What International Students Need to Know About SAT/ACT Testing in 2026

In my work with international students and globally mobile families, testing policies are one of the most common areas of confusion in the U.S. admissions process. Over the past several years, standardized testing policies in U.S. college admissions have changed dramatically. Many universities moved to test-optional policies during the pandemic, leaving families wondering whether SAT or ACT scores still matter. Although many universities still maintain test-optional policies, some selective institutions such as Stanford, Penn, and Harvard have begun reinstating SAT or ACT requirements. At the same time, more students are choosing to submit scores, even when testing is optional.

Although many universities continue to offer test-optional admissions, recent data suggests that standardized testing is regaining importance in an increasingly competitive application landscape.

Are U.S. Colleges Requiring the SAT or ACT Again?

Some are.

A growing number of universities have begun reinstating testing requirements, particularly more selective institutions. Others continue to use test-optional policies, meaning students can choose whether or not to submit scores.

However, “test-optional” does not necessarily mean “test-irrelevant.”

This distinction is especially important for international students.

In many cases, strong SAT or ACT scores can still strengthen an application, particularly for students applying from:

• unfamiliar educational systems

• countries where grading systems are difficult to compare internationally

• systems focused heavily on final exams

Test scores can help provide additional academic context.

What Happened During the 2025–26 Application Cycle?

The latest Common App data revealed several important trends:

• Applications increased 5% year-over-year

• The average student submitted 6.59 applications

• First-generation applicants increased by 13%

• International applications decreased by 9%

One of the most notable shifts involved standardized testing.

Although only around 5% of Common App institutions currently require SAT or ACT scores, the number of students submitting test scores increased substantially this year.

Nearly 784,000 students submitted test scores during the 2025–26 cycle — an 11% increase from the previous year.

This marked the first time since before the pandemic that more students applied with test scores than without. The trend suggests that many applicants increasingly believe strong scores may still strengthen an application — even at test-optional schools.

Why Are More Students Submitting Scores Again?

There are several likely reasons.

1. Increased Competition

   Application numbers continue to rise, especially at selective universities. As more students apply to more schools, applicants are looking for additional ways to distinguish themselves academically.

2. Greater Clarity Around Testing

   In the early years of test-optional admissions, many students were uncertain whether scores truly mattered. Now, several admissions cycles later, families and counselors have more data. It has become increasingly clear that submitting strong scores can strengthen an application.

New ACT Changes International Students Should Know About

The ACT has changed significantly over the past year. It is much shorter, now taking closer to two hours instead of three. One of the biggest changes is that the ACT Science section is now optional.

Under the new format:

• the composite ACT score will be based only on English, Math, and Reading

• students who choose to take Science will receive a separate Science score and STEM score

This has created some confusion because universities are still determining how they will evaluate the optional Science section.

At the moment, only a relatively small number of universities specifically require or recommend the ACT Science, although policies vary by institution and intended major. For students applying to STEM programs, taking the Science section may be worthwhile.

The ACT is only available in digital format outside of the U.S. Unlike the Digital SAT, however, it is not adaptive. All students still receive the same questions in the same order regardless of performance during the exam.

What This Means for Students

The changing testing landscape can make planning more complicated.

Students should pay close attention to:

• whether universities require testing

• whether ACT Science is recommended for intended majors

• superscoring policies

• scholarship requirements tied to testing

Should International Students Take the SAT or ACT?

The answer depends on the student, their academic profile, and the universities they are considering.

In general, testing may still be worth considering for students who:

• are applying to highly selective universities

• have strong testing ability

• come from less familiar educational systems

• want to strengthen academic comparability

• are applying for merit scholarships

Students with weaker scores, however, may still benefit from applying test-optional at many institutions.

There is no universal answer.

Final Thoughts

The U.S. admissions landscape continues to evolve, and testing policies remain one of the most confusing areas.

While many universities still allow students to apply without scores, recent application trends suggest that more students submit them.

Testing strategy is never one-size-fits-all. In my work with students, testing strategy is always personalized based on the student’s academic profile, strengths, university goals, and the specific admissions policies of the schools they are considering.

Students planning ahead may also find my U.S. College Application Timeline for International Students helpful.

Top College Application Tips for 2024

I recently had a great discussion about the current state of college admission with test prep expert Laura Heslin Whitmore of Strategic Test Prep. We spoke about all things related to the college application and have some great advice for students and their families. Check out the video for top college application tips for 2024 related to:

• Score choice vs sending all scores

• Should you go test-optional?

• Early Action vs Early Decision and Regular Decision

• Personal statement/college essay topics

• Extracurricular activities and how to shape your resume

• Who, how and when to ask for recommendation letters

• What to do if your application is deferred or you are waitlisted

• FAFSA

• The importance of campus visits

• Is demonstrated interest important?

  and so much more!

Stay tuned for our next post all about the digital SAT and how to prep!

Test Optional: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?

