according to various education studies. Yet, this broad shift is now seeing a notable reversal, particularly among the nation’s most prestigious universities. Princeton’s recent announcement is part of a larger trend, following similar decisions by Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania, all of whom have either reinstated or intend to reinstate testing requirements for their upcoming 2024-26 admissions cycles.
Ivy League Testing Policies: A Snapshot
| Ivy League School | Testing Policy Pre-Covid | Test-Optional Policy During Covid | Planned Reinstatement Year |
| Princeton | Required | Test-optional (2020–2027) | Fall 2027 |
| Harvard | Required | Test-optional (2020–2025) | Fall 2025 |
| Brown | Required | Test-optional (2020–2025) | Fall 2025 |
| Dartmouth | Required | Test-optional (2020–2025) | Fall 2025 |
| UPenn | Required | Test-optional (2020–2025) | Fall 2025 |
| Yale | Required | Test-flexible (SAT, ACT, AP, IB) | Fall 2025 |
| Cornell | Required | Varies by school (2020–2025) | Fall 2025 |
| Columbia | Required | Permanently test-optional | N/A |
The Rationale Behind Reinstating Standardized Tests
Princeton’s decision to re-mandate SAT or ACT scores underscores its commitment to assessing applicants’ academic preparedness and ensuring a consistent evaluation process. University officials have reiterated that standardized test scores are merely one component of a comprehensive, holistic admissions review. Their official statement, as cited by the Daily Princetonian, emphasized this point: ‘There are no minimum test score requirements for admission. All information in each student’s application is considered in the student’s individual context,’ implying that scores will be weighed alongside essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and high school transcripts.
Notably, the university has also made a specific exception for active military personnel, allowing them to apply without submitting test scores. This thoughtful provision acknowledges the unique challenges military members face in accessing testing facilities, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in the admissions process.
Merits and Demerits of Reinstating Standardized Testing
| Merit of Reinstating SAT/ACT Testing | Demerit of Reinstating SAT/ACT Testing |
| Provides a common metric to compare students from diverse backgrounds | May disadvantage students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds with limited access to test preparation resources |
| Helps predict academic success and preparedness for rigorous university study | Critics argue standardized tests can perpetuate racial and socioeconomic inequities |
| Offers a standardized benchmark amid varying high school grading systems | High-stakes testing can cause stress and pressure on students |
| Facilitates admissions decisions during scrutiny of other evaluation factors such as affirmative action | Test scores may not fully capture a student’s potential or capabilities |
Comparing Policies: Columbia and Other Ivy League Institutions
Following Princeton’s announcement, Columbia University now stands as the sole Ivy League institution to uphold a permanent test-optional admissions policy. This distinctive stance highlights Columbia’s unwavering commitment to its chosen model, irrespective of the ongoing discourse surrounding the efficacy and equity of standardized tests. In contrast, Yale University employs a ‘test-flexible’ approach, providing applicants with a broader spectrum of options including SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) scores.
Current Ivy League Admissions Policies
| Ivy League School | Current Policy Status | Notes |
| Columbia | Permanently test-optional | No test score required for admission |
| Yale | Test-flexible | Accepts SAT, ACT, AP, or IB scores |
| Princeton | Will require SAT/ACT starting 2027 | Test-optional until Fall 2027 |
| Harvard | Reinstated SAT/ACT from Fall 2025 | Test scores now required |
| Brown | Reinstated SAT/ACT from Fall 2025 | Test scores now required |
Broader Implications for University Admissions
The decision by Princeton and other leading Ivy League institutions to reinstate standardized testing indicates a significant re-evaluation of admissions criteria across elite U.S. universities. Advocates for standardized tests contend that these scores offer an objective and consistent metric for evaluating academic readiness, which is particularly valuable given the wide variations in high school grading systems and curricula nationwide.
Conversely, critics argue that standardized tests often exacerbate systemic inequities. They point out that access to quality test preparation resources and convenient testing centers remains uneven, disproportionately affecting students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The Covid-19 pandemic vividly exposed these disparities, as many students faced insurmountable barriers to taking exams, which initially catalyzed the shift towards test-optional policies.
Ultimately, the ongoing debate surrounding standardized testing in college admissions represents a delicate balancing act between academic rigor and equity. Princeton’s move reflects a concerted effort to ensure that admitted students are fully prepared for the demanding academic environment of the university, while still attempting to uphold holistic review processes that consider a diverse range of an applicant’s background, experiences, and achievements.