Who Still Wants Your SAT in 2025? A Map of ‘Test-Back-On’ Colleges
College Admissions
Jun 10, 2025
As top universities reinstate SAT requirements for 2025, this guide helps you navigate policies and prepare effectively.
Big changes are here for college admissions in 2025: Many top universities are bringing back SAT requirements. After years of test-optional policies, schools like Harvard, Yale, and UT Austin are now requiring standardized test scores again. Here's what you need to know:
Why the Change? Colleges cite grade inflation and research showing SAT scores help predict academic success.
Who Requires the SAT? Ivy League schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, and Brown, plus public universities like UT Austin and UF, are reinstating testing.
What About Test-Optional? Some schools remain test-optional, but submitting strong scores can still help your application.
How to Prepare? Tools like ChatSAT can help you set score goals, focus on key areas, and maximize your superscore.
Use our interactive map to see which colleges require, recommend, or remain test-optional for 2025. It’s your guide to navigating these changes and creating a winning SAT strategy.
The SAT/ACT requirement is making a comeback. Here's why. (+ Which Schools Require Test Scores 2025)
Colleges That Want Your SAT Scores in 2025
As we move toward the 2025 admissions cycle, many colleges are shifting back to requiring SAT scores. This marks a departure from the pandemic-era policies when about 80% of undergraduate institutions adopted test-optional approaches by 2022. Notably, over half of the Ivy League schools will once again mandate SAT submissions for the 2025–2026 cycle.
Top Colleges Requiring SAT Scores
Several prestigious universities are reinstating SAT requirements for upcoming admissions cycles. For example:
Harvard University will require SAT/ACT scores for Fall 2025 applicants.
Yale University has reinstated its SAT/ACT requirement for the 2024–2025 cycle, offering flexibility for alternative scores like AP or IB exams.
Stanford University plans to bring back its standardized testing requirement for the 2025–2026 application cycle.
Institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have also returned to requiring SAT/ACT scores. Caltech's policy will apply to Fall 2025 admissions. Dartmouth College, citing the value of standardized tests in assessing academic abilities, reinstated its requirement for the 2025 cycle.
Brown University led the charge among Ivy League schools, reversing its test-optional policy for the 2024–2025 cycle after data highlighted the tests' role in evaluating academic readiness. Cornell University will follow suit, requiring standardized tests for Fall 2026 applicants.
Outside the Ivy League, other competitive schools are adopting similar policies. Georgetown University has consistently maintained its SAT/ACT requirement, while Purdue University reinstated its requirement for Fall 2024. State universities are also part of this trend. The University of Texas at Austin will require SAT/ACT scores for Fall 2025 applicants, and schools like the University of Florida (UF), University of Georgia (UGA), and Florida State University (FSU) continue to mandate test scores.
"Our experience during the test-optional period reinforced that standardized testing is a valuable tool for deciding who is admitted and making sure those students are placed in majors that are the best fit. Also, with an abundance of high school GPAs surrounding 4.0, especially among our auto-admits, an SAT or ACT score is a proven differentiator that is in each student's and the University's best interest."
President Jay Hartzell, UT Austin
Superscore vs Single-Score Policies
How colleges evaluate your SAT scores can have a big impact on your testing strategy. Some schools use superscoring, which combines your best section scores from multiple test dates, while others rely on a single-score approach, using only the total score from one test.
For example, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has updated its policy to allow superscoring for 2025 applicants. This gives students a chance to showcase their best performance across multiple attempts. Meanwhile, Princeton University takes a unique approach by superscoring only within the same test format - either digital or paper SATs - without mixing scores from both formats. With 83% of Fall 2023 test-takers preferring the Digital SAT, most students will likely stick to the digital version.
Even colleges that don’t officially superscore may still consider your highest section scores across test dates. This nuanced evaluation means it's worth tailoring your preparation to each school's specific scoring policy.
Here’s an overview of sample policies at some colleges:
Sample College Policies | Superscore SAT | Superscore ACT | Score Choice Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
Georgetown University | Yes | – | Requires All Scores |
Princeton University | Yes | Yes | Recommends All Scores |
Duke University | Yes | Yes | Score Choice OK |
Carnegie Mellon University | Yes | – | Score Choice OK |
Amherst College | Yes | Yes | Recommends All Scores |
Understanding these policies can help you decide whether to retake the SAT and how to present your scores strategically.
Average SAT Scores at Top Colleges
Knowing the typical SAT score ranges at competitive schools can guide your preparation. Colleges that have reinstated testing requirements often expect scores that align with their rigorous academic standards.
Standardized tests allow colleges to evaluate students from varied academic backgrounds on a consistent scale. They also help identify talented candidates who might not stand out in GPA-based evaluations alone. To set realistic goals, check each school’s admissions page for details about their applicant pools. Many colleges publish percentile scores, which can give you a clear sense of where your scores should fall to remain competitive.
Setting Your SAT Score Target
After reviewing college SAT policies, the next step is setting a personalized score target to guide your preparation. Knowing the score ranges for your target schools is key to setting a realistic goal. With many colleges reinstating SAT requirements for 2025, having a clear target will help you channel your study efforts effectively.
Average SAT Scores by College Type
SAT score expectations vary widely depending on the type of college. While the national average SAT score is around 1,050, competitive schools demand much higher scores. For the most selective universities, a composite score of at least 1,550 is often expected.
Ivy League schools, for example, generally have middle 50% ranges between 1,480 and 1,580. Other top universities, like Stanford, typically look for scores between 1,510 and 1,570, while MIT expects scores in the range of 1,520–1,580. Georgetown University, on the other hand, accepts scores ranging from 1,390 to 1,530.
Liberal arts colleges also set high benchmarks. Schools like Harvey Mudd College and Pomona College expect scores between 1,480 and 1,560, while Williams College looks for a range of 1,470–1,560. Even test-optional schools during the pandemic, such as Bowdoin College, reported ranges of 1,480–1,550 for submitted scores.
State universities tend to have more accessible score ranges but still remain competitive. For instance, the University of Texas at Austin, which reinstated its SAT requirement for Fall 2025, has a range of 1,230–1,500. Meanwhile, the University of Virginia expects scores between 1,410 and 1,510, and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor typically looks for scores from 1,360 to 1,530.
College Type | Average SAT Score Range |
|---|---|
Ivy League | 1,480–1,580 |
Top Universities | 1,230–1,580 |
Liberal Arts Colleges | 1,300–1,560 |
To strengthen your application, aim for a score in the 75th percentile or higher for your target school. For example, if the middle 50% range at a college is 1,400–1,500, targeting at least 1,500 will place you in the top quarter of applicants.
Using ChatSAT to Plan Your Score Goals
ChatSAT offers tools to help you plan and achieve your SAT goals. Its Urgency Detector compares your current scores with your target, using data from official Bluebook sections, College Board Question Bank problems, and ChatSAT drills. This allows the system to create a personalized roadmap for improvement.
The AI Study Director designs customized week-by-week schedules based on your college goals. For schools that superscore, ChatSAT adjusts your plan to focus on excelling in specific sections rather than evenly distributing effort across all areas.
ChatSAT also breaks down your target into smaller, achievable steps. For example, instead of stressing over jumping from 1,200 to 1,500, the program shows how mastering specific grammar rules or math concepts can lead to steady progress. Its adaptive practice system ensures you're always working at the right difficulty level, preparing you for the expectations of your target schools.
How Superscoring Affects Your Target Score
Superscoring policies can make ambitious SAT goals more achievable. Instead of needing a perfect performance on a single test day, superscoring allows you to focus on improving one section at a time across multiple attempts.
Currently, six of the eight Ivy League schools accept SAT superscores (Harvard and Princeton are exceptions). For schools like Yale, Brown, or Dartmouth, this means you can optimize your scores by focusing on one section at a time.
"Many colleges that follow a superscore policy encourage students to submit all test scores, and some colleges require that all scores be sent. This allows them to see and consider the highest section scores consistently and fairly across all applicants." - College Board
For instance, if your target composite score is 1,500, superscoring means you don’t need to score 750 in both Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing on the same day. You could score 780 in Math and 720 in EBRW on one attempt, then 740 in Math and 760 in EBRW on another, resulting in a 1,540 superscore overall.
To maximize your superscore, start taking the SAT early - ideally in the spring of your sophomore year or the fall of your junior year. This gives you enough time for multiple attempts to refine your scores. Even if you’re applying to test-optional schools, a strong SAT score achieved through superscoring can help you stand out. Research has shown that high standardized test scores correlate with college success.
Before planning your testing schedule, check each college’s specific superscoring policy. Some schools require all scores to be submitted, while others allow score choice or recommend submitting all scores. Knowing these details can help you decide whether to prioritize section-specific improvements or aim for balanced increases across multiple attempts.
How ChatSAT Helps With 2025 SAT Prep
Preparing for the SAT can feel overwhelming, especially with the demanding requirements for top scores. That’s where ChatSAT steps in, using artificial intelligence to create a tailored learning experience that aligns with your goals. By focusing on your specific needs, ChatSAT ensures your SAT prep is as effective as possible.
AI-Powered Study Plans
ChatSAT's AI Study Director takes the guesswork out of planning. It evaluates your real-time performance to pinpoint the areas that need the most attention, creating a week-by-week study schedule based on your current scores, target goals, and how much time you have before test day.
The platform doesn’t just track your progress - it adapts. Whether you’re practicing with official Bluebook sections, the College Board Question Bank, or ChatSAT’s own drills, the Urgency Detector uses this data to adjust your priorities. As test day approaches, it shifts your focus to high-impact topics, ensuring you’re spending time where it matters most.
For students aiming to improve specific sections under superscoring policies, ChatSAT tailors its plans to maximize gains in those areas. Each study session begins with a quick AI-driven micro-lesson, breaking down key concepts through guided explanations and short comprehension checks. This ensures you understand the material before diving into practice questions.
Instant Feedback and Targeted Practice
ChatSAT doesn’t just tell you what to study - it helps you understand how to improve. After every practice session, you’ll get immediate feedback that highlights your strengths and pinpoints areas for improvement. If something doesn’t make sense, the "Ask-Why" button lets you flag it, and the system will jump in with an explanation right away.
The platform’s feedback system tracks your performance in real time, monitors your mastery of topics, and offers tailored recommendations for your next study session. It doesn’t stop there - ChatSAT revisits challenging concepts until you’ve mastered them, ensuring no weaknesses are left unaddressed. This focused approach means every minute of your study time is spent boosting your score.
Tools to Keep You on Track
Staying motivated during SAT prep can be tough, but ChatSAT’s planning tools make it easier. By breaking down your target score into smaller, manageable milestones, the platform helps you see how your daily efforts contribute to your overall progress. This step-by-step approach reduces the stress of long-term goals.
The Urgency Detector keeps everything on track, constantly updating your study priorities based on your progress and the countdown to test day. With clear daily plans, you’ll always know exactly what to work on, eliminating the stress of deciding where to start.
Conclusion: Succeed With 2025 SAT Requirements
Staying informed about SAT policies gives you an edge in the ever-changing college admissions landscape. While many institutions remain test-optional, a notable number still require SAT scores. Plus, with an 11% increase in test submissions from 2023–2024 to 2024–2025, the importance of strong SAT performance is clear.
Maria Laskaris, a private counselor and former Dartmouth Dean of Admissions, highlights the stakes:
"Applicant pools at top schools who are still test-optional (including Columbia University and Princeton University, among others) will see larger shares of high-scoring students in their applicant pools, making it harder for most students to gain admission without top scores."
Educational consultant Alex Trefftz from Know Your Options emphasizes the value of taking the test:
"Plan on taking the test, because it still has the opportunity to help you if your test scores tell a similar or better story to the overall academic picture painted by your transcript."
These expert insights underline the need for a well-thought-out test strategy. Start by researching each college's SAT policy and setting realistic score goals based on the middle 50% ranges of admitted students. Consistent preparation can lead to a 100–200 point improvement for most students.
For a smarter approach, tools like ChatSAT can streamline your prep. ChatSAT’s AI-powered features - like personalized study plans, instant feedback, and the Urgency Detector - help you focus on high-impact areas as test day nears. The AI Study Director tracks your progress, ensuring every minute of study time counts. Whether you’re exploring SAT policies with their interactive map or fine-tuning your strategy, these tools can help you stay on track.
FAQs
Why are some colleges bringing back SAT requirements for the 2025 admissions cycle after going test-optional during the pandemic?
Some colleges are bringing back SAT requirements for the 2025 admissions cycle to create a more consistent and measurable admissions process. During the pandemic, many institutions moved to test-optional policies, but this raised concerns about uneven evaluations and an overwhelming number of applications without a standardized way to compare them.
Reintroducing SAT scores allows these schools to re-establish clearer benchmarks for admissions. It also helps them identify students who are academically prepared while managing the challenges of evaluating increasingly complex holistic applications.
How can I use the interactive map to find colleges that fit my SAT preferences and academic goals?
You can explore colleges using an interactive map that lets you filter schools based on your SAT submission preferences - whether they accept superscores or only single scores. By tweaking these filters, you can align your search with your academic goals and target SAT range, making it easier to find schools that fit your profile.
Additionally, tools like goal-setting widgets can help you set achievable score targets and compare median SAT scores for each college. This way, you can focus on institutions that match your strengths and ambitions. Don't forget to dive into campus details, such as location and facilities, to gather more information and narrow down your choices effectively.
How can students boost their SAT scores at colleges that use superscoring?
To improve your SAT scores at colleges that use superscoring, it’s smart to take the test multiple times and focus on boosting specific sections instead of chasing a perfect overall score. Superscoring lets colleges combine your highest section scores from different test dates, so honing in on weaker areas can have a big impact.
Schedule your test dates thoughtfully, leaving enough time to prepare and retake the exam if needed. After each attempt, analyze your results to pinpoint where you can improve, and tweak your study plan to address those areas. When it’s time to send scores, submit only the test dates that highlight your best section results to make the most of superscoring.