Colleges That Don’t Require SAT/ACT (Class of 2026) — Test-Optional & Test-Free List

What “no SAT/ACT” really means

• Test-free / score-free: The school won’t consider SAT/ACT at all (even if you send it).
  • Biggest examples: University of California (all 9 campuses) and Cal State (all 23 campuses).

• Test-optional: You choose whether to send SAT/ACT. If you don’t, your application is still complete and fully reviewed.
  • Still the majority of U.S. four-year colleges for this cycle.

• Test-flexible (new at some elites): You must send some standardized score, but it can be SAT/ACT or AP/IB (your choice).
  • Example: Yale (Class of 2026 cycle) requires one of SAT, ACT, AP, or IB.

🎯 Class of 2026 timing: You’re applying Aug 2025–Jan 2026 to enroll Fall 2026. All policies below refer to this cycle.

Quick map for 2025–26 (Class of 2026)

A) Test-free (no SAT/ACT considered)

University of California (UC) — Test-free for admissions & UC-awarded scholarships; scores only for placement. University of California Admissions

California State University (CSU) — Test-free for admissions; scores only for placement. Cal State University

B) Test-optional (you can apply without SAT/ACT)

Selected well-known examples (not exhaustive):

• UChicago (test-optional + “No Harm” policy). College Admissions at UChicago
• Columbia (permanently test-optional). Columbia Undergraduate Admissions
• NYU (test-optional for 2025–26). New York University
• Princeton (still test-optional for fall 2026 applicants). Princeton University Admission
• UIUC (test-optional for first-year applicants). University of Illinois Admissions
• Indiana University Bloomington (test-optional). Office of Admissions
• University of Washington (scores not required). Office of Admissions
• Arizona State University (scores optional; not required for merit scholarships either). ASU Admissions
• University of Arizona (scores not required for admission or institutional merit or Honors). The University of Arizona
• Texas A&M (test-optional). Texas A&M University Admissions
• USC (Southern California) (test-optional; USC materials reflect test-optional policy, including recent cycles). Undergraduate Admission
• Tufts (test-optional). Tufts Admissions
• Wake Forest (test-optional since 2008). Undergraduate Admissions
• University of South Carolina (Columbia) (test-optional through Fall 2026). University of South Carolina
• UVA (test-optional for Fall 2026 entrants). University of Virginia Admissions

💡 Many more publics remain test-optional (e.g., several Big Ten/ACC/SEC schools). Always check the specific campus page before you finalize a list.

C) Schools that do require standardized tests this cycle

(Useful so students don’t assume they’re optional everywhere)

• Harvard (SAT/ACT required; alternatives accepted only in exceptional cases). Harvard College
• Yale (required test-flexible: SAT/ACT/AP/IB). Yale College Admissions
• Brown (SAT or ACT required). Brown University Admission
• Dartmouth (SAT/ACT required). Dartmouth Admissions
• MIT (SAT/ACT required). MIT Admissions
• Caltech (SAT/ACT required). California Institute of Technology
• Cornell (testing required starting with Fall 2026 entry—applies to this cycle). news.cornell.edu
• Stanford (testing required starting with applicants to the Class of 2030—your cycle). Stanford News
• University of Pennsylvania (SAT/ACT required with waiver option for hardship). Penn Admissions
• UT Austin (SAT/ACT required again beginning Fall 2025 apps; deadlines posted). UT Austin News
• Ohio State (Columbus campus) (SAT/ACT required beginning with this cycle). Ohio State News

“Should I send scores?” — a 30-second chooser

Send scores if either is true:

• Your SAT/ACT ≥ the school’s recent median (or clearly within mid-50%).
• Your transcript is uneven and a strong score adds evidence of readiness.

Go score-optional if:

• Your GPA/rigor/trend is strong and your score sits below the school’s typical range.
• You’re applying to test-optional or test-free schools where scores add little.

(When in doubt, check each school’s profile and policy page. Many list mid-50% ranges or explicitly say “no disadvantage” without scores. Examples above.) College Admissions at UChicago+1

Fine print that trips students up

• Program exceptions: A few majors (e.g., Nursing at some schools) may still require/recommend testing even if the university is test-optional. Always read the major/college page within the university site.
• International & English proficiency: Test-optional doesn’t remove TOEFL/IELTS/DET if English is not your first language. Some schools allow SAT EBRW/ACT English to meet proficiency.
• Scholarships & placement: Many test-optional schools award merit aid without SAT/ACT (see ASU/Arizona), and use scores only for course placement after you enroll.
• Superscoring/score choice: Policies vary (e.g., Cornell/Harvard superscore SAT/ACT, some accept AP/IB as alternative—see each page).

Copy-ready page blocks for Scholarshipsandgrants.us

H2: 2026 Seniors — Colleges that don’t require SAT/ACT

• Test-free systems: UC (Berkeley, UCLA, etc.), CSU (23 campuses). (Admissions & scholarships consider no SAT/ACT.)

• Test-optional favorites: UChicago, Columbia, NYU, Princeton, UIUC, Indiana (Bloomington), Washington (Seattle), Arizona State, University of Arizona, Texas A&M, USC, Tufts, Wake Forest, South Carolina, Virginia. (See notes above; verify any major-specific exceptions.)

H2: Schools that do require scores for the Class of 2026

Harvard, Yale (test-flexible), Brown, Dartmouth, MIT, Caltech, Cornell, Stanford, Penn, UT Austin, Ohio State (Columbus). (Applicants must plan testing timelines accordingly.)

FAQ

Q1. Is “test-optional” the same everywhere?
No. Some schools are permanently test-optional; others renew year-by-year; a few are now test-flexible (Yale). Always read the school’s official testing page linked above.

Q2. Do UC or CSU consider scores for scholarships?
No—UC and CSU are test-free for admissions and institutional scholarships; scores may be used for placement after you enroll.

Q3. If I don’t submit scores, will I be disadvantaged?
At test-optional schools, official guidance says no disadvantage; review each page and the most recent class profile. (Examples: UChicago “No Harm,” USC materials.)

Q4. I’m international. Do I still need an English exam?
Usually yes (TOEFL/IELTS/DET). Some schools allow SAT EBRW/ACT English to meet proficiency.