**What changed and why it matters**
A recent report from The College Investor confirms that every Ivy League university except Columbia now requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of undergraduate admissions. After several years of test-optional policies driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the return to required standardized testing marks a clear policy shift for highly selective U.S. institutions. For international applicants — including many students in Jordan and the wider Middle East — the change affects file completeness, scholarship eligibility and comparative evaluation against U.S. peers.
**How this affects students in Jordan and the region**
Students planning to apply to Ivy League schools or other selective U.S. universities must update their testing timelines. Admissions timelines mean you should plan at least two test administrations before application deadlines (one to set a baseline score and a second to improve). For students targeting Early Action/Decision (typically November deadlines), take your SAT/ACT no later than September of your application year; for Regular Decision, aim for a test date by December. Check local test center availability in Amman and other regional centers — international test dates and seat limits can fill quickly.
**Practical steps and timelines**
1) Verify each university’s current testing policy and superscoring rules on its official admissions website (policies can still vary by campus). 2) Register early at College Board (SAT) or ACT.org; account for international registration deadlines and potential additional ID requirements. 3) Build a realistic prep schedule that includes timed practice tests and familiarization with the 2026 ACT format changes (fewer questions, more time per section) which may affect pacing. 4) Send official score reports by application deadlines — unofficial screenshots are not sufficient for final admission decisions.
**Context and broader trends**
The reinstatement of required scores at the Ivies comes amid wider debate over standardized testing’s role; some U.S. states are simultaneously moving toward alternative entrance exams, and business schools continue to publicize average SAT/ACT and GPA benchmarks for competitive applicants. That means standardized scores will again play a larger role in holistic evaluations, scholarships, and merit-based awards — particularly at top-tier institutions.
**How Shatnawi Education can help**
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help Jordanian students evaluate which tests to take, build a testing timeline, and prepare for the revised ACT format and SAT strategies. We offer assistance with test registration, score sending, and interpreting each Ivy school’s specific requirements so applicants submit complete, competitive files.
For tailored guidance and application planning, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp at +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com. Act now: confirm test dates, book a center, and schedule your first practice test to meet upcoming application cycles.