Executive Guide
Research Summary: The Ivies Brought Back Test Scores, but 90% of Colleges Still Don’t Require Them
- Original authors
- Attribution requires verification
- Original source
- Inside Higher Ed
- Summary & Analysis prepared by
- Aziz Shuaib Ausi
- Resource type
- Research Summary / Knowledge Resource
- Resource published on AZIZ OS
- 29 August 2026
- Last updated
- 8 October 2026
- Reading time
- 1 min
- Publication type
- Executive Guide
- Availability
- Open access
About this Summary & Analysis
AZIZ OS provides independently prepared summaries and analytical interpretations of externally published research and knowledge sources. The underlying works remain attributable to their original authors and rights holders. This resource is intended to improve accessibility and understanding and does not replace the original publication.
Recent data from FairTest indicates that a substantial majority of colleges, approximately 90%, continue to maintain test-optional admissions policies, despite a few highly selective universities, specifically the 'Ivies,' reinstating standardized test score requirements. This trend suggests a bifurcated approach within the higher education sector regarding admissions criteria.
Why it matters
This information is strategically important as it highlights evolving admissions standards across the higher education landscape. Institutions must assess their competitive position and strategic objectives in light of prevailing test-optional trends versus the return to testing requirements by some prominent institutions, which can influence applicant pools and institutional diversity.
Key insights
- Approximately 90% of colleges do not require standardized test scores for admission.
- The 'Ivies' have reinstated standardized test score requirements.
- Even among the highest-ranked universities, the majority remain test-optional for the current academic year.
- The data is sourced from FairTest.
Source
Inside Higher Ed — https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2026/08/28/90-colleges-dont-require-test-scores-2026-27
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This is an authenticated AZIZ OS resource record.
- Verification ID
- ASA-EXG-2026-00814
- Version
- v1.0 · r0
- Issued
- 29 August 2026
- Resource prepared by
- Aziz Shuaib Ausi
- Resource status
- Research Summary / Knowledge Resource
- Underlying work
- The Ivies Brought Back Test Scores, but 90% of Colleges Still Don’t Require Them
- Original authors
- Attribution requires verification
- Original source
- Inside Higher Ed
- Provenance status
- Attribution requires verification
- Rights
- Underlying publication rights remain with the respective copyright holder(s). Refer to the original source for authoritative publication and licensing information.
This verification confirms the AZIZ OS resource record and its documented provenance. It does not establish authorship of the underlying external work.