Where the Ivies Stand on Testing — And How to Think About It If You’re Starting From Zero
If you’re just beginning to think about college admissions, the role of testing can feel unclear. You may hear some people say the SAT and ACT don’t matter anymore, and others say they’re essential. The truth sits in the middle: test scores don’t define your intelligence or potential, but they do help colleges evaluate how prepared you are for college-level work.
During the pandemic, every Ivy League university adopted a test-optional policy. In the years that followed, several schools reviewed the outcomes of those cycles. Princeton shared that applicants who submitted SAT or ACT scores during the test-optional years generally performed more strongly once enrolled. Dartmouth noted that without standardized testing, it sometimes became harder to identify students with exceptional academic potential, particularly in schools where grading systems vary widely. MIT, though not an Ivy, also reinstated testing after concluding that test scores, when evaluated in context, helped them better predict which students would succeed in their curriculum. These decisions did not come from the belief that tests measure intelligence, but rather from recognition that the exams offer another academic datapoint—especially in an admissions landscape with diverse grading systems and varied access to advanced courses.
As of now, Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, Cornell have all reinstated requirements for either the SAT or ACT. Princeton will require scores beginning with applicants for Fall 2028. Yale still requires applicants to submit standardized testing but allows students more flexibility in which tests they choose to use, including AP or IB exam scores. Columbia remains test-optional, meaning students may apply without scores, though strong scores can still strengthen an application when submitted.
The PSAT, which many students encounter in 10th or 11th grade, is simply a practice exam. It is not reported to colleges. Its purpose is to give students a clear, low-pressure baseline—a snapshot of where their skills currently sit and where growth may happen.
If you are in 9th or 10th grade, there is no need to rush into formal prep. A thoughtful approach begins with clarity: take one diagnostic SAT and one diagnostic ACT—ideally near the end of 10th grade—to see which format fits your thinking style. From there, preparation can build gradually, often beginning in the summer before 11th grade when schedules are calmer. Many students take their first official test in late fall or winter of 11th grade, and a second attempt in spring once they’ve strengthened skills and built stamina. The goal is not to chase a perfect score; it’s to grow steadily, with consistency mattering far more than intensity.
A thoughtful testing plan isn’t about achieving a perfect 1600 or 36. It’s about building readiness over time — a skill that carries well beyond the admissions process.
At Ivy Link, we help students understand the role of testing in the context of their academic story—choosing the right test, planning preparation timelines that reduce stress, and building confidence step-by-step. If you’d like guidance in mapping out that path, we’re here to help you begin with clarity and direction.
