Dear Mr. Bradshaw,

Which top colleges require the SAT or ACT? How should I prepare? Is there one section of the test that is harder than the other that I should focus on?

Signed,

High School Junior

Dear Junior,

Top colleges in the United States typically require either the SAT or ACT as part of their admissions process. These standardized tests serve as a measure of a student’s academic readiness for college-level work and provide admissions officers with a standardized way to evaluate applicants from diverse backgrounds. While many colleges have become test-optional in recent years, several prestigious institutions still require these exams.

Let’s explore some of these colleges and their policies regarding the SAT or ACT:

Harvard University: As one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Harvard requires either the SAT or ACT for all applicants. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Harvard has temporarily suspended its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

Stanford University: Stanford is another top-ranked university that typically requires either the SAT or ACT. Like Harvard, Stanford has also suspended its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT, known for its rigorous academics and innovative research, traditionally requires either the SAT or ACT. However, MIT also announced a temporary suspension of its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

Princeton University: Princeton University, renowned for its commitment to undergraduate education and research, usually requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. Similar to other Ivy League institutions, Princeton has waived its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech, a world-leading science and engineering institute, typically requires either the SAT or ACT. However, for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles, Caltech has announced a temporary suspension of its testing requirement.

Yale University: Yale, another Ivy League institution known for its academic excellence and historic campus, traditionally requires either the SAT or ACT. However, Yale has waived its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

University of Chicago: The University of Chicago, famous for its intellectual atmosphere and emphasis on critical thinking, usually requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the university has adopted a test-optional policy for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

Columbia University: Columbia, an Ivy League institution located in New York City, typically requires either the SAT or ACT. However, for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles, Columbia has suspended its testing requirement.

Cornell University: Cornell University, a prestigious Ivy League university with a diverse range of academic programs, usually requires either the SAT or ACT. However, Cornell has waived its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn): UPenn, an Ivy League institution known for its interdisciplinary approach to education, typically requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, UPenn has waived its testing requirement for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles.

As to how to prepare for the test? I highly recommend taking a SAT prep course at Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/digital-sat). It is free and can be taken anytime.

The key to doing well on these tests is to focus on the critical reading section which tests vocabulary and reasoning comprehension. Math and writing skills are important, but critical reading is usually the most difficult section of that test to master.

Improving your verbal performance will help not only on standardized tests but in the classroom as well. The time you put into mastering reading skills will reap test performance dividends. It will also assist you in the math and writing sections of the SAT. One way to improve verbal performance is to increase your fact retention accuracy and reading speed. This takes a great deal of practice.

While these colleges traditionally require the SAT or ACT, it’s essential to check each institution’s website for the most up-to-date information regarding their testing policies, especially considering the temporary changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, applicants should remember that meeting the testing requirement is just one aspect of the admissions process, and colleges consider various factors when evaluating applications, including GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Gerald Bradshaw is an international college admissions consultant with Bradshaw College Consulting in Crown Point.