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SAT/ACT

Which Universities Require SAT Again?

Learn examples of US universities that require SAT or ACT again and why students must verify current testing policies before applying.

5 min readPublished 2026-08-04Last reviewed 2026-08-04

By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy study-abroad testing desk.

Study abroad admissions guide representing SAT and ACT planning

Quick answer

Examples currently include Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford, MIT, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Purdue, UT Austin, and several public university systems. The list changes frequently.

Key takeaways

  • Examples currently include Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford, MIT, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Purdue, UT Austin, and several public university systems. The list changes frequently.
  • Use College Board BigFuture's current list and each university's official admissions page. Pay attention to:
  • Current cycle Future-cycle reinstatement Test-flexible alternatives International exceptions Program-specific requirements Scholarship requirements
  • Do not rely on old test-optional lists from the pandemic years.
  • Use Oxbrivy Application Tracking to save testing-policy proof for every university.

Oxbrivy practical ranking

Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.

1

College testing policy

Best for: Checking whether each college is test required, optional, preferred, flexible, or blind.

Watch out: Old test-optional lists can be wrong for the 2026 cycle.

2

Score value

Best for: Comparing SAT or ACT scores with each college's middle 50 percent range.

Watch out: A score is only good or weak in relation to a target college, program, and scholarship rule.

3

Deadline strategy

Best for: Planning attempts, retakes, superscore use, and score-sending before ED, EA, RD, and scholarship deadlines.

Watch out: Retaking without a real payoff can steal time from grades, essays, and applications.

Quick answer

Examples currently include Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford, MIT, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Caltech, Georgia Tech, Purdue, UT Austin, and several public university systems. The list changes frequently.

US and UK admissions guide representing testing strategy for Indian students
SAT/ACT decisions should be made college by college, not by generic score myths.

Expanded answer

Use College Board BigFuture's current list and each university's official admissions page. Pay attention to:

Current cycle Future-cycle reinstatement Test-flexible alternatives International exceptions Program-specific requirements Scholarship requirements

Do not rely on old test-optional lists from the pandemic years.

US university campus representing SAT and ACT testing strategy for college admissions
Oxbrivy helps students compare testing policy, score value, scholarships, and application deadlines in one workflow.

How Oxbrivy helps

Use Oxbrivy Application Tracking to save testing-policy proof for every university.

Mini FAQ

Are all Ivy League colleges test required? No, policies vary. Did Stanford require testing again? Stanford's current page says ACT or SAT scores are required. Can policies change after I shortlist? Yes, so re-check before applying.

Sources and review note

This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.

Build your own country shortlist

The article gives a general ranking. Oxbrivy can turn your profile, budget, scores, and course goals into a personalised country and university roadmap.

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