Vanderbilt has now joined the growing list of highly selective universities that have returned to test-required admissions following a post-COVID period of test-optional admissions. The momentum for test requirements continues to grow. Yale and Columbia announced their return to SAT and ACT requirements in May and June, respectively, and the University of California is considering reinstating testing requirements following the faculty revolt against the lack of academic readiness of students admitted without standardized test scores.
Timing
Vanderbilt is giving students plenty of time to line up their testing plans, as it is putting this policy into effect for rising sophomores who will graduate and matriculate to college in 2029.
Rationale for Requiring Test Scores
Vanderbilt offered the standard rationale for reinstating testing: in analyzing its institutional data, it found that test scores, when considered as part of a holistic review process, provide “valuable information that can help identify students who are best positioned to thrive at Vanderbilt.”
Anticipated Impact on Admissions
In reinstating testing requirements, Vanderbilt does not need to worry about any negative impact on admissions, as it is currently admitting a record low 2.8% of students who apply regular decision. Although this change to the admissions process will likely lower the number of applicants to Vanderbilt, students will still be banging down the doors to secure a coveted spot.
Anticipated Impact on Score Ranges
In recent years, Vanderbilt has been admitting many students without test scores. On the 2024-2025 Common Data Set, Vanderbilt reported that only 27.4% of students submitted SAT scores and 24.6% submitted ACT scores: roughly half of the class was admitted without testing. Test scores for the submitters have risen in the test-optional era. The middle 50% of SAT scores has narrowed from a range of 1470-1570 pre-pandemic (2020 CDS) to a range of 1510-1560. The middle 50% of ACT scores has similarly narrowed from a range of 33-35 to a range of 34-35. When everyone in a class must submit testing, including those with less competitive scores, these score ranges are expected to expand, but likely not to 2020 levels. The bar for admission is getting higher at Vanderbilt across every metric.
Looking Ahead
More colleges will follow in Vanderbilt’s footsteps and reinstate testing requirements. The entire national conversation around testing has changed following the revelations from the University of California pertaining to the shortcomings of its test-blind experiment. As reported by the University of California, MIT, UT Austin, the Ivies, and more, test scores and academic preparedness go hand in hand. Every college that reinstates testing gives permission to the next college to follow suit. Test scores and selective admissions will continue to become more closely intertwined, and we will continue to cover these stories as they develop.
