Are Colleges Still Using the SAT and ACT in 2025?

(Short answer: Yes—many still are.)

(Yes, the SAT and ACT are still in use in college admissions—but how schools use them varies widely.)

Some schools now require them again. Top-tier schools like Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown, MIT, Caltech, and Stanford have reinstated testing requirements for the Class of 2029. Even Yale is now “test-flexible,” allowing SAT/ACT or AP/IB scores. (Harvard Gazette)
Others remain test-optional. This means you can submit scores if you want to, and they'll be considered—but not required. Over 1,800 schools still follow this model. (FairTest)
Some are now test-free. Schools like the University of California and California State University systems have gone completely “test-free”—they don’t look at scores at all. (UC Admissions)

Even at test-optional schools, great SAT/ACT scores can help:

Boost your admissions chances. Strong scores show you're college-ready and can balance out a lower GPA or limited AP/IB access.
Open scholarship doors.Many states and schools award automatic or competitive merit aid based on SAT/ACT thresholds. (Examples: Florida Bright Futures, University of Alabama, Oklahoma State, and more.)
Access honors programs. Higher scores can gain you entry to honors colleges with perks like priority registration, smaller classes, or additional funding.
Skip remedial classes. Some colleges use SAT/ACT scores to place students into higher-level math or English, saving you time and money.