Over the past few years, many families have asked me the same question:
“Do students still need to take the SAT or ACT?”
The short answer is: it depends on the school—but tests are definitely not disappearing.
During the pandemic, many colleges adopted test-optional policies, meaning students could apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. That led many families to wonder whether standardized tests were becoming less important.
Recently, however, the landscape has started to shift again. Some highly selective universities have reintroduced testing requirements, while others remain test-optional.
So what does that mean for students today?
What “Test Optional” Actually Means
A test-optional policy means students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
But if a student has strong scores, they can still submit them, and those scores may strengthen their application.
In other words, test-optional does not necessarily mean test scores don’t matter. For many students, they can still be a helpful part of the application.
What About Ivy League Schools?
Several Ivy League universities have recently returned to requiring standardized tests.
Schools such as Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, and Yale have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements for upcoming admissions cycles, while others remain test-optional.
At highly selective schools, strong test scores can still provide an important signal of academic readiness, especially because admissions offices are comparing students from thousands of different high schools.
Are UC Schools Requiring the SAT?
No.
The entire University of California system — including UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC Irvine — is currently test-free. This means they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all in admissions decisions.
What About Cal State Schools?
The California State University system also does not use SAT or ACT scores for admission decisions.
Admission is based primarily on GPA and coursework.
What About Large Public Universities?
Many large public universities across the country — particularly in states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas — still require or strongly consider SAT or ACT scores.
These schools often use test scores not only for admission decisions, but also for scholarship eligibility and honors programs.
Should My Student Take the SAT or ACT if They Are Applying to UC Schools?
This is a question I hear often.
Even though the University of California system does not consider SAT or ACT scores, many students are still applying to a mix of universities, including private schools or out-of-state public universities that may require or recommend test scores.
For those students, taking the SAT or ACT can keep more options open.
There are also cases where students discover that they test very well, and a strong score becomes a useful part of their application when applying outside the UC system.
When I Sometimes Recommend Skipping the Test
Testing isn’t the right choice for every student.
In some situations, it may make more sense for a student to focus their time on:
maintaining strong grades
taking challenging coursework
developing extracurricular interests
preparing strong college essays
If a student is applying primarily to test-free or test-optional schools and standardized testing causes significant stress, it may not be the best investment of time and energy.
Every student’s situation is different, and the right approach depends on their goals, strengths, and the schools they are considering.
Helpful Resources to Check Testing Policies
Because policies change frequently, it’s helpful to check reliable databases that track testing requirements.
I like to use the FairTest database to check test-optional colleges. If there’s a particular university you’re interested in, I strongly recommend visiting their respective admissions page to verify their testing requirements.
The Bottom Line
Standardized testing isn’t disappearing, but it also isn’t required everywhere.
Some universities have returned to testing requirements.
Others remain test-optional.
And some systems, like the University of California, do not consider scores at all.
For many students, taking the SAT or ACT simply keeps more options open.
The most important thing is approaching the decision thoughtfully and, if a student does take the test, preparing in a way that builds both skill and confidence.
— Melissa
Founder, KOR Prep