Major Ivy League institutions — all except Columbia, according to a recent report from The College Investor — have reinstated requirements that applicants submit standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT. The shift reverses much of the test-optional movement that colleges adopted after 2020 and has immediate implications for international applicants who plan to apply to U.S. Ivies for fall 2027 and beyond.
For students in Jordan and the wider Middle East, the change means standardized testing must again be a central part of college planning. Competitive Ivy applicants typically present strong scores alongside high school records, advanced coursework (IB, A‑levels), and substantive extracurriculars. If you had been relying on a test-optional strategy, revise your timeline now: register for upcoming SAT or ACT administrations in Amman or neighboring centers, allow time for at least one retake, and ensure official score reports reach each institution before application deadlines.
Practical next steps: target competitive score ranges (many admitted students score in the upper percentiles — generally 1450–1600 SAT or 32–36 ACT), though exact targets vary by school and program. Early Decision/Early Action deadlines commonly fall in early to mid‑November; Regular Decision deadlines are typically in January. Register at least two months before test dates to secure a local seat, and plan a final test no later than October or November of your application year to allow reporting time. Also confirm English-language requirements (TOEFL/IELTS) for non-native speakers, as those remain separate from SAT/ACT policies.
This policy change may disadvantage applicants who lack access to test preparation or testing centers; admissions offices say they will continue to weigh full applications holistically, but objective scores are again a prominent filter. Students should therefore strengthen other elements of their application: teacher recommendations, research or internship records, national exam scores, AP/IB results, and clear personal statements. For those concerned about affordability, look into fee waivers for SAT/ACT registration and financial aid options when applying.
Shatnawi for College Admissions and Academic Consultations can help Jordanian students interpret each Ivy’s current testing policy, select which exam (SAT vs. ACT) suits them best, build a testing timeline, and arrange prep and score submission. For tailored guidance on deadlines, target scores, and alternative pathways if testing access is limited, contact Shatnawi early. For immediate support, WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com.