Princeton University has announced that undergraduate applicants will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores beginning with the 2027–28 admission cycle. This decision marks the end of a seven-year test-optional policy that was initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Context of the Admission Policy Change
Since the onset of the pandemic, several peer institutions have altered their testing requirements. Schools such as Harvard, Penn, and Brown have also reinstated standardized testing, with changes effective in either the 2024–25 or 2025–26 academic years. In contrast, Yale has adopted a flexible policy allowing students to choose from multiple testing options, including Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate scores. Columbia University has shifted to being permanently test-optional.
Early Announcement
Princeton’s announcement comes significantly earlier than those of its peers, impacting the incoming Class of 2032, who will matriculate in the fall of 2028. The University claims that standardized test scores are important predictors of academic success. A review of data from the past five years indicated that students who submitted test scores performed better academically than those who did not.
Reasons for the Policy Reinstatement
- Initial pause in testing requirements due to COVID-19 in June 2020.
- Extensions of the test-optional policy for three additional years (2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24).
- 22% of the Class of 2029 applied without test scores, as per The Daily Princetonian’s Frosh Survey.
The only exemption to the test submission requirement applies to active military personnel, who may experience difficulties accessing testing centers. Princeton stated that military applicants without SAT or ACT scores will not face disadvantages in the admission process.
Holistic Review Process
Princeton emphasizes that its application review process remains holistic and comprehensive. They consider all aspects of a student’s application rather than solely focusing on test scores. The University reiterated that there are no minimum test score requirements for admission.
