The College Investor reports that every Ivy League university except Columbia University now requires applicants to submit standardized test scores, marking a decisive shift away from the pandemic-era test-optional approach. For international applicants — including students in Jordan and the wider Middle East — the policy change has immediate implications for application strategy, timelines, and preparation.
Admissions at Ivies are extremely competitive: schools that have reinstated testing are signaling renewed emphasis on quantitative and standardized measures alongside grades, essays, and extracurriculars. Applicants to selective undergraduate business programs should note recent data from Poets & Quants showing average SAT/ACT and GPA benchmarks at top business schools — a helpful reference for setting realistic score targets. Expect that admitted student profiles will again skew toward higher test scores, increasing pressure on students who postponed testing during the pandemic.
What students should do now: first, verify each target university’s current testing policy on its admissions website (policies vary by school and may include superscoring, optional essay, or program-specific requirements). Second, register for the next available SAT or ACT date as soon as possible — international seats can fill early. Third, book test preparation (tutoring, practice tests, timed sections) and plan to send official scores well before application deadlines. Many U.S. early-action and early-decision application deadlines fall in November; regular-decision deadlines typically fall between January and February. Allow extra time for international score reporting and verification.
Consider alternatives cautiously. A rising number of U.S. states and some institutions are experimenting with the Classic Learning Test (CLT) and other assessments, but most top U.S. universities still prioritize SAT/ACT scores. Before opting for CLT or other tests, check that your target schools accept them and how they interpret scores relative to SAT/ACT benchmarks.
Local context and practical tips for Jordanian students: reserve test centers early (Amman and regional centers may announce limited international administrations), confirm ID and photo requirements for test day, and budget for score-reporting and possible test resits. International students should also prepare to submit contextual materials — school profiles, grade translations, IB or A-Level results — because admissions officers combine test scores with academic context.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can review your target-school policies, help set score targets based on programs (including competitive business schools), and assist with test scheduling and application timing. For personalized guidance, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com.