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No SAT/ACT required · 2025-26
This list includes every Common App college whose official 2025-26 policy is "never required" (N) or "ignored if submitted" (I). Schools marked I are test-blind — they will not look at scores even if you send them. Another 313 schools are test-flexible (S/F); check any school’s detail page for its exact policy.
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Source: Common Application 2025-26 first-year grid, updated Oct 24 2025. Always verify with each college before submitting.
What is the difference between test-optional and test-blind?
Test-optional (N — never required) means you choose whether to submit scores, and strong scores can still help. Test-blind (I — ignored) means the college will not consider scores at all, even if submitted.
Should I still submit my SAT/ACT to a test-optional college?
If your score is at or above the college’s middle 50% range, submitting usually helps — it can also unlock merit scholarships. Below the 25th percentile, most consultants advise withholding.
Are the Ivies test-optional in 2025-26?
Mostly no. Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell (most colleges) have reinstated testing requirements, shown as policy A on our grid. Columbia remains permanently test-optional. Always verify on the school’s detail page.
Can a test-optional application still be competitive at selective schools?
Yes — but the rest of your application carries more weight. Grades, rigor, essays, and recommendations must independently prove academic readiness. A diagnostic can tell you where you stand.