Resurgence of the SAT/ACT

Many people across America–especially students–knew that several colleges would alter their admissions policy regarding testing, at least temporarily while they managed the COVID-19 impacts. Several schools opted for a test-optional policy, in which a student could withhold their scores in order to have a higher consideration in applications. However, some other schools, such as all of the California State Universities, chose a test blind approach, giving no weight to the tests strictly for admission. Of course, as the pandemic’s severity decreased, student life would have gone back to normal. If education returned to its pre-pandemic state, would colleges also follow? The answer is that some colleges reverted, while others saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact on their admissions process. In fact, data from FairTest1 would actually reveal that “more than 80% of U.S. four-year colleges and universities will not require applicants for fall 2025 admissions to submit ACT/SAT scores.” Whether it be test-optional or test-blind, this 80% paves the way for the new norm of what rising college students should expect.

Main culprits of test blind policy

As mentioned previously, several California State Universities, or “Cal States,” would not consider standardized test scores at all. This had a significant impact, as there are so many schools within this category. Of course, it has been widely believed that the majority of Cal States would be either a safety school or a match school, meaning that it is easier to be accepted. This supports the idea of going test-blind, taking advantage of the already high acceptance rates. Although considered more selective, Universities of California, or “UCs,” would follow suit. The UC Board of Regents would release the plans of changing the test policies. At the start of the pandemic in 2021-22, the policy was test-optional, while for fall of 2023-24, it became test blind. During this time, the UC system attempted to create a whole new test specific to them to replace the SAT and ACT. However, if this test was proven to be ineffective when implemented by 2025, these schools would revert back to test blind. As of now, both Cal States and UCs will not need the SAT or ACT strictly for admissions. However, taking these tests can still be beneficial, as submitting scores may help in being placed in higher level English or math courses.

How are private schools holding up?

When schools are not part of a system like Cal States or UCs, there is a lot more flexibility in how the admissions process could work. These private schools are typically highly selective, meaning it would not be surprising to find the need for metrics like standardized test scores. Regardless, some schools still allow students to choose whether to submit their scores. Schools like University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Rice University are sticking by the test-optional policy. Some schools have adopted this policy only temporarily. For example, John Hopkins University is test-optional for fall 2025 but will revert to test-required for fall 2026. Meanwhile, universities like CalTech have already reinstated test requirements. Currently, private schools differ tremendously in how seriously they take test scores. This begs the question of how Ivy Leagues approach standardized testing.

One would expect Ivy Leagues, the top rated universities in America, to have strict application processes requiring high test scores. However, they follow a similar trend to other private schools, where it just depends where a student applies. Only a handful of Ivy Leagues schools require tests. Harvard3 follows a test-required policy, but also has a plan for “exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible,” such as using Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) scores, GCSE results, or National Leaving Exam results. Brown University reinstated its test-required policies in fall of 2024. Dartmouth has also followed with the usage of test scores to have the most accurate analysis of a student’s abilities. Even Cornell University plans on joining during fall of 2026. On the other hand, several Ivy Leagues schools have adopted a test-optional path, including Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Although Cornell University will reinstate test requirements in fall of 2026, it currently has an interesting policy. For fall of 2025, their admissions are different depending on which college within the university a student applies for. Tests are recommended if going into a college for arts & science, engineering, human ecology, public policy, or industrial and labor relations. However, it is test-blind if applying for agriculture and life sciences, architecture, art, and planning, or business. One of the most unique policies of the Ivy Leagues schools is Yale’s test flexible policy, which allows students to choose between submitting their scores from the SAT, ACT, AP, or IB. It is especially intriguing to see how different private colleges, including Ivy Leagues, have different strategies to monitor a student’s performance now that the pandemic has ended.

Trend of SAT data

College Board tracks student performance in SATs, along with demographics. They also track the number of test-takers, including multiple attempts by the same students. In 20194, there were 2,220,087. In 20205, there were 2,198,460. Starting in 20216, there was a significant drop to 1,509,133, most likely due to the pandemic. However, this was not a downward trend, as the number of test-takers began to rise in the following years. 20227 showcased 1,737,678 test takers. 20238 had 1,913,742. Finally, 20249 the number of test-takers got closer to the 2 million mark, reaching 1,973,891 test-takers.

What is interesting to note is that the College Board also has a benchmark for students to reach. Despite the pandemic, students are still performing somewhat similarly to pre-pandemic. Granted, the numbers show some decline, but more years of data are needed before a clear trend can be determined. In 20194, 68% of test-takers met the ERW benchmarks and 48% met the math benchmarks. In 20205, 66% met ERW and 48% met math. In 20216, the year with the significant drop in population numbers, students still performed well with 67% meeting ERW benchmarks and 49% for math benchmarks. 20227 had 65% of test takers meeting ERW benchmarks and 45% for math. 20238 had 62% meeting ERW and 42% meeting math. Finally, 20249 hosted students with 62% for ERW and 41% for math. This shows that, whether during or after the pandemic, students are still performing relatively the same way. Colleges reverting to previous testing policies or implementing new ones could impact students by providing more opportunities to strengthen their applications.

Sources:

https://fairtest.org/overwhelming-majority-of-u-s-colleges-and-universities-remain-act-sat-optional-or-test-blind-score-free-for-fall-2025/
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/press-room/university-california-board-regents-unanimously-approved-changes-standardized-testing
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2019-total-group-sat-suite-assessments-annual-report.pdf
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2020-total-group-sat-suite-assessments-annual-report.pdf
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/2022-04/2021-total-group-sat-suite-of-assessments-annual-report%20%281%29.pdf
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2022-total-group-sat-suite-of-assessments-annual-report.pdf
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2023-total-group-sat-suite-of-assessments-annual-report%20ADA.pdf
https://reports.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/2024-total-group-sat-suite-of-assessments-annual-report-ADA.pdf