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The conversation around standardized testing in college admissions has continued to evolve since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many universities initially adopted test-optional policies to accommodate students during the pandemic, and some have since made these policies permanent. However, several prominent public universities and specialized institutions are reinstating SAT/ACT requirements for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle.

Interestingly, half of the Ivy League schools will require standardized test scores this year, signaling a shift in the ongoing debate about how to evaluate student potential. Whether you support or oppose the use of standardized tests, it’s critical to stay updated on the requirements for the schools on your college list.

Let's explore which colleges will require SAT/ACT scores this year and how these scores influence your chances of admission.

"Which Colleges Require Standardized Tests?"

Below is a list of colleges requiring SAT/ACT scores for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. While this list is comprehensive, always check the official websites of the schools you’re applying to, as policies may change. For highly selective schools, even a "recommended" test score often feels like a requirement.

School Location

Allegheny Wesleyan College - Salem, OH
Allen College - Waterloo, IA
AmeriTech College-Draper - Draper, UT
Auburn University at Montgomery - Montgomery, AL
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Canton, OH
Ave Maria University - Ave Maria, FL
Baptist Health Sciences University - Memphis, TN
Becker College - Worcester, MA
Brigham Young University-Hawaii - Laie, HI
Brigham Young University-Idaho - Rexburg, ID
Brown University - Providence, RI
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences - Concord, NC
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Pasadena, CA
Campbellsville University - Campbellsville, KY
Carolinas College of Health Sciences - Charlotte, NC
Centra College - Lynchburg, VA
Chicago School of Professional Psychology – College of Nursing - Richardson, TX
City College-Gainesville - Gainesville, FL
Claflin University - Orangeburg, SC
Cleveland University-Kansas City - Overland Park, KS
College of Saint Mary - Omaha, NE
College of the Ozarks - Point Lookout, MO
Concorde Career College-Kansas City - Kansas City, MO
Concordia College - Bronxville, NY
Concordia University-Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI
Cumberland University - Lebanon, TN
Dartmouth College - Hanover, NH
DeVry College of New York - New York, NY
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus - Portales, NM
Edward Waters College - Jacksonville, FL
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus - Madison, NJ
FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton, FL
Florida College - Temple Terrace, FL
Florida Gulf Coast University - Fort Myers, FL
Florida Institute of Technology - Melbourne, FL
Florida International University - Miami, FL
Florida Polytechnic University - Lakeland, FL
Florida State University - Tallahassee, FL
Francis Marion University - Florence, SC
Georgetown University - Washington, DC
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus - Atlanta, GA
Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science - Cincinnati, OH
Harvard University - Cambridge, MA
HCI College - West Palm Beach, FL
Kettering College - Kettering, OH
Kuyper College - Grand Rapids, MI
LaGrange College - Lagrange, GA
Le Moyne-Owen College - Memphis, TN
Lee University - Cleveland, TN
Livingstone College - Salisbury, NC
Louisiana College - Pineville, LA
Louisiana State University-Alexandria - Alexandria, LA
Louisiana State University-Shreveport - Shreveport, LA
Louisiana Tech University - Ruston, LA
Maine College of Health Professions - Lewiston, ME
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Cambridge, MA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science - Rochester, MN
Mercy College of Health Sciences - Des Moines, IA
Methodist College - Peoria, IL
Mills College - Oakland, CA
Missouri Valley College - Marshall, MO
Mount Carmel College of Nursing - Columbus, OH
New College of Florida - Sarasota, FL
North Greenville University - Tigerville, SC
Northwestern College - Bridgeview, IL
NUC University – Florida Technical College - Tampa, FL
Ohio Valley University - Vienna, WV
Pacific College - Costa Mesa, CA
Palm Beach Atlantic University - West Palm Beach, FL
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences - Lancaster, PA
Piedmont University - Demorest, GA
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
Randall University - Moore, OK
Saint Anthony College of Nursing - Rockford, IL
Shorter University - Rome, GA
Sierra Nevada University - Incline Village, NV
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Cape Girardeau, MO
Southeastern University - Lakeland, FL
Southwest University of Visual Arts-Tucson - Tucson, AZ
Southwestern College - Winfield, KS
Spring Arbor University - Spring Arbor, MI
St Louis College of Health Careers-Fenton - Fenton, MO
St Luke’s College - Sioux City, IA
Tennessee Wesleyan University - Athens, TN
Texas A&M University-Central Texas - Killeen, TX
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga - Chattanooga, TN
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville - Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee-Martin - Martin, TN
The University of West Florida - Pensacola, FL
Touro College - New York, NY
Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses - Fort Wayne, IN
Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sciences - Rock Island, IL
Trinity International University-Illinois - Deerfield, IL
Truett McConnell University - Cleveland, GA
Union College - Barbourville, KY
United States Air Force Academy - USAF Academy, CO
United States Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point, NY
United States Military Academy (West Point) - West Point, NY
United States Naval Academy - Annapolis, MD
University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Little Rock, AR
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Pine Bluff, AR
University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL
University of Florida - Gainesville, FL
University of Georgia - Athens, GA
University of Mary - Bismarck, ND
University of North Florida - Jacksonville, FL
University of South Carolina Aiken - Aiken, SC
University of South Florida - Tampa, FL
University of Tennessee Southern - Pulaski, TN
University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) - Austin, TX
University of the Sciences - Philadelphia, PA
University of West Alabama - Livingston, AL
Wesley College - Dover, DE
West Virginia State University - Institute, WV
William Carey University - Hattiesburg, MS
William Jessup University - Rocklin, CA
William Penn University - Oskaloosa, IA
Williams Baptist University - Walnut Ridge, AR
Yale University - New Haven, CT
York College of Pennsylvania - York, PA

Source: Collegevine

"The Role of SAT/ACT Scores in Admissions"

Even at test-optional schools, strong SAT or ACT scores can significantly enhance your application. Standardized test scores provide admissions committees with a common benchmark for comparing applicants, particularly from different educational systems or grading scales.

Tips for Students Applying to Test-Required Colleges

Plan Early: Review testing policies for all the colleges on your list.
Prepare Strategically: Use reliable resources and practice tests to improve your performance.
Understand the Context: High test scores alone won’t guarantee admission. A strong application includes a solid GPA, compelling essays, and meaningful extracurricular activities.

"How Can Test Scores Boost Your Application?"

At competitive institutions, every element of your application counts. If your SAT/ACT scores fall within or exceed the average range for a school, you demonstrate your academic readiness, giving admissions officers more confidence in your ability to succeed. Tools like our free admissions tracker can help you evaluate how your test scores affect your chances and whether retaking the test could make a difference.

"Final Thoughts"

Whether or not you agree with the role standardized tests play in admissions, staying informed is essential. For schools requiring SAT or ACT scores, a thoughtful preparation strategy can make a difference in your college journey.

Check back regularly for updates on test policies and other admissions trends. Good luck with your applications!

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