In the ever-evolving landscape of college admissions, one question continues to perplex students, parents AND counselors: Should students take the SAT? Last summer, more than 1900 colleges were test optional, test-free or test-blind. In 2024, we have already seen several selective universities, including MIT, Cornell, Yale and Brown announce that they will once again require test scores of some sort (each policy is frustratingly different or vague) for the next application year. Many others have stated they will not go back to requiring test scores yet, if ever, but there is still the potential for more colleges to return to requiring test scores. Frustratingly, it is difficult to understand how the test-optional schools are using test scores and what the effects of submitting or not submitting scores have on applications. So, should students still take a test? The answer depends on various factors, including individual circumstances, college preferences, and future academic goals. Unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as it once was.

First and foremost, students should assess the requirements and preferences of the colleges to which they plan to apply. Many colleges have published data on what % of past accepted students submitted test scores and what the average test scores were. Is the university accepting more students who submit test scores than not? Looking at recent data, it is clear that many selective universities are accepting students who submitted test scores at a higher rate than those who did not. At some schools such as GA Tech and Emory, the early acceptance rate of students who submitted test scores this year was double that of students who did not. Students should research the admissions policies and data of the schools on their list. Also, take into consideration that these policies seem to be changing a lot right now, it may be safest to plan on testing if you are aiming at highly selective universities.

Another factor to take into consideration is if SAT or ACT scores are required to be eligible for certain scholarships. For example, students applying for Florida Bright Futures or Louisiana’s TOPS award are required to have certain SAT and ACT scores to be eligible for the state scholarship. Some universities also have generous merit scholarships when students have a combination of a certain GPA and test scores such as the University of Mississippi and Texas Tech. If obtaining a merit scholarship is of great importance to you, focusing on getting a high SAT or ACT score could be helpful.

Furthermore, students should consider their own academic strengths and weaknesses. For some students, standardized tests like the SAT provide an opportunity to showcase their abilities and distinguish themselves from other applicants. Some students may be lacking in other areas of their application and the test score could be a highlight. On the other hand, students who struggle with standardized testing or do not score well may find that their talents are better reflected in other aspects of their application, such as grades, extracurricular activities, and essays.

Additionally, students should weigh the potential benefits of taking a test against the challenges and stress associated with preparing for and taking the exam. While a high SAT score can bolster an application, it's essential to consider whether the time and resources invested in test preparation could be better spent on other endeavors, such as pursuing academic interests, engaging in community service, or cultivating leadership skills. When making testing plans, I discuss how much time is realistic for my students to prepare for the tests and how they truly feel about testing before we schedule future SAT or ACT sittings. If I find that a student does not have time or will not dedicate the time to truly prepare for the tests, then it is not worth taking the test multiple times.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to test is a highly personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. While standardized testing remains a significant factor in the college admissions process for many students, its importance is evolving in light of changing policies and perspectives. By carefully weighing the pros and cons and considering their unique circumstances, students can make informed decisions that align with their goals. So, to SAT or not to SAT? There is no simple answer. At ACM, we help students weigh the pros and cons of testing and map out a testing plan to meet their goals.

College Planning for Juniors

If you have not already begun, it is time to get started! Juniors who begin planning for college now will give themselves a few extra months to prepare quality applications and find better fit schools. Unfortunately, many students delay planning until the summer before senior year and end up squeezing months of work into just a few weeks before they submit their applications which are often sub-par. Here are a few things to work on over the next few months to help you prepare to apply for college before you begin senior year.

COLLEGE SEARCH

Begin researching colleges online and thinking about the qualities you want your future school to have. Often, students do not know what they want until they actually set foot on a few campuses. Planning now allows you plenty of time to do some visits this Spring while the semester is in full swing and you can get a feel for student life on campus. Use your breaks and weekends to do some campus visits. If you can not visit, do your best to research online and connect with past or current students to get more information.

RESUME BUILDING

Take the time to truly write down everything you have done throughout high school. Include activities both in- and outside of school as well as jobs, hobbies and awards. Write quality descriptions of the activities and your role in the organizations. Doing this now will give you a better picture of what may be missing. While it is not a good idea to suddenly add lots of new activities or clubs, you still have time to increase your involvement in what you currently do and add things which complement it. Writing your resume now will also make the process of completing your application later much simpler.

TESTING

If you begin preparing now, you have months to prepare for the Spring and Summer SAT and/or ACT test dates. You should allow yourself 4-6 weeks to prepare for the tests and by taking them earlier, you will have time to get your scores, work on your areas of weakness and retake them before you have to submit your applications. Also, taking these tests early will give you an idea of where you stand and what level of schools you should consider your targets, safeties and reaches. Students who end up taking their tests in the Fall of senior year face the added stress of having to worry about getting the new scores added to their applications and making sure they arrive in time to be considered.

ESSAYS

The Common Application recently announced that their essay prompts for the 2020-21 application year will remain unchanged from the past year. This means you have plenty of time to brainstorm and write your best essay. Schools which require other essays may not announce them until later in the summer, but you can get this one out of the way early and often times it can be re-used for schools which do not use the Common Application. Take the time to write several drafts and review for grammar and content improvements.

CAREER EXPLORATION

A very important part of college planning is figuring out what you want to study. While you may change your mind several times throughout the next few years, you can do some exploration now to get on the right path. Organize job shadows, internships and/or summer exploration programs to help you dig a little deeper into potential careers and college majors. Do not be afraid to ask family and connections for help with organizing these opportunities. Even if it is only for a few hours or days, that may be all that’s needed to help you eliminate or solidify your interest in something.