Is the SAT returning?

Over the past month or so, several highly selective colleges have announced that they will be requiring applicants for Fall 2025 to send standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). Among these are Dartmouth College and Brown University. Applicants to Yale University will have to include test scores with their applications, or else report Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores in place of SAT or ACT scores as part of their new "test flexible" policy.

Colleges' reasons for this return to the SAT/ACT requirement may vary, but several of these schools cite research over the past decade which suggests that standardized tests, considered alongside an applicant's overall academic record, is both a helpful predictor of academic success in college and a tool that admissions offices can use to help promote equity and diversity.

I predict that some other elite colleges will follow suit, since trends such as these in college admissions tend to swing like a pendulum. I also believe that many colleges are happy with their current "test optional" policies and have no plans to change them.

This development does not significantly affect my advice for high school students considering college. My recommendation for most students, particularly those applying to elite colleges and those wishing to keep their options open, is to take the SAT or ACT sometime during their junior year. A high test score can only help you with both admissions and scholarships. A low test score may mean adjusting your strategy to include more "test optional" colleges on your list.

For those students wanting a full course with an instructor to help them prepare for the SAT, I make referrals to local tutors. Most of my clients, however, find that taking Khan Academy's free online course, and working together with me to analyze their results and adjust their study strategy, is all the extra support they need. I discuss options with my clients to devise a strategy for them that is both affordable and effective.

To learn more about the college admissions process, including standardized testing, use the contact form on my website to schedule your free one-hour consultation.