Princeton to Reinstate SAT/ACT Scores for 2027 Admissions Cycle

Princeton, New Jersey – Princeton University announced Thursday that it will require undergraduate applicants to submit SAT or ACT test scores starting with the 2027–28 admission cycle. This decision ends a seven-year period of test-optional admissions that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the test-optional period, which began in June 2020, many students faced reduced access to testing centers. Princeton’s administration stated that data collected over the past five years demonstrated that students who submitted test scores performed academically stronger than those who did not.

“The decision to resume testing requirements follows a review of five years of data from the test-optional period,” the university explained. “Academic performance at Princeton was stronger for students who chose to submit test scores than for students who did not.”

Many peer institutions, including Harvard, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania, have announced similar reinstatements for their admissions policies, with plans set to begin in the 2024–26 cycles. Columbia University remains the only Ivy League school with a permanent test-optional policy.

Princeton’s decision marks a significant shift in admissions strategy, aligning it with other elite institutions focused on balancing admissions rigor with fairness. The university noted that standardized tests are just one element of their holistic application review process.

Active military personnel applying to Princeton will not be held to the same test score submission requirement, acknowledging their limited access to testing facilities.

“Active members of the military who opt to apply to Princeton without an SAT or ACT score will not be at a disadvantage in our process,” the university reiterated. All components of an applicant’s academic and extracurricular context are reviewed.

This decision is expected to affect the incoming class of 2032, who will begin their studies in the fall of 2028. Princeton’s administration aims to ensure that the admitted students are prepared to meet the academic challenges of the university